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1948 NEW ZEALAND

CANTEEN BOARD REPORT AND STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1947

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

A report on the operations of the Canteen Board, together with principal accounts and Balance-sheet for the year ended 31st March, 1947, is hereunder submitted. The Board, which was established under the Defence Canteen Emergency Regulations 1939, consisted of the following members - Hon. F. Jones (Chairman). Commander (S) H. W. Sleeman, M.B.E. Lieutenant-Colonel C. J. S. Duff, D.S.O. Air-Commodore Sidney Wallingford, C.B.E. B. C. Ashwin, Esq. R. P. Eraser, Esq. Mr. A. Gr. Hedgman is Secretary of the Board. The activities of the Board have been continued along similar lines to those expressed in previous reports, but pertinent features of general interest are reiterated. The Board is the medium through which canteen facilities are provided for servicemen attached to the Navy, Army, and Air Force in New Zealand, Fiji, and Norfolk Island. Jay Force, as part of 8.C.0.F., is catered for by the Australian Army Canteen Services, but the Board assists the supply position within reasonable limits as the necessity arises. The policy to be followed in all matters relating to the canteen service is determined by the Board for impletion by the Secretary, who, with his staff, are members of the Public Service. The Board's aim has been to provide a reasonable range of popular commodities at prices closely related to those obtaining in chain stores, thus giving to the purchasers the immediate benefits of keen prices, which, though attractive, are such that no incentive exists for goods to be purchased for disposal out of camp. Wet canteens are operated where warranted, and these, being under strict supervision from both hygienic and disciplinary standpoints, have been highly satisfactory, reflecting credit on the operators and evoking praise from distinguished visitors. Cinemas are still being operated in main camps, but activities such as hairdressing, photography, &c., have been discontinued as the need declined. An organization has thus been built up which is regarded most favourably by servicemen of all ranks, past and present, and canteen facilities are now looked upon as integral part of those amenities which are calculated to improve the conditions of camp life. Activities are conducted on fully commercial lines and no privileges exist whereby the Board secures any advantages in the acquisition of supplies or the purchase-price thereof. All operating-costs, including freights, salaries, and wages, are paid by the Board, which is entirely self-supporting. As a consequence of the greatly reduced strengths in our Forces, the number of canteens and the volume of sales are proportionately less, and this trend will be still more evident in the coming year when strengths reach their intended peacetime levels.