N.Z. CLUB IN ROME

Grey River Argus, 24 November 1944, Page 2

N.Z. CLUB IN ROME

NIGHT LEAVE RESTRICTION WELLINGTON, November 23. There appeared to be some misunderstanding concerning the overnight leave restriction imposed on otnei ranks” in respect to the New Zealand Forces Club in Rome, stated Mi. G. A. Hayden, Secretary of the. National Patriotic Fund Board. . lheie had been a tendency, based on lack ot knowledge of the Position 10l some members of the New ZeaLd a Division in Italy in letters to relatives and friends in this country to blame the patriotic authorities for the tact that “other ranks” had not been allowed to stay overnight at the Club in Rome, and that had created an unfortunate impression among some people in the Dominion. The tact was that the prohibition was not imposed by the Patriotic organisation nor by the G.0.C., 2nd N.Z.E F., but by the Allied High Command. The club was a unit of the 2nd N.Z.E. . Brigadier A. S. Falconer, acting patriotic commissioner in the Middle East, stated in a report received a few weeks ago that when the club was visualised by the New Zealand G.0.C., it was his intention that hostelry accommodation should be available’ for all ranks, and it w.as in fact available in the hotel that had been taken over to establish the club. Prior to the opening, however an order was issued by the High Command restricting overnight leave in. Rome to commissioned officers, members of the Women’s Services, .and . trooos on duty. The New Zealand G.C.C. did his best under the circumstances by arranging for parties ot men to be brought into Rome from the Division in order that they might see the city during the daytime. They left their quarters early m the morning and arrived back late at night. The patriotic authorities could not be held responsible for the fact that “other ranks” Were not permitted to stay overnight in the club. N.Z. PATRIOTIC FUND AUCKLAND, November 22. Comment on the work of the National Patriotic Organisation , in the Pacific war zone is contained.in' a letter received by the Mayor (Mr. Allum) from pilot Officer K. L. Usmar, formerly secretary to the Auckland Provincial Patriotic Committee and now a catering officer attached to the R.N.Z.A.F. in the Pa’cinc “The service given by the National Patriotic Organisation here is just wh.at I had always hoped a patriotic organisation would give,” states Pilot Officer Usmar. “In my association with the movement in New Zealand I was forever encountering criticism that the Pacific authority overseas was operating as a trading concern and that our servicemen had to pay for amenities provided out of funds subscribed by the people of New Zealand. I am bound to say that I felt the criticism was justified. Here, however, the policy is refreshingly different. The ‘Nat Pat’ as the organisation is familiarly known, does attend to needs without charge. An outstanding example is the morning and afternoon cup of tea and biscuits. One has to be in the tropics to know what that means. Tea has proved itself the best thirst-quencher in this climate. With the number of personnel concerned the cost over a year may amount, to several thousand dollars, but what ever the monetary cost it is trifling compared with the results the expenditure produces.”