CANTEENS IN EGYPT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 11, 14 January 1941, Page 9

CANTEENS IN EGYPT

SUFI'OKT GIVEN TO COMPLAINTS

VIEWS OF RETURNED MEN CHRISTCHURCH, Jan. 11. Two New Zealand soldiers who have been invalided home from Egypt, Messrs. A. R. Quartermain and J. H. Sulivan, when interviewed in Christchurch emphatically supported the complaints about canteen service in Egypt received by Mr. S. G. Holland, Leader of the Opposition, and communicated by Mr. Holland to the Prime Minister, Mr. P. Fraser. Mr. QuaTtermain said that the Australians undoubtedly got far better service than the New Zealand troops. “I understood that the troops got their tobacco duty-free," he said. “But tobacco actually costs more than it does In New Zealand.” He instanced a popular brand of tobacco whicn costs 2s 4id for two ounces in Nev, Zealand, as costing 12 piastres, or about 2s 6d. “There is a brand of tobacco sold at 104 piastres," he said. “It is absolute rubbish. It takes a man all his time to smoke It. Australian Canteens. “The Australians are muth better off, as their canteens are run by their own men," he added. “I definitely bear out everything that Is contained in the complaints received by Mr Hol-

land, and I think all the other returned men would do the same.” “The beer that is sold,” Mr. Sullivan said, "is of the lowest quality, and the price is beyond all reason, it would be in the best interests of the New Zealand soldiers if these canteens were run by New Zealanders and not by Egyptians. New Zealanders would fully understand the needs of their own troops. The food in the canteens is also of the lowest quality, and the prices are also beyond reason.” Treatment Since Return. Both Mr. Quartermain and Mr Sullivan, again suggesting that their experience would be borne out by that of others, said that they wished they could add a protest about the way they had been treated since their return. Mr. Quartermain said that he was still waiting for his mufti allowance, though he hoped that it would arrive in a day or two. He had been back live weeks. "I was. given an order on a secondhand shop for a second-hand suit," said Mr. Sullivan. "We are each allowed £7 10s to buy a multi outfit, a suit, shirts, underclothing, socks, shoes, and everything. If we fail to return any article of uniform the cost is deducted from the allowance.” Mr. Sullivan aded that his pay had ceased on December 3, and his wife's allowance at the beginning of January. He could not see how the Government expected him to keep his home going until he received his pension. 1