H.—22A.

The organization of Patriotic Fund Board activities in Egypt is carried out from a central hut, which was provided by the Board. A Committee, representative of the Y.M.C.A. officers, N.C.O.s, and men of each unit is responsible for arranging entertainment programmes, and for supervising libraries and writing and reading rooms attached to regimental institutes. A special feature of the activities of the Y.M.C.A. is the arranging of concerts, community sings, card parties, lectures, debates, and tours to places of interest. Reports from Egypt indicate that many initial difficulties have been experienced by the Y.M.C.A. organization in providing services to scattered units in the Western Desert, and that Mr. V. Jones and Mr. E. Long have spared no pains in arranging for services to be made available. At times Army trucks have been obtained for the purpose of conveying canteen and gift goods to outposts. In regard to the Y.M.C.A. work with the New Zealand Forces in England, Mr. H. Shove reports that as the troops have been constantly on the move, assistance has had to be obtained from the English Y.M.C.A. headquarters in order to cope with the work involved. Four mobile units have been provided, and these vans are taken long distances every day, distributing on an average 122 gallons of tea each day. One tea-van was provided from a special Lowry Fund, and this was placed in charge of Mr. Lowry's daughter and her husband (Mr. and Mrs. Chapman). In London rooms were opened at Charing Cross for use by men of the New Zealand Forces. Trips have been arranged to places of interest, and special attention has been given to the provision of " Leave Hospitality." One report from England states " The long fast-closing winter evenings set us a new problem. In twelve small villages we have arranged for halls and places where the boys can go. Each one is staffed by voluntary lady helpers. Some are located in barns, some in halls, one in a school, another in a disused glasshouse, another in a hall which used to be a licensed club. In these places we are providing billiards, table tennis, darts, reading-matter, and. writing-material. In order to make life interesting and bright, we procured a mobile movie unit—this works day and night." Mr. R. M. Brasted, General Secretary of the New Zealand Y.M.C.A., has worked in close collaboration with the Board not only in regard to the provision of services within the camps in New Zealand, but also in regard to the activities of the Y.M.C.A. officers with the forces overseas, and the efficient services rendered by him have materially assisted the Board in carrying out its multifarious duties in widely distributed spheres. The Salvation Army. This is another of the larger established national-welfare organizations which has placed its services and resources at the disposal of the Board for the purpose of helping in the common effort. During the year under review the Salvation Army, as a collecting agent of the Board, co-operated in the " Fighting Services Welfare Appeal," and acted as an expending agent of the Board. The Board has provided and equipped huts and marquees in various mobilization camps for the use of the Salvation Army, and the reports indicate that this organization is rendering most valuable service in assisting to look after the comfort and entertainment of the men. In his report to the Board the Chief Secretary of the Salvation Army stated : — " This record of our appreciation of the facilities granted by your Board takes cognizance of the consideration shown us by His Excellency the Governor-General, as Chairman of the Board, and each member thereof." In some mobilization camps the Salvation Army and the Y.M.C.A. have combined in using facilities provided by the Board, and in this connection the report of the Salvation Army states : —- " As a deliberate policy we have sought to avoid any competition with other activities of a like nature. Where we have considered the service and activities adequate to the need, we have withheld the establishment of a social centre ; on the other hand, where we have considered the need to be apparent we have not hesitated to act promptly. Such action in every case has, we happily reflect, received the endorsement of your Board." The provision of a portable cinema plant has enabled the Salvation Army to assist in the entertainment of the troops and hospital patients in the Wellington area. At all times the Board has received valuable and ready assistance from Lieutenant-Colonel S. M. Hayes, Secretary for War Services, Salvation Army, who, with others, have regularly visited various guard posts and stations in the Wellington area, with the object of ascertaining the requirements of these men and making them more comfortable. As a result, reading-matter, writing-materials, radiators, immersion heaters, radios, woollen comforts, and sports gear have been supplied by the Board to the Salvation Army for distribution to men at the more exposed and isolated stations. The expense of this organization acting as an agent of the Board to 30th September, 1940, was £4,343 2s. Id. Church op England Military Affairs Committee. From the beginning of the war to the 30th April, 1940, the Church of England Military Affairs Committee carried on its own war-relief activities under an exemption to the Patriotic Purposes Emergency Regulations 1939. The report of the secretary of this organization shows that during that time £13,315 18s. 6d. was donated by Church congregations for work among men in the armed forces. Active work in the various camps was carried on through the agency of the New Zealand Church Army. Marquees were at first erected in mobilization camps and at other stations, and later these were replaced to a large extent by permanent huts which, with the furniture, involved a capital outlay of £6,853 9s. lOd. Following the adoption of an amalgamated scheme under the segis of the National Patriotic Fund Board on Ist May, 1940, the capital assets of the Church of England Military Affairs Committee (valued at £7,153 9s. lOd.) and a cash balance of £2,397 15s. 9d. were handed over to the National Board.

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