BROADCAST ADDRESS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 93, 27 November 1939, Page 3

BROADCAST ADDRESS

COLONEL J HARGEST, M.P.

AMENITIES FOR TROOPS

The following is an address broadcast recently by Colonel J. Hargest, M.P. for Awarua; —

You have already heard two broad cast appeals on behalf of the National effort to raise patriotic funds —one from His Excellency the Gov-ernor-General, who is Chairman of the National Patriotic Fund Board, and the other from Mr T. Jordan, Mayor of Masterton, and Chairman of the National Patriotic Council. This council is an advisory body. Its duty is to advise the Minister of Internal Affairs, the National Pal' riotic Fund Board, and the eleven Provincial Patriotic Councils. Wc are charged with the responsibility to advise them, firstly of the needrf to be supplied, and, secondly, of the best method of collecting funds so that these needs will be adequately met. May I say here that of the money collected for patriotic purposes, not one penny will be used by tlio Government, or indeed, used in lieu of taxation, but will be under the control of the Board and Provincial Patriotic Councils and will be used only for the purpose of providing for the welfare of New Zealand soldiers, sailors and airmen here and abroad, so that it is true to sav that the whole of the funds are placed under public supervision and coil trol. Many-Sided Problem. When inaugurated, the council found itself confronted with a many sided problem. In order to facilitate its work, it divided itself into committees, each to prosecute inquiries in some specific direction. To-night I represent the Camp Comforts, Conveniences and Amenities Committee of the Council. Our chairman is Dr. Alexander Gillies of Wellington, and our duty is to inquire into the needs of soldiers and airmen in camps and of our sailors in the Naval Base and on the high seas. In the last three weeks we have visited all the large military camps, and several of the smaller ones. We have talked to men of all ranks. We have also visited the Naval Baiie and Ave now feel that we are in a position to speak with some degree of authority on the most urgent needs of our armed forces.

Firstly, as to the permanent camps, this is what Ave found. They were well-established, well-buill. with almost every convenience one could expect to find. The kitchens were excellent and the messes weie comfortable. There was a plentiful supply of water for washing and bathing. Appliances were available for drying clothes. The food was good, and generally well cooked, but cooking will improve as the men are trained in cooking at the Army Schools now in operation. As one with some experience, I can say that there has never been a force in New Zealand better fed. better housed and better supplied with warm underclothing than the one now in training. The authorities have done well. They have been very willing to listen to our suggestions and, where possible, to act upon them. Naturally, when a body of men are hurriedly gathered together, some essentials are temporarily overlooked. Other requirements, however, are better provided by voluntary effort than by Army authorities. Amenities. Our investigations show that certain amenities are urgently needed. There are no bands, and they are badlj' - needed. All soldiers respond to the joy of listening to good music; I it raises their spirit on the march, it helps them over the mile, and it gives them pleasure and contentment when the day's work is done. Soon after war was declared, His Worship the Mayor of Auckland loaned a complete set of instruments. The need for bands elsewhere we considered to be so urgent that we made an immediate appeal. An instant and generous response came in the gift by the Nimmo family to His Worship the Mayor of Wellington, of a complete set of band instruments for use in Trentham Camp. The Mayor of Palmerston Borough in Otago wired his council's offer of the loan of a full set of instruments. The Mavor of Christchurch has already collected some hundreds of pounds for this deserving object. We reauire immediately at least eight complete bands, the personnel of three to be composed of Home Service men who will ■provide permanent camo hands, and t^e

mnindp** to be attached M tho battalions as they are formed, possibly

for service overseas. I am sure that we will get the bands. Regimental Funds. Regimental funds are urgently needed. During the last war, the people of New Zealand gave most generously to these funds and smoothed over many hard patches. When a Regiment is mobilised, there are many things required that are never provided by the Army. One so often sees men with badly-fitting uniforms which can be smartened up by a tailor. To do this,, machines are necessary, and in addition, Irons to iron hats and to press trousers would be appreciated. Further supplies of thread are also needed. Twenty years ago we attempted to tailor every man in the Regiments abroad. The effect on their self-esteem was most marked. It is very hard to be a smart soldier if you have badly-fitting clothes, boots etc. There are many other claims on Regimental funds—such as comforts for men after a hard day's march or following a battle, fresh fruit and vegetables to vary the Army diet, and perhaps a small treat when conditions have not been good and when men are likely to become despondent. A very modest Christmas dinner for a battalion of 800 men alone costs £150. The men in camp need sports gear. We ask for funds for supplying each unit with the equipment necessary to enable the men to participate in team games—cricket gear, basketball and baseball equipment, swimming togs and boxing gloves are all reauired, and Ave ask for a liberal response in this connection.

Approach of Christmas,

Lastly, Christmas is approaching, and I feel sure that if we ask the women of New Zealand for parcels, our request will not be ignored. Most of the men will be in camp, separated from their friends, and gifts of all the things that go to make Christmas a happy season will be most welcome. So far we have every reason to be most grateful for the response we have received.

We were told a short while ago that if avc desired to send Christmas gifts to the men on New Zealand war vessels at present on the high seas, the gifts would have to be sent almost immediately. Tn two hours we received a gift of £200 from the Auckland Provincial Fund, and in two days the goods were sent. We are further asking for gifts for New Zealanders garrisoning the lonely outposts of the Empire, and that appeal has be-m met in the same generous spirit.

The men now in camp a'-e training to become efficient soldiers and preparing to bear arms to defend, their country. They will woithilv uphokl the tradition of the soldiers of 24 years ago and will add lustre to our name. Lot. us then do our duty in caring for them.

Summary.

May I recapitulate. nsk for bands to lighten the soldier's life, to raise his morale; avc ask for regimental funds to provide for him in an emergency; Ave ask for sports gear to assist in maintaining his physical AA r elfarc, and for Christmas gifts to provide him AAith some of the joys Avhich AA r ould be his lot at home if he had not responded to the call of duty.