N.Z. CANTEEN

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 4 February 1944, Page 3

N.Z. CANTEEN

HELP REGIMENTAL FUNDS BOTTLED BEER POPULAR IN PACIFIC (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service) New Caledonia, Jan. 28. Profit sharing has long been a dream cherished by countless thousands of manual and othci workers, but whether or not itij application is practicable: ir the work-a day world, there is little doubt of its success when applied to the operation of servicemen’s canteens. V/ith an averag- monthly turnover appioximating ' O.U'O dollars, big business is being done oy the New Zealand Canteen Board in the Pacino, and, fittinsly enough, all profits are available for the benefit of the men through their respective units. In addition, liberal discounts are allowed, and from these moneys individual formations are enabled to build up regimental funds.

Under the airection of Captain R. B. (Jock) Murray, veteran soldier of World War I, in which he served for four years with the 41st (Highland) Division, the canteen staff in the Pacific is providing excellent service for Army, Naval and Air Force personnel. They preceded the move from New Zealand of the main body of 3rd N.Z. Division, and within three days of the initial shipment of goods being unloaded canteens were opened in readiness for the troops. The original canteen staff comprised one officer and live other ranks, but since the division’s move to the combat area it has been increased to two officers and ten other ranks, each cue of whom is doing a man-sized job. Cat ering for the personal requirements of servicemen and servicewomen requires an expert knowledge of merchandise and values, and in this respect 3-N.Z. Division is well served. Captain Murray, who hails from Taranaki, is assosisted by 2/Lieut. B. F. Jordan (Rangiora), J. P. O’Neil (Woodville), R. G. Pople (Auckland), W W. P. Jones (Ashburton), I. A. Fisher (Carterton), C. E. Young (Ashburton), A. Foggin (Wellington), J. A. C. King (Waipukurau), C. W. Blair (Wellington), A. McLean (Gisborne) and H. L. Watson (Ashburton).

In addition to the above, each unit has its individual canteen whose representatives buy their requirements from the bulk stores, three of which have been established in the forward areas now occupied by New Zealand troops. Supplies are sent direct from New Zealand and from American sources, and are supplemented by certain lines from the base canteen in New Caledonia.

Canteen services in the forward area were at first conducted under canvas, but now merchandise and staff are comfortably housed in serviceable buildings of a semi permanent type. The efficiency of the unit is emphasised by the fact that the first shipment of supplies reached Stirling Island from New Zealand within three weeks of the Kiwis’ successful landing. Naturally, trans-shipment of supplies is dependent on shipping facilities being available, and in anticipation of possible delays the forward canteen staff took with them sufficient stocks to cater both for the New Zealanders and their American comrades.

Principal items on sale comprise American cigarettes, cigars, candy and chocolate, toilet soap and soap powders, towels, handkerchiefs, shaving equipment, and a comprehensive range of popular American magazines, of which large numbers, it is suspected, find their way to New Zealand. Sales of New Zealand beer, when it is available, are* very big. although this commodity is strictly rationed to ensure consumer equality among all ranks. Deliveries come to hand about once a month. It is estimated that 86.000 bottles of New Zealand beer are sold each month, and up to the present sales have exceeded 1.000.000 bottles. Definitely, beer is a best seller, and it is fortunate that breakages in transit aggregate less than two per cent. Ample supplies of American beer, usually of the canned variety, augment the New Zealand product, and the Americans also cater for non-alco-hol drinkers with liberal quantities of fruit juices and cordials. “We have benefited from a wonderful spirit of co-operation on the part of the American authorities who have supplied fully 80 per cent, of the goods sold in our canteens,” declared Captain , Murray, when interviewed. “There has been no difficulty in obtaining goods. Of course,” he concluded, “there are times when the canteen is not able to supply some lines, but this seldom applies to those articles most in demand.”