H.—l9a

1945 NEW ZEALAND

CANTEEN BOARD REPORT AND STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1944

Laid on the Table of Both Houses of the General Assembly by Leave

A report on the operations of the Canteen Board, together with Trading and Profit and Loss Accounts and Balance-sheet is submitted hereunder. The following are at present members of the Board, which was established under the Defence Canteen Emergency Regulations 1939 :— Hon. F. Jones (Chairman). Air Commodore Sidney Wallingford, C.8.E., A.D.C. Lieutenant-Colonel C. J. S. Duff, D.S.O. Lieutenant-Commander (S) H. R. Sleeman, M.B.E. B. C. Ashwin, Esquire. R. P. Fraser, Esquire. Mr. J. H. Slater is Secretary of the Board. Air Commodore F. E. T. Hewlett, D.5.0., 0.8. E., and Colonel C. W. Salmon, D.C.M., have been replaced by the appointment of Air Commodore Wallingford and Lieutenant-Colonel C. J. S. Duff. The honorary service rendered by the officers who retired is acknowledged. The Secretary of the Canteen Board is responsible for giving effect to the Board's policy, including staffing, purchasing, supply, and accounting. These functions are performed by a section of the New Zealand Government Public Service, of which the Secretary is the Officer in Charge. The Board has continued to provide service for Navy, Army, and Air Force units in New Zealand and all areas of the Pacific. The male staff which provides the actual selling service in New Zealand is mainly comprised of returned soldiers or men ineligible for service overseas. Members of the W.A.A.C. and W.A.A.F. are employed in a number of situations and have demonstrated their suitability for this class of work. Full service conditions apply to personnel who serve in the Canteen Board's organization overseas. The Board's policy has been primarily to render service, but from the published accounts it will be noted that substantial profits have been earned. This position arises through it being necessary to fix selling-prices at a level which discourages personnel purchasing goods for resale outside the service. Notwithstanding this, canteen prices are in most cases equal to or lower than those charged in chain stores for similar articles. Official price-lists are prominently displayed for the information of canteen patrons. Close supervision of wet canteens ensures that a well-conducted service is rendered in the most hygienic surroundings. Modern projection and sound-equipment ensures that motion-picture programmes procured are screened to best advantage. The Board continues to enjoy the best of relations with the commercial community and Government Departments. This opportunity is taken to express thanks to the Canteen Staff and to those in the Service Departments who have, outside the scope of their official duties, rendered useful service to the Board. The Board records with regret the death of Lieutenant A. McLuekie on active sp.Tvir.R r>v«ra«aa

i no uuam iwuius vviuii icgict uii« ucauu ui i\. lyicijucKie on active service overseas. The sales figures shown below indicate the expansion of the Board's organization, while percentages to revenue are shown in tabular form for comparative purposes : —

(1) (2) (3) I (4) (5) (6) AdminisI trative Year ended 31st March, Gross Sales. Net Profit. Gross Profit.[All Expenses. Net Profit. Expenses included | in (4). £ £ Per Cent. Per Cent. Per Cent. Per Cent. 1940 .. .. .. 85,626 11,608 26-88 13-32 13-56 3-83 1941 .. ... .. 338,623 51,066 29-08 14-00 15-08 1-97 1942 574,739 87,739 26-67 11-40 15-27 0-95 1943 .. .. .. 1,742,871 278,514 21-99 6-01 15-98 0-40 1944 .. .. .. 2,284,962 307,101 18-69 5-32 13-37 0-36 5,026,821 736,028 Distributed to 31st March, 1944 .. 173,786 Undistributed at 31st March, 1944 .. 562,242