COMFORTS FOR TROOPS

Evening Star, Issue 25113, 1 March 1944, Page 3

COMFORTS FOR TROOPS

OVERSEAS PATRIOTIC COMMISSIONER ADDRESS TO OTACO COUNCIL " Welfare work for the 2nd N.Z.K.F. is taken as a model tor otner armies overseas," said Lieutenantcolouel F. Wane, overseas commissioner for the National Patriotic Fund Board, in an address to the Otago provincial Patriotic Council yesterday afternoon. The general principle wa6, he said, that tiie Government provided the troops with food and clothing, but patriotic funds were used for comforts, conveniences, and amenities. Soldiers often did not know who supplied the articles distributed, and did not really care as long; as they were supplied. At one time the expending agents, such as the Y.M.C.A., Church Army, lted Cross, and St. John received the publicity' instead of the Patriotic Fund Board, which collected all the money. That position, however, had been corrected.

Although amenities . for troops had not a high priority for transport facili-. ties it was amazing how quickly parcels and other goods were distributed over the wide area in which New Zea< landers in the three forces were serving in the Middle East. The most amazing instance was the distribution of Christmas parcels to New Zealanders on the Sangro River front on December 22.

It must always be recognised, said the speaker, that this was a war of movement. Money was not being spent on permanent buildings, the board relying on temporary structures or rented premises, which could be easily vacated when the Army moved. In spite of the difficulties of keeping track of all New Zealanders who were being constantly sent to new places, tho board was looking after the men in a most satisfactory way. A balance sheet showing tho amount of money, with details from each expending agent, was circulated. In the last financial year more than £90,000 was spent, and this amount did not include the value of gift parcels, sports gear, band instruments, and other goods sent from New Zealand. In one year goods and 9 comforts to the t value of £24,057 were distributed free, and free envelopes and paper worth £10,557 were supplied to the forces. Lieutenant-colonel Waite concluded with a tribute to the work of Miss Jean Begg, who was, he said, one of tho hardest-working and best-known women in the Middle East. Mr Arthur Barnett proposed a mso of thanks to the speaker. W-