Palmerston North’s Lack Of Sleeping Quarters

Manawatu Times, Volume 68, Issue 59, 11 March 1943, Page 4

Palmerston North’s Lack Of Sleeping Quarters

Per Press Association. WELLINGTON, Mar. 10. Reports that overseas servicemen had to sleep on benches in the Bquare at Palmerston North during tho week-end were brought to the notice of the Prime Minister in tho House of Representatives by means of an urgent question from Messrs J. llodgeus (Lab., Palmerston North) and L. G. Lowry (Lab., Otaki). They suggested that if the conditions were as reported there should be a supply of Army huts, of some arraugcinent made with the local A.N.A. Club to cope with such emergencies. The Prime Minister, who is.actingMinister of Defence, replied that tbo position was due to insufficiency of accommodation in the cities Rnd towns when largo numbers of men were granted week-end and other leave. fcio far as our own troops were concerned, the situation was more or less controlled by the fact, that they generally went to their homes, but when overseas service men were given leave and travel facilities these arrangements were made by their own headquarters. All th A.N.A. and other servicemen ’a clubs who interested themselves in the welfare of the men operated to the fullest degree in Palmerston North and everywhere else to meet accommodation difficulties, lie would certainly have inquiries made into the position which was reported to have arisen in Palmerston North, and every possible effort would be made by the Army authorities, the Patriotic Board, and by the clubs themselves to meet exceptional conditions. Special provision for overseas servicemen was made in Wellington and Masterton, and he felt sure that rather than allow these men to sleep out in Palmerston North tho American Red Cross would take up the matter without delay.