COMFORTS FOR TROOPS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 265, 8 October 1940, Page 4

COMFORTS FOR TROOPS

GRANTS IN EGYPT. Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Oct. 7. In a report’dated September -6 ■Mr Victor Jones, who went away as tbo Patriotic Fund Board’s representative in Egypt, mentions that tlio troops have taken tile field. Grants' from the funds have been made to each of the units on the basis of os per head, to bo spent on'fresh fruit and vegetables, cigarettes, reading materials, radios, and recreational gear. There have been other Substantial payments from the funds, and they serve to underline the cost involved in providing comforts for a large body of men and the need for substantial public support to enable tlio board to fulfil its responsibility to all members of tlio forces overseas. He mentions, for example, that approximately £3OO xvent for freight oil gift goods, £3OO for a noxv mobile unit, and £l3O for cool drinks for unit picnics; 150,000 cigarettes had been distributed to the sick in hospital and sight-seeing transportation given to over 000 convalescents. Four additional radio sets had been sent to the desert and a gift comprising personal toilet articles and other goods xvas placed aboard a ship bringing back discharged men, xvliile £lO5 had been advanced for entertainment in port en route. Mr Jones has received an appointment xvitli the British Army and Mr F. E. S. Long, another Y.M.C.A. officer, is acting, in bis stead.