MAXIMUM OF COMFORT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26216, 29 July 1946, Page 7

MAXIMUM OF COMFORT

DOMINION TROOPS IN JAPAN COMMANDER’S PROMISE (N.Z. Official Correspondent with the J Force.) Chofffi July 23. After 10 months of suggestion and trial, the original and necessarily hasty plans have been replaced by a more closely defined scheme for making possible greater comfort of accommodation and more extensive facilities for recreation for the troops of the British Commonwealth ’ Occupation Force. Peace-time standards will be the basis of all changes. For the New Zealanders these improvements vary from the installation of new refrigerators and a new type of cooker to the building of completely new barracks. Approval has been given for a - new 300-bed hospital for the 6th New Zealand General Hospital, the construction of which is to begin next August and should be finished in five months. For the 22nd New Zealand Battalion there is to be a new barracks at Shimonoseki, several miles from the present camp at Chofu. This will be fitted with every possible comfort. Building will begin in August, and will probably take six months.

It has been decided that no change of site is necessary for-the troops stationed at Yamaguchi, but the present barracks will be completely renovated. New barracks will be built for all base units, the proposed site being Ozuki airfield. This project will probably not be finished before March, 1947. All New Zealand supplies are now to come through the 8.C.0.F. Canteen services have been integrated, and amenities will possibly be treated similarly. Lieutenant-general Rdbertson, the commander-in-chief, has laid it down that the troops are to have the maximum of comfort and has given an assurance that so long as the New Zealand Force asks for what it"wants supplies will be forthcoming.