N.Z.E.F. WELFARE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 21632, 8 February 1945, Page 6

N.Z.E.F. WELFARE

FRONT-LINE SERVICE “GOOD AS~AMERICAN” COMMISSIONER’S VIEWS (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Feb. 8. New Zealand's welfare services in Italy are as good as those provided for any other troops, including American, stated Brigadier A. S. Falconer, D. 5.0., M.C., of Dunedin, who has returned from the Middle East after relieving Colonel F. Waite as Commissioner of the National. Patriotic Fund Board in that area. Brigadier Falconer, who had a distinguished record in the last war. said it was interesting to return in a new capacity. He found the gift parcel system working well. It took 30 3-' ton trucks to take these parcels up to the Division, and it was a marvellous service by the people of the Dominion. Good service was being given by Y.M.C.A. field secretaries and .Church Army men, the casualties among them showing how far forward they went in their work. There is a rest-home for New Zealanders at Riecione, one of a series of seaside resorts in the Adriatic, and also a club at Florence with Italian chefs ;md kitchen staff.

”11 is rather a unique experience." said Brigadier Falconer, "to sit down ai a table waited on by waiters in tailed-coats, and to be handed a plate of bully beef.”

Speaking of the New Zealand club in Rome, lie said an Italian orchestra and some women singers gave operatic selections, and also the familiar "Roll Out The Barrel.” He saw that New Zealanders appreciated the better type of music. One could hear a pin drop when seasoned Diggers listened to a violinist playing "Ave Maria.”