WITH THE TROOPS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 171, 10 June 1940, Page 5

WITH THE TROOPS

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF "NAFFY'

N.Z.E.F. Official News Service)

EGYPT, May 21

An expression that sounds like

"naffy" falls frequently and casually from the lips of every New Zealand soldier in Egypt. It is the brief way of saying "N.A.A.F.1." which in turn is a contraction of the name "Navy, Army and Air Force Instituted'

To the Britisher serving anywhere overseas N.A.A.F.I. means canteen. In the camp of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force alone there are eight of these institutes. They arc the soldier's source of almost everything 1 "" he wants to . buy —postage stamps, soap, cameras, films, tobacco, beer, hot suppers and many other luxuries and necessities. Even messing issues arc made through the central store and distributing depot in the camp.

Traditional Popularity,

Each of the institutes is a large wooden building with two spacious rooms ,filled wth tables and chairs, opening on to the central severy and kitchen. One room in the past has been available for general use and the other reserved for corporals. but it is now planned to convert each corporals' room into a recreation and social centre. Each institute also has a reading and writing room controlled by the Y.M.C.A.

The canteen maintains its traditional popularity as a rendezvous for the men of the forces. On pay nights in particular it presents cheerful, convivial scene, and is frequently used for smoke concerts by sections or platoons. Community "sings" held there periodically are always well attended.

Prices of several of the articles stocked are loAver than those ruling in ordinary retail shops r According to. a statement issued on the operation of the institutes, they are conducted by a non-profit • company, which has no shareholders and does not pay dividends. The company is controlled by a council whose members are drawn from the three services and a board of management made up of service representatives and civilians with business 1

experience

Of the money spent at the institutes, it is stated, the greater part merely covers the cost of the goods purchased. A percentage of the remainder goes back to the units in the form of a rebate, and after reserves have been allowed for, the balance 1 is expended for the benefit of the service as a whole. "For the first time in history,"

it is claimed, "an efficient canteen service was ready to take the field at the same time as the troops, and is functioning in every part of the world Avhere British sailors, soldier.?

or airmen are serving."