A GOOD CAUSE

Evening Post, Volume CXXIX, Issue 95, 22 April 1940, Page 13

A GOOD CAUSE

SOCIAL WORK

REPORT TO PATRIOTIC

BOARD

N.Z.E.F. IN EGYPT

Writing' from Cairo to the secretary of the National Patriotic Fund Board in Wellington, Mr. Victor C. Jones, who is acting as the board's representative with the N.Z.E.F., states that he is convinced that, if the New Zealand public knew of what is being done for the troops from this country and also projected plans in this connection, patriotic funds would be readily forthcoming. Mr. Jones deals with- a number .of points of importance to the National | Patriotic Fund' Board in deciding upon the quantity and nature' of future] supplies pf goods the board will be i sending for the comfort, entertainment,. and1 recreation of- the New, Zealand Forces. He . mentions the question- of Customs duty men were required to pay on goods sent to them in personally addressed parcels from this country, a subject on which a Ministerial statement is expected shortly as to the future policy to be observed by the Egyptian Government towards the contents of such parcels. Mr. Jones adds that each man is being issued with a weekly cigarette or tobacco allowance and has the opportunity of making any purchases required through the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institute. Referring to V.M.C.A. activities, Mr. Jones says that its work covers the whole camp, Y.M.QA. committees operating in every unit. As an example of what is being done, he states that on the night before he wrote his report there were three concerts and a lecture in "the central hut. In addition, the eight writing rooms were filled to capacity, the library in every unit was functioning, and a committee meeting was held to plan for the future. "Writing materials are being heavily tised," Mr. Jones's report continues. "We have eliminated waste as much as possible, and it is safe to say that over 90 per cent, of the letters that come from JNTew Zealand troops are on our stationery." Mr. Jones concludes his report to the board by mentioning the assistance that had been given from funds made available by the National Patriotic Fund Board for the payment of Customs duty, to enable troops affected to secure parcels sent to them. A detailed report of the V.M.C.A. work for the New Zealand Forces was sent by Mr. Jones to the New Zealand national headquarters of. the V.M.C.A. In this report he makes it quite plain just what there is to do and the requirements as .he sees them for ' the future to; enable the most effective contribution to be made to the work of the military authorities. In all, he says, there are 22 V.M.C.A. centres operating, in Helwan, Maadi,' and Cairoi