H.—22 A.

In the United Kingdom marquees and chapel tents were erected for the use of the New Zealand soldiers there, and at the New Zealand Services Club, London, a chapel and writing-room on the top floor of the premises was made available for the use of New Zealand troops. In addition to overseas work considerable expansion of the activities of the Church of England Military Affairs Committee has taken place in New Zealand following the creation of new mobilization camps. Marquees or huts have been erected in the new training centres, and, where necessary, existing premises have been enlarged to meet increasing demands. The policy of the Church Army, as in the case of other church recreational huts, is to ensure that there should be an atmosphere of quiet in the huts and establishments under its control in military camps, and reports indicate that this has been highly appreciated by the troops. The following is an extract from the report of a Church Army Officer stationed at one of the New Zealand Camps in England : — " Though the work has been strenuous there have been many bright moments. The amenities provided in our marquee have been highly appreciated by the men, if numbers attending may be taken as an indication. Frequently we have as many as 400 men assembled reading, writing, resting, or listening to the radio, &c. Battalion concerts have been held on four occasions with attendances up to 750." The reports received indicate that the keen desire on the part of those associated with this organization to render a maximum service to our men has been highly appreciated. Catholic War Services Fund Board. This Board was established on the 7th July, 1940, for the purpose of assuming control of Catholic huts already established at Papakura, Trentham, and Burnham. As from the 30th June, 1940, the assets of the Catholic War Services Fund Board, to a value of £3,289 3s. 6d., were taken over by the National Patriotic Fund Board, and liabilities amounting to £1,438 ss. 4d. were discharged. All previous donations given by Catholic congregations for war relief work were considered to have been made to the National Patriotic Fund Board. Henceforward activities of the Catholic War Services Fund Board will be financed from the National Patriotic Fund. The recreational huts managed by this Board are conducted on similar lines to those of other national welfare and church organizations, and entertainment and buffet facilities are provided where possible. Proposals are in hand for the provision of a Catholic Service Hut at the mobilization camp at Waiouru. Other Religious Bodies. The impression may be gained from the foregoing that the religious bodies not mentioned are not assisted by the National Patriotic Fund Board. The position is that practically all Churches, other than those mentioned, work in conjunction with the Y.M.C.A. In addition to this, all Padres on active service overseas are allowed by the Board a weekly allowance for their out-of-pocket expenses among the troops. Joint Council op the Order of St. John and New Zealand Red Cross Society. This organization is an approved agent of the Board for the collection and expenditure of patriotic funds, and the funds collected by it are specially earmarked for the relief of the sick, wounded, and distressed. At the outbreak of the war this organization, like other established social welfare groups, readily adapted its existing machinery for the purpose of assisting in the war effort, and during the year it has, with the other organizations, played an important part in the collection and expenditure of funds for patriotic purposes. The activities of the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and New Zealand Red Cross Society include the provision of medical comforts for departing troops, the organization of depots in the main centres in New Zealand for the collection and despatch of gift goods for hospital ships and base hospitals, comforts for convalescent patients in New Zealand and overseas, inquiries for relatives in enemy territories, and general work associated with the alleviating of suffering and distress, comforts for convalescent patients from camps, convalescent homes, voluntary aids, general hospitals, and fieldambulance work. Sick and Wounded Fund. The position of this fund as at 30th September, 1940, was as follows : — £ Receipts .. .. .. .. .. 591,659 Payments .. .. .. .. .. 133,444 Balance .. .. .. .. .. £458,215 Among the special items of expenditure were :— £10,239 to the respective Centre Committees for materials for comforts and to Head Office for medical instruments, occupational therapy bursaries: £6,187 for wool and sundry comforts: £622 10s. Norwegian Red Cross: £12,500 Red Cross and St. John, London : £2,500 Belgium Red Cross : £100,000 London Distress Fund (£73,000 since recovered from moneys specially donated for this fund).

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