DOING SPLENDID JOB

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 4 August 1941, Page 4

DOING SPLENDID JOB

ORGANISATION IN SYDNEY NEW ZEALAND AUXILIARY WAR UNIT DEFENCE MINISTER’S PRAISE Wellington, This Day. The work of 500 New Zealanders domiciled in Sydney who formed an organisation to provide comforts, hospitality and recreational facilities for New Zealand personnel passing through that city was warmly praised by the Minister of Defence. Mr F. Jones, to day. This organisation which is known as the New Zealand Auxiliary War Unit of New South Wales, is doing a splendid job of work, said the Minister, ar.d it is anxious to do still more. In fact, added Mr Jones, he had received a request from the committee to advi 6 all service personnel that a warm wei come awaited them in Sydney shouT.l * they be passing through, and he was quite sure our lads would appreciate meeting their fellow countrymen in Australia. Rooms for the auxiliary have been made available at the New Zealand Government Tourist Bureau, 14 Martin Place, Sydney, and these are used as a meeting place, library, rest room and enquiry bureau. Entertainments, such as parties, tours and harbour trips were arranged for New Zea- : land service men and comforts such as cigarettes, socks and balaclavas supplied free to the men in need of them, and in the case of men returning from 'overseas full kits have been supplied. Invalided and wounded soldiers were visited in hospital and given fruit, tobacco, etc. All work was on a voluntary basis, : said Mr Jones and the funds of the unit were kept up by donations from members. However, a subsidy was being made in the future from the New Zealand Patriotic Fund Board. Patrons of the unit were Lady Julius and Mr W. Taylor, the New Zealand Trade Commissioner, while the chairman and honorary organising secretary were Mr A. R. Cameron* and Mrs Linda Ferguson ; respectively. i Mr Jones added that the New Zealand Government deeply appreciated the efforts of these New Zealanders to help service personnel who were visiti ing Sydney.—U.P.A.