MEN AT THE FRONT

Otago Witness, Issue 3211, 29 September 1915, Page 5

MEN AT THE FRONT

SUPPLY OF NECESSARIES. INFORMATION WANTED. (From Oob Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, September 24. In the Legislative Council to-day the Hon. G. Jones asked whether the New Zealanders ;t the Dardanol'es Avould be provided by the military authorities with all clothing, etc., necessary to secure, as far as os able, their health and comfort during the winter; also Avhother the authorities' would effectively publish what requisites, i? any, the public Avere expected to supply and the most advantageous and economical means of forwarding parcels to the troops at the front. The Hon. Sir Francis Bell said the answer of the Defence Dcpaitment was that careful provision had been made by the defence authorities, acting in conjunction Avith the Imperial Army Council, for the health and comfort of the soldiers at the Dardanelles during the Avinter months. As regards clo.hing, etc., the Defence Department had also taken adA'antage of the generous offers of assistance from private committees and individuals in this regard, and a committee of ladies had been bjisy for some time in making leather waistcoats, Avhich Avould be taken on the transports with the next reinforcements. The public were advised by posters at the post offices as to the routes and rates for most ad-A-antageously forwarding goods to the front. The Hon. Mr Jones said there was some doubt as to Avhat the Military Department Avould provide and what Avould be provided by pri\'ate persons. For instance, he was given to understand that leather belts Avere quite necessary, but if the authorities were going to provide these articles private individuals Avould not need to send them to the front. With regard to parcels, ho said there Avas a Avant of knowledge on the part of the public as to_ the best method of sending these. For instance, he Avent into the Auckland Post Office to send a muslin shirt soaked in carbolic acid to the front, and because it was in a hermetically-sealed tin case ho Avas told that the postage would be Is 3£d. Three times the weight could be sent for the price asked for that one small parcel. He still thought it would be far bettor if the military authorities would state distinctly Avhat they wore going to supply to the soldiers at the front, and what the public could supply to make the soldiers as comfortable as possible.