HELPING SOLDIERS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 9871, 17 January 1918, Page 7

HELPING SOLDIERS

AN INTERESTING REPORT ' / FROAI CHAIRMAN OF N.Z. WAR CONTINGENT ASSOCIATION. Following is a copy of a letter received bv Air L. 6. H. Tripp, chairman of the Advisory Beard of N.Z. Patriotic War Relief Societies, from Air I. W. Raymond, chairman, of the N.Z. War Contingent Association, London, under da It- November 28th. 1917 : Since vou were- ‘last communicated with there has been a good deal of internal change in-the office, bu t I am glad to say that matters are now settling down and the machinery is working smoothly. You quite Understand that the greatest section of our work .'comes under the head of ministering to the sick and wounded, and are, no doubt, aware that practically all our., financial resources are supplied through the New Zealand Red Cross.

There is a ‘good deal of work douo in connection with fit men, and personally X think that still more might he done under this head with very great advantage to the men. which, after all, is what patriotic organisations are primarily interested in. .-

For the information of your hoard I desire to sav that the m'oney. coming in through the Red Cross is ample to maintain present requirements. Entertainments entail a largo outlay, but I am convinced that money spent under this head has obtained good value. The O.C.’s of the various hospitals have written expressing the view that those entertainments, such as drives, and concerts, are an “essential, part of the treatment of the patients.” It will interest you to know thatthe patients in the New Zealand hospitals fare hotter than those in any other that I have visited. The O.C.’s and their staffs ere invaria-Wy efficient, kindly and sympathetic. The food is good and supplied in ample quantities and i.» well cooked. I have not heard more than half a dozen complaints during the many visits I have paid to hospi tals. , .

The fit men. that is’ to say, men on furlough from France or from the convalescent camps, are rather a difficult proposition. The association would like to do more for these men, if it were possible to do so. and to do it with practical results. They do not need mothering; they,,have arrived in Lou don for a holiday, dr, as they put it, for a good time. After a few days here the majority migrate to Scotland or Ireland, and return in tine to rejoin their camplife, or to go to France. ’ The Soldiers’ Club ih Russell square has been an enormous benefit to these boys; It is always full, and accomodation often has to bo found outside. There is good reason, foq-.its c.,popularity : it is .■lsplohdidly,';, conducted .add;, economically riin the food supply is of the best and fully SO per cent, cheaper -in value' than, what can be obtained anywhere else. - ■ / The staff of cooks and waitresses is entirely voluntary, and with one or two exceptions wholly Now Zealanders. This fact alone exercises a great influence for good and helps to make the club a centre of attraction to .the, hoys who are anxioqs.-.to womenkind .who know about them and their country. Concerts and dances are held ait this club as frequently as possible. I think everything is being done that reasonably can be done. I am satisfied that the members of the association and their hand of helpers would only irritate and annoy the hoys if they tried to push themselves, too much.into their life during.; theirr short -rholiday.; i / ; >r , , That cases arise- where •>!s6me:; member of the forces has discreditcd_ himself is a rare occurrence, hut when it does occur it is onn of. those events that one could almost sav is remarkable because it does' not occur more frequently. We continue to have many applications for help for football outfits, and in season, for cricket materials, and possibly for' a contribution towards a billiard-table of the furnishing of some club or mesa room; These only cpme from what is known as “detached” units, that is, units that have been sent away for some .considerable distance to do some special work, and therefore have no call upon the regimental funds. . _ Tho association considers that these requisitions are a legitimate clainj upon their funds, and after carefully considering the case invariably , grants some contribution. It will be remembered that when the application for the expenditure of £IOOO was made from the board, some time ago, General Richardson intimated that there would he no occasion to remit any money to units in France. It did not occur to'hint that'the; detached units required' football and r o.thei’ material, and had no funds by which they could obtain it. Subsequently ,he realised the position and has approved various applications which the association has responded to. . There are other requisitions of a similar nature that have to bo held over or turned down because of lack of funds. I would suggest, therefore, that your board might see their way to remit a further sum of £IOOO to be expended under the discretion of the committee, in supplement of your previous very acceptable contribution of £IOOO. which is only used for the entertainment of fit men on leave from France.

Practically all our funds are earmarked for special objects, and therefore many reasonable applications have to be refused. Our accounts for the year ended September 30th are practically complete, and only await the auditors’ certificate. Copies will bo forwarded by an earlv mail. If there are other points that you are interested in and require elaborating, I shall be pleased, at any time, to do so, and to answer any inquiries that you care to. make;