HEARTS WIDE OPEN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 225, 21 September 1940, Page 14

HEARTS WIDE OPEN.

HOSPITABLE ENGLISH. N.Z. TROOPS APPRECIATIVE. (From the Official War Correspondrnt TVith the New Zealand Forces in Britain.) ALDERSHOT, August 20. Among the ineffaceable memories of the Second Echelon's sojourn in England; will be that of the kindness of the people. Partly that is due to our ; having come so far to share the dangers that arc so near these days to the Old Country. Partly it is because we are Xew Zealanders—the,fine reputation of the First New Zealand Expeditionary Force has not been dimmed by passing years —but mostly it springs from the innate hospitality of the English heart. To soldiers of the Empire the Englishman has thrown his heart- wide open, and with his heart, in many instances, his home. '

The hospitality offered New Zealand troops is as varied as the 6oeial and economic status of the people offering it. There is no variation in its cordiality. It ranges from invitations to spend the whole of one's leave or convalescence in stately country homes, to quick, eager urgings to take a cup of tea while momentarily halted before a tiny cottage.

People in the camp areas are especially good. Xo special entertainment is offered, but men arc, as it were, received into the family. Few hosts or hostesses anywhere differentiate between officers and other ranks.

The canteen'at the First New Zealand General Hospital is entirely staffed by local women helpers, who have formed their own committee and arranged a roster of attendance. The Y.M.C.A. has provided them with a tent and the necessary equipment, and the padre, a' muscular. Presbyterian from Duncdin. and ex-rifleman, is their link with the military. . .

The women have provided games for the patients—dart boards, chess and draught sets, packs of cards, quoits and so on. They take convalcscents for drives and entertain them • in private homes.

The Victoria League's hostel in Xondon is popular ivith the boys, and the sclic-me under which relatives overseas may, by a payment to their local branch of the league, provide accommodation in London, for named soldiers, was happijy conceived. All the Empire societies have joined forces to establish the Empire Societies' War Hospitality Committee, which has rooms in the ground floor of the Royal Empire Society's building i n London. Typical of the efforts in the provinces and Scotland are the Australian and New Zealand Club, of Bristol, and the Overseas League clubs in Edinburgh and Glasgow. The Bristol Club was formed to bring together Australians and Xe\y Zealanders resident in that city and district- Now it welcomes also Dominion soldiers on leave, and offers private hospitality from its members.