Welfare Of Troops In Japan

Northern Advocate, 14 January 1948, Page 3

Welfare Of Troops In Japan

’ SYDNEY, -Wed.—A violent clash of opinions is developihg among Australian observers concerning the moral and material welfare of the 8000 Australian soldiers in Japan. A statement by Mr B. J. McDonald, president of the League of Ex-Service-men and Women, that soldiers in Japan were suffering from “moral dry rot” and that amenities were “shockingly few,” has drawn immediate fire from Lieutenant-General H. C. H. Robertson, Commander-in-Chief of the British Commonwealth Occupation Force, who is now in Melbourne. “Any statement that the moral and spiritual welfare of the troops under my command in Japan is neglected is fantastically absurd,” said General ’Robertson today. BEST EVER ‘ “Never have troops had better accommodation and amenities than have the British Commonwealth sailors, soldiers and airmen.” He added that increased numbers cf chaplains of all denominations were with the troops and that improvised chapels had been replaced by dignified churches erected at the expense of the Japanese Government. Welfare organisations were- in full operation. All forms of outdoor sports were being played and concert parties from the home countries were constantly on tour. Other provisions included picture shows almost every night, a service radio station which was on the air 16 hours a day, and an active educational '.system.