NEW ZEALANDERS IN ENGLAND

Nelson Evening Mail, 24 July 1916, Page 5

NEW ZEALANDERS IN ENGLAND

"WELFARE WELL CARED FOR.. (Australia-a and N.Z. Cable Association.) (Bee. Julv 24, 9.20 a.m.) "LONDON, July 23. The New Zealand Soldiers' Club will be opened at Russell Square on Ist August. The War Contingent Association realised the urgency oi establishing social headquarters now that New Zealanders are in France, and a sub-commit-tee was entrusted to carry the project through, and given entire control, the Association providing the funds. The sub-committee themselves contributed J2SCO. By arrangements with the War Office they obtained three mansions and a corner block with the use of gardens, comprising a square. The military approve ox the scheme, as providing the men with home-like surroundings without military restrictions. within a few minutes of the Record Office and the 'War Contingent rooms, Southampton Itou-.

The Association aimed to attract the New Zealanders to a good neighbourhood to avoid loitering in the slums. The War Contingent Association is to arrange for their reception and provide comfortable accommodation for 200 and direct others to approved boarding houses in the .-vicinity, also to act as an information bureau, and to arrange outings. The staff is composed' entirely of New Zealaaders. Sympathetic supervision resulted in the New Zealanders making an excellent impression.

The .Association arrangements enable them to deal with any number arriving. The club will be self-supportiiirr and. established entirely by funds publicly subscribed, and rjie businesslike management has made it a complete success.

J It is expected that there will be considerable dissatisfaction regarding the military assumption of control of Walton Hospital, which the War Contingent Association established and managed with conspicuous success. The military, upon the ground that the troops are pampered, recently exercised pressure, resulting in the .Association's executive, under protest, handing over the Hosoital forthwith. Probably a meeting of the Association will be called to consider the view of I making representations to the people of I the Dominions.