BOOKS FOR TROOPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25101, 17 December 1942, Page 4

BOOKS FOR TROOPS

COLONEL WAITE’S APPRAISAL THE RECENT APPEAL It is estimated that the recent appeal lor reading matter for the forces conducted in the four main cities and also in a number of provincial centres by the War Library 'Service of the National Patriotic Fund Board will produce approximately 60,000 books and 90,000 periodicals after the sorting process has been completed. As far as the sorting has progressed, it would appear that the quality and quantity of the contributions are better as a whole than those made to the previous appeal. The collection will assist materially m augmenting stocks on which there has been a very heavy drain this year. The board’s War Library Service caters for the soldiers, sailors, and airmen, and not only those in New Zealand, but also those overseas whenever there is the opportunity of sending fresh stocks to them. Just how much the men of the Second-N.Z.E.F. in the Middle East value the books and the importance attached to the library service by the Patriotic Board Commissioner, Lieutenant-colonel F. Waite, are indicated in a report the board received from him a few days ago. “ To many men,” says Colonel Waite, “books and reading material are more important .than other comforts.” He explains that many men, fit and convalescent, especially farmers, civil servants, and teachers, want to keep in touch with New Zealand affairs, and fn this connection he has asked for copies of certain publications relating to the Dominion. He also refers to the necessity of great armies of fit men having something with which to occupy their minds during their leisure time and to the part which books are able to play in this connection, the gathering of men in groups to play games often being out of the question and too dangerous because of air activity. Colonel Waite describes the library at the New Zealand Club as a very good one, and says that the reference books from New Zealand are used extensively by men studying for examinations in the air force. And. he adds, many have passed as a result of studying our books.