WORK OF WAR CONTINGENT ASSOCIATION

Evening Post, Volume XCVIII, Issue 32, 7 August 1919, Page 7

WORK OF WAR CONTINGENT ASSOCIATION

DEMOBILISATION.

(«0H OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

LONDON, 14th June,

Owing to the six weeks' delay in January and. February in the dispatch of transports for New Zealand, the life of the New Zealand War Contingent Association has been considerably prolonged. The executive has decided that so long as members of the N.Z.E.F. are in the United Kingdom it is their duty to see that the men's interests are looked after. .

Mr. I. W. Raymond, Chairman of the executive, tells me that dux-ing the last three months the clubs and recreation rooms at Brockenhurst', Boscombe, Homehurch, and Ewshott have been closed and realisations effected. Providing that transports are not detained through industrial troubles, Walton, Codford, and Oatlands will be closed py the end o£ July. The head office at High Holborn and the canteen adjoining at ; ll, Soufchamptoh Row, will probably have to keep going until the end of August. ■•'.'.

Taking the period from Ist January to the end of May, the activities of the association have included providing entertainments for the hospital patients and fit men in a variety of ways. The total number entertained in January was 10,492, February 2606, March 8498, April 8600, May 7500. Concerts, theatre parties to London, visitors .to the country vand to London, river picnics, and boating were the favourite forms of amusement. A feature of. the work of the hospitality department has ever been to secure hospitality in the country. The hosts and hostesses in the United Kingdom have been most generous in this respect, and thousands of our boys can return to the dominion having partaken of the kindness of the people here.. A buying department was found necessary, as it became known that the soldiers were being victimised by the tradespeople. This department has rendered invaluable help to the boys. ' At the canteen at 11, Southampton Row, boys from hospitals have always been entertained as guests. This canteen has been a boon to fit men during their stay in London.. It is also largely patronised by' the staff of the military headquarters. The canteen workers have valiantly stuck to their job although the war is over, feeling that now, more than at any time, the men require homely surroundings as^ they are. at loose ends. The clubs at the various camps have been a great factor in the lives of the men. They have been the popular rendezvous, and with their comfortable reading rooms, social hall, games, homemade confectionery, and good tea at prices fully 50 per cent, less than in the usual tea-rooms, have contributed substantially, towards making the soldiers less disgruntled with their lot. Providing outgoing transports with games, sports material, and deck chairs was recognised as a necessity if the men were to be kept in healthy occupation. The 0.0. of each transport is handed a cheque to cover outlay in the purchase of prizes and fruit. As nearly 30,000 men were returning, at 3s per head, this represents a considerable expenditure. It is, howevpr, money well spent. Contributions have also been made towards sports at Sling Camp and victualling men who have been taking part in the various processions held recently in London. This short sketch gives some idea of the very necessary . uses to-which the money sent from New Zealand is being put. ■