WELFARE OF FORCES

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 106, 31 October 1942, Page 8

WELFARE OF FORCES

RECREATION INSTITUTES

The expansion of the New Zealand Forces has called for a considerable increase in recreation institutes in the camps and stations of the Dominion. Twelve months ago the National Patriotic Fund Board was responsible for 49 of these recreation centres; the total now is 248, all of which have been built out of patriotic funds, except seven provided by the Army, and 34 halls, tearooms, and other small units which have been requisitioned for the benefit of the troops when they are off duty. The furnishing and maintenance of all these rest centres is also the responsibility of the board, although they are actually controlled on its behalf by welfare organisations.

In, the last twelve months over 100 pre-fabricated recreation huts have been built for the board. These can be readily erected and just as expeditiously dismantled and moved in the event of a camp being transferred to another site. Outside the camps, in the cities and towns, hostels and cafeterias have been established for the benefit of the men, this being a responsibility of the provincial councils. In Wellington the provincial council's work in this field has been augmented by the board establishing the Allied Forces Club in Manners Street.