H.—22a

be issued to troops prior to embarkation, but owing to the fact that our men m tropical climates do not always require such woollen goods the Board decided to adhere to its policy of building up the bulk supplies in Egypt and elsewhere for issue to the troops, if and when required. In the case of NewZealanders leaving the country to join the Royal Navy or Royal Air Horce woollen goods of various kinds are issued prior to embarkation. Essential woollen comforts have been issued to men on isolated stations in New Zealand, and the question of issuing essential comforts to all men serving in ew Zealand was under consideration at the close of the year. n , , m. The following table shows the number of knitted articles handled by the Board. lhese were knitted by the women of New Zealand from wool obtained by the Board tor the Provincial Patriotic Councils. The Board desires to record [its appreciation of the splendid service rendered in this connection.

Knitted Goods supplied from the National Patriotic Fund Board's Store as at 30th September, 1941.

VIII. Assistance to other Countries. (а) Greece. —F olio wing a suggestion from the New Zealand High Commissioner in London the Board decided to present to our Allies in Greece 10,000 pairs of socks, 5,000 pairs of blankets, 2,000 Dullovers, at a cost of £10,000. . „ • i , (б) Air-raid Sufferers in Great Britain.—Following the continued heavy bombing;ofßritish towns the conference of patriotic bodies held in June, 1941, decided that a further £100,000 (New Zealand) be remitted to the High Commissioner for distribution among various organizations dealing with distress (c) The New Zealand Lady Galway Patriotic Guild. —Much valuable work has been carried out by this guild in collecting clothes for distribution among evacuees and distressed people in England, bcotland, Wales, and Ireland. The guild has been assisted by transport organizations and shipping companies in conveying goods free. Reports from the Women's Voluntary Services for Civil Defence of Great Britain show that from the County Borough Clothing Depots gift clothing sent to England is distributed through rest centres for persons rendered homeless by air attack. IX. Anzac War Relief Fund, U.S.A. During the year valuable work was performed by the Anzac War Relief Fund of New York, and among the various comforts provided for New-Zealanders on active service were Christmas hampers of approximately six hundred parcels, which contained handkerchiefs, safety-razor blades writingpaper envelopes, shaving-soap, dentrifrice, condensed milk, canned pears oysters, aspirin and chewing gum. The citizens of the United States also gave generous help to the 2nd New Zealand Expeditionary Force in providing twenty-five ambulances, one mobile dental unit and costly medical equipmen , cigarettes, books and magazines, mobile canteens, £1,500 to furnish the New Zealand Expeditionary Force club in Cairo, and radio headphones for use in military hospitals. X. Summary of Work of the Board. The following list gives some idea of the extent of the Board's activities in providing for the welfare of our troops in New Zealand and overseas. . , , i Recreational Huts in Camps.—Every recreation hut or marquee in camps in New Zealand and overseas staffed by welfare organizations mentioned earlier has been built, furnished, and is maintained from patiLti funds. Upwards of two hundred huts and marquees in New Zealand and overseas are now maintained on behalf of the Board. . . , Cafeterias are equipped by the Board, and usually return small surpluses, which are paid into the Board's funds. Receipts from post-offices in huts also paid to Board Troopships. —Games, sports gear, writing-paper, music, song-books, envelopes, fruit, talkie films, costumes, reading-material. Bands. —Fourteen complete bands equipped. Clubs.—London, Cairo, Suva, Lautoka, Alexandria, Halifax. Subsidies to Clubs. —Tipperary and Services Clubs, Cairo ; Homestead and Kiwi Clubs, Helwan. Tobacco and Cigarettes— Quarterly gift issues. Allied Armed Forces.—Temporary services en route, and grants to comforts funds. Regimental Funds.-Subsidies to Navy, Army, and Air Force Benevolent Funds, and modified grants to similar service funds where desirable.

6

I Pullovers Skull Caps Bala- Gloves Socks J j£ ugs jf a . Mittens. Scarves, i and and elavas. (Pairs). (Pairs). | j | Jerseys. Miscellaneous. — j Army Department .. 1,705 236 220 47,024 lr > Ir? io tsf Air Force relations 8,946 2,370 3,442 5,242 10,276 10,457 12,184 issues t 13 9 fcyDepartoent !'. 6;551 176 1,690 M65 4,407 1,367 81 Navy League issues .. 10,449 123 2,318 98 7,229 9,13o , , SnJgned o°™L to 66!600 235 '884 !! n.m 70,480 1.176 323 £S22T**~ » 36 89 25 7 10» 70 .. Totals .. 94,367 3,179 8,659 56,498 98,450 95,369 16,851 3,227 Stocks on hand .. 5,679 U5~ 1,095 1,041 3.749 3,937 2,915 1,128