H—22a

During the year the Secretary of the Board visited Sydney and Melbourne and arranged for the establishment of clubs in Melbourne on the same lines as those operating in Sydney, so that personnel passing through could be suitably entertained. India. —As stated in last year's report, New Zealand Service personnel in India are attached mainly to British units. These have continued to be well served through the good offices of Mr. C. R. C. Gardiner, the Board's honorary Commissioner in Bombay. Towards the end of the year a club was established at Calcutta, known as the Anzac Welfare Centre, conjointly controlled by the Australian Comforts Fund and the Board, and the thanks of the people of New Zealand are due to Mr. Gardiner for the wholehearted way in which he has organized the welfare service over his very large and scattered area. During the year notices were placed in all newspapers in the Dominion requesting next-of-kin to advise the name of any New Zealand serviceman attached to the Indian Command, in order that patriotic parcels could be issued by Mr. Gardiner. Owing to the shortage of supplies in New Zealand, arrangements were made with the New Zealand Military Liaison Officer in Colombo to purchase in India sports goods, writing-paper, and other items not procurable elsewhere. Middle East and Italy. —-The forward move of the Division from Africa to Italy created a long supply route and necessitated the opening of an advance base at Bari. Owing to the fact that shipping was from New Zealand to Cairo, and not to Italy, all goods had to be consigned to Maadi store and then transferred to Advance Base as occasion arose. In all such moves as this, essential Army equipment, ammunition, and food must have first priority. Consequently, there was always the time-lag, when troops moved forward, until the supply line of the comforts caught up. The Y.M.C.A. and Church Army Secretaries, mobile cinemas, and mobile canteens moved with the Force to Italy. It was not long before a Forces Club was opened at Bari, together with the New Zealand Y.M.C.A., Church Army, and Lowry huts. Bari remained the main base in Italy during the year under review. The patriotic organization during this period was represented by the National Patriotic Fund Board and Sick and Wounded Commissioners in Italy, who frequently visited Cairo. The main base at Cairo dealt not only with the forward supplies for the Division, but also serviced the R.N.Z.A.F. details in the Middle East. The Y.M.C.A. hostel at Alexandria catered for all visiting New Zealand personnel and also forwarded comforts to Navy personnel. The purchase of supplies of sports goods and other comforts could not be made in Italy to any extent, and, apart from those sent direct from New Zealand, these had to be purchased in Egypt and forwarded to Italy. During the year under review Lieutenant-Colonel Waite returned to New Zealand on furlough, and was relieved by Brigadier A. S. Falconer. United Kingdom.—The High Commissioner for New Zealand in London, Mr. W. J. Jordan, has continued to act as the Board's representative, being ably assisted by the New Zealand War Services Association. The New Zealand Forces Club has continued to function. The manner in which this organization deals with goods may be gathered from the following extracts from letters and reports received : An L.A.C., writing to express his thanks, stated : "It is good to know that although serving away from the main New Zealand Forces, one is not forgotten by the folks at home." " As I came to England as a civilian and joined the British Forces, I was particularly thrilled to be included as a New Zealander to whom parcels are sent by the National Patriotic Fund Board."

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