WAR ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23953, 31 October 1939, Page 11

WAR ASSOCIATION

NEW ZEALANDERS IN LONDON PLANNING ASSISTANCE (From Our Own Correspondent) LONDON, Oct. 6. The New Zealand War Services Association, a body designed to aid New Zealand soldiers, both in France and England, has been formed. A committee met this week and discussed plans with the High Commissioner (Mr W. J. Jordan). Those present were: Miss Thurston, R.R.C. (late matron-in-chief of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force), Mrs Hal Williams, Miss Violet Russell, Mr and Mrs Walter Young, Miss T. Hanlon, Dr Bernard Myers, Mr C. J. Wray, Colonel E. ff. W. Lascelles, and Mr C. K. Knowles. All these people were able to recall essential features of the New Zealand organisations which had been set up during the last war, and the nature of the work then undertaken by them. It was generally agreed that activities would follow largely along the lines of the work of the old New Zealand War. Contingent Association. The objects of the New Zealand War Services Association should be to promote the welfare of the New Zealand fighting forces and the nurses and ancilliary services, and to co-operate with other bodies engaged in similar work in Britain. It was decided to call a meeting of all New Zealanders in London and of those who could attend from other parts of Britain, at which committees would be appointed, finance arranged, and a programme of work • decided upon. The High Commissioner said, that New Zealand House could be the focal centre for all this work. It is realised that until there is a definite announcement that a New Zealand division will fight in France little more can be done than to make plans and preparations. There have been many offers of help and assistance, including one from the Y.M.C.A., who suggest that canteens, staffed by New Zealanders, should be established for New Zealand soldiers. Baron Soren has made an offer from Paris for the loan of a house for New Zealand soldiers. Lord Bledisloe’s Offer Lydney Park, which Lord Bledisloe has generously offered to place at the disposal of the High Commissioner for use as a convalescent home for New Zealand “casualties” (if and when this public-spirited expeditionary force comes to Europe) is not one of the biggest mansions in the Old Country, but it would accommodate comfortably about 50 men. The house stands in an exceptionally beautiful deer park and is surrounded by lovely gardens. It would be an ideal place for rest and recuperation. Lord and Lady Bledisloe are not in a position to equip the house as a hospital or to provide a medical staff—they merely offer to give up their home if it is thought that use could be made of it as indicated.