HAND OF WELCOME

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 90, Issue 8, 10 January 1946, Page 8

HAND OF WELCOME

AUSTRALIAN PORTS RETURNING N.Z. TROOPS The value of having hospitality centres at Australian ports at which returning New Zealand Service personnel may call on their way back to the Dominion is shown by figures given to-day by the National Patriotic Fund Board concerning New Zealanders who have visited the Haeremai Club in Market Street, Melbourne. This club is run by New Zealanders resident in Melbourne and Australian friends, and is supported by the board. Provision was also made during the war for hospitality to New Zealand service people calling at Perth and at Sydney. After shipboard life the run ashore is welcomed by the men and break is made even more pleasant when meals, and, if time permits, when dances and outings are provided. That is the kind of service that has been given by these centres in Australia, and NewZealand residents there have been given splendid help by many Australians. The Haeremai Club in Melbourne was formally opened on May 24 last year, but it was not until June 6 that it began to cater daily for service personnel. Returns forwarded to the Patriotic Board by the chairman of the club committee, Mr. W. E. Hancock, show that up to the end of December 8696 service personnel had visited the club. In June there were 117 visitors, in July 269, and the number jumped in August 1o 2050. In that month the hospital ship Oranje arrived at Melbourne and was followed by the Strathaird carrying a big party from the Middle East. The number of visitors in September was 2893, in October there were 1892. in November 556, and in December 919.

COOKING UNDER DIFFICULTIES From June to the end of December, the clui) provided 9(7 lunches, 8576 morning and afternoon teas, and 648 hot suppers. This performance is the more praiseworthy in view of the fact that in November and December the centre was severely handicapped by gas rationing in Melbourne due to the strikes on the Newcastle coalfields. During that period it was necessary to adopt a fair amount of improvising to enable the cooking to be done, even to the extent of using methylated spirit stoves. When New Zealanders arrive at Melbourne they are handed cards as they go ashore, welcoming them to the' city and inviting them to makefull use of the club’s services. They are also given cards introducing them t.G hostesses when parties are sent, to dances and other functions. A number of New Zealand women resident, in Melbourne and Australian friends staff the centre and act as hostesses at the club. All the helpers are voluntary workers.

Outings into the country and visits to private hoves a'ro arranged when possible; and fresh fruit and newspapers are sent to the ships. Hospital ships have also been supplied with parcels containing chocolate and cigarettes, the parcels being packed in the club’s rooms.

Many letters of appreciation have been received from New Zealand servicemen. In a letter written in December Driver W. R. Webb says: “On behalf of my soldier colleagues and myself, may I take this opportunity of expressing our sincere appreciation for everything that you have done towards making our stay in Melbourne the most enjoyable over. Many thanks for all the entertaining evenings which you so kindly arranged." A BUSY JANUARY The club was closed over the Christmas holidays to give the club workers a brief respite before turning again to welcome the New Zealanders who will be returning this month. Besides this shore hospitality, provision is made out of patriotic funds for extras for the men during the voyage. For those coming from the United Kingdom a canteen coupon system has been introduced during recent months, these being met out of cash grants.