HOME DEFENCE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 05, Issue 25, 6 March 1942, Page 3

HOME DEFENCE

WELFARE OF THE MEN

THEIR LEISURE TIME

The increase in the personnel of the home defence forces that has taken place in the past feAV months has imposed added responsibilities on the National Patriotic Fund Board, the Provincial Patriotic Councils and their committees, and also the organisations AA'hich assist the patriotic moA r ement in catering for the Avell being of the men called up . for military serA r ice. These organisations, whose Avork among the men of the forces is financed from the patriotic funds, comprise the Y.M.G.A., the Salvation Army, the Church Army and Catholic Institute. Shortly' after the big call up of men was announced a meeting was convened by the National Patriotic Fund Board at which representatives of these organisations AA-ere present, and plans Avere made to avoid overlapping of effort and to ensure that no units were- missed. At points where small numbers of men arc stationed arrangements were made for them to be looked after by local patriotic comittees. Since then the Patriotic Fund Board, Avhose responsibility is to provide, equip, and maintain recreation huts, institutes, or marquees where the men may relax and enjoy themselves in their leisure time, has attended to requirements in this connection as far as it hast been pos-> sible to proceed, but its work in this connection has not been comI pleted. Where possible marquees i have been erected, but there are not J sufficient to go round. The difficulty has been overcome in some places in the country districts by converting buildings, including three avcol sheds or shearing sheds and also an orphanage play house, into , recrea- I tion centres. At another place a. small, old, unused church Avas purchased at small cost, pulled down, and as a bolted hut at a nearby camp. The use of racecourse lea rooms has been obtained in a number of ceases, halls have also been hired. The Patriotic Fund Board has also taken steps to have constructed about 50 bolted huts for use as recreation centres. This marks a departure from thc £ policy folloAA r cd in the proA'ision of recreation huts at the main training camps, Avhere sub-' stantial -buildings haA'e been uroA'ided. The bolted huts, measuring approximately 60ft long by 24ft Avide, ■"have been so designed that they mav be taken doAvn and; moved from place to place as required. -In addition to these amenities, cups and saucers, table tennis sets, packs of playing cards, sets of draughts, and other indoor games have been supplied for the benefit of the home defence forces. The Provincial Patriotic Councils and their local committees have also been Jbusy. They are looking after the

entertainment of the men and are supplying them Avith outdoor sports gear, such ais cricket and baseball sets. Troops at vital points are being Serviced by one or other of the approved expending agents with writing materials, games, sports equipment and other amenities. At the same time, the work of providing for the prisoners of war, and New Zealand soldiers, sailors, and airmen overseas is continuing. There are heavy calls to be met in this connection.