MID-WINTER CHRISTMAS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26350, 3 January 1947, Page 6

MID-WINTER CHRISTMAS

ALLIED TROOPS IN JAPAN EXTRA RATIONS PROVIDED (New Zealand Official Correspondent with J Force) (Rec. 9 p.m.) CHOFU, Dec. 26. The Allied troops celebrated their first Christmas in Japan with traditional dinners, goodwill greetings, and festive spirit. For most of the men it was their first Christmas overseas and the first time they had celebrated Christmas in mid-winter. Special services were held throughout the area on Christmas Day. The most important Christmas Eve celebration was the official opening of the men’s new barracks, recreation rooms, and dry canteen at 2nd N.Z.E.F headquarters, Chofu. Much work by the men themselves and Japanese employees went into the fine large building. The beer bar was officially opened by the commander of the' force, Brigadier L. Potter. About £ 1200 was made available from New Zealand and from 8.C.0.F. funds for extra food and delicacies for Christmas dinner.

Apart from the usu?l ration, the issues to the men included chicken, duckling, pork, turkey, assorted fruits, and cream. There was also a distribution of oysters and toheroa soup. The amount spent through the canteen service to provide these extras was nearly 7s per head for every New Zealander in Japan. The allocations were Is 2d from the 8.C.0.F., Is 6d from the New Zealand Government, and 4s from the New Zealand Canteen Board. The traditional custom of the officers waiting on the men for Christmas dinner was followed. No major sports events were arranged for the Christmas Day or Boxing Day holidays, but several friendly interunit football matches were played The only item of Christmas fare which the units had to pay for was the beer ration of two bottles per man. The great significance of Christmas to the occupation forces was impressed on thousands of Japanese families by the traditional festive parties held for Japanese children under 10 years in the New Zealand area. In the last few days about 10,000 children were entertained by different New Zealand units. Officers and men gave chocolate, sweets, and other canteen goods from • their weekly issue, and this, together with cakes and other fare specially baked, was a treat. December 25 is a national holiday in Japan, but with that exception the Japanese day has not the religious significance it holds for Europeans. Tt was first proclaimed a national holiday in 1928 as the anniversary of the death two years before of Emperor Taisho the father of Hirohito. The Japanese transformed the day into one on which festivity and merrymaking replaced national mourning.