Pacific Forces

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 49, 27 February 1943, Page 7

Pacific Forces

SERVICING OP MEN. INITIAL DIFFICULTIES. In recent months the overseas responsibilities of the National Patriotic Fund Board have increased greatly. Previously the board’s biggest job has been the servicing of the men in the Middle East. Now, in addition to catering for the welfare of the troops in this theatre as well as New Zealand servicemen in Britain, air trainees in Canada, and also some scattered units, there is the important duty of providing for an increased iiumbor of men in the Pacific area. This is a matter on which a good deal of attention has been concentrated lately. The building up of a satisfactory organisation on the spot to service the men efficiently, particularly when practically all supplies have to be sent there and there arc other difficulties as well, takes time. Circumstances beyond control made it impossible to have everything in ship-shape order for the increased number of men as soon as they arrived in the Pacific theatre, but with supplies that have gone forward recently and orders that are in hand or are projected, it is hoped to have the comforts service for these troops on a good footing before long. This is not to say that little has been done for the newer arrivals in the Pacific. In point of fact consider-

able quantities of patriotic goods and equipment were sent over with the men and further supplies have been shipped since. There have been issues of gift parcels, cigarettes, sweets, cordials, biscuits, etc., and grants were made from the patriotic funds to supplement the Christmas rations. Sports gear, indoor games, stationary, and miscellaneous other items have been provided; also radio sets, picture plants and films, and cups, tables, chairs and other equipment to enable the Y.M.C.A. representatives to conduct the cafeteria services for the men. These have all been purchased with money from the National Patriotic Fund. In addition, a complete printing plant, which cost the board £IOOO, has been sent to enable the troops io have their own newspaper containing home and overseas news. First-Hand Reports. A combination of circumstances did not make the going easy at the start. Since then, however, the board has had the advantage of reports and also of discussing future requirements with an officer who is back from Noumea. Other stops have also been taken to gain first-hand knowledge of the position. In addition to items already mentioned, materials have been shipped for recreation huts, band and orchestral instruments have been sent, also weekly papers, and special library boxes so that the books in them may be inter-1 changed. Arrangements have also been made for copies of the Saturday issues of the Dominion’s principal newspapers to be forwarded regularly. Difficulty has been experienced in getting sufficient battery-driven vibrator radio sets, and as a rc-sult the,

board has had to buy them piece-meal from all over New Zealand. Recently, however, it was able to arrange for a further 70 sets to be built and these will be shipped to New Caledonia as soon as they are ready. The Board is also sending electric lighting plants for the recreation huts and libraries, and an ice cream plant, an amenity which is popular with the troops in the Middle East. In addition, arrangement have been made with the Army Educational Welfare Service for the forwarding of more picture plant, which will bo serviced with the latest American films. Although the Board has not appointed a commissioner to New Caledonia, it is represented by the senior Y.M.C.A. secretary and he will keep the board in touch with requirements, as do the representatives of the board in other parts of the Pacific and elsewhere overseas.