WITH TROOPS AT HOME

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24449, 7 November 1940, Page 5

WITH TROOPS AT HOME

Y.M.C.A. DIFFICULTIES ASSISTANCE FROM COMMISSIONER “ MOBILE TEA UNITS BEST ** “ Immediately the British Y.M.C.A. learned of the arrival of the Second Echelon of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force in Great Britain, it offered material assistance to the members of the association accompanying the force by supplying three marquee tents fully equipped," writes Mr J. Kennedy official representative, from Home. “ Canvas was one of our most difficult problems. Military authorities simply turned a deaf ear to us. We literally sat on the doorstep of Divisional Headquarters until they became so sick of us that we finally managed to secure what we wanted,’’ he said. “We made a point of seeking out the High Commissioner, and he has been outstandingly helpful. He said that so far as he was concerned the Y.M.C.A. was the only organisation to be recognised officially in this sphere of work. It was through his influence that we were presented with our first tea van.”. An establishment in Charing Cross handed over to the organisation for 5s weekly (the pre-war rental was £BSO per annum), nas been found extremely useful by New Zealand troops. Two large rooms on the ground floor are being used as a general information bureau and a lounge with reading and writing facilities. A huge basement serves for the storage of kits and haversacks when men are on leave. , Since the camps had been scattered in a command covering some 660 square miles, it had been difficult to serve them all. On manoeuvres a mobile canteen had proved its worth, Mr Kennedy said. Men welcomed a cup of tea after existing on dry rations all the time. “In our eagerness each of us at some time was in front of the front line, and we were quietly told not to do it again, or some day we might be blown up.” the writer continued. “The best investment for our money here is mobile tea canteens This is also the considered view of the British Y.M.C.A. It has 300 vans, and is increasing its fleet by 10 a week.