H—l9a

1946 NEW ZEALAND

CANTEEN BOARD REPORT AND STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1945

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. 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. 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. It is necessary to reiterate for general information certain facts which have been included in previous reports. Small units which have not been brought within the scope of the Board's retail organization have the facility of purchasing from bulk stores operated by the Board. Thus all members are assured of having access to available lines. It has again been possible to keep the administrative expenses figure below 040 of the revenue while maintaining the efficiency of the organization. All calls for service in New Zealand and overseas have been met, although this has entailed much organization, for which there was no precedent to follow. The availability of ample supplies at low prices from United States sources made it possible to provide an extensive and very much appreciated service overseas. The fact that these supplies were available outside New Zealand afforded considerable relief to local manufacturers, with consequent benefit to the civilian market. The services provided by the Board for the various units in the Pacific have, with a few minor exceptions, been discontinued following the return of personnel to New Zealand since YJ Day.