"BLITZTOURIST"

Evening Post, Volume CXXXI, Issue 102, 2 May 1941, Page 6

"BLITZTOURIST"

TROOPS' MAGAZINE

"A REAL SOUVENIR"

On the transport on which Lieu-tenant-Colonel F. Waite, overseas commissioner for the National Patriotic Fund Board, travelled from Britain to the Middle , East with the New Zealand troops, a magazine was published, rejoicing in the title of "The Blitztourist." The object of the production was to make it as far as possible a record of the troops' visit to England.

A committee to run the magazine was appointed, this comprising Lieu-tenant-Colonel Waite (chairman), Captain W. G. Lovie (business manager). Lieutenant C. W. McAra (associate editor), Lieutenant W. W. Mason (secretary), Lieutenant E. ■ Smith, Second Lieutenant G. Cox (associate editor), Second Lieutenant R. Murray, Mr. J. W. Hall, WOII J. D. Haybutt (assistant business manager). Colonel Waite, a writer of ability himself, arranged publicity, and the troops were kept well in touch' by means of notice boards.

In one of his reports to the National Patriotic Fund Board recently, Colonel Waite says that competitions for humorous story, cover design, drawing, skit, advertisement, and incident in England was held, the prizes being provided out of patriotic funds. The response by contributors to "The Blitztourist," the title chosen, was' very encouraging, some of the art work being particularly good.

The magazine was printed at a cost of £ 123 2s 6d. It was a great success, so much so that the proceeds from sales more than paid for the cost of the printing. "Four ' thousand copies were ordered," stated Colonel Waite in his report, "and $ie price was fixed at Is a copy. The proceeds not only paid off the cost of printing, but gave an additional £71 5s 6d for redistribution to the unit regimental funds. The publication proved so popular that the demand considerably exceeded the supply, and orders had to be rationed. The result is that copies are prized and it has become a real souvenir magazine."