PACIFIC FORCES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 50, 23 February 1943, Page 7

PACIFIC FORCES

SERVICING OF MEN

INITIAL DIFFICULTIES

In rcccnt months the overseas r6- . ;ponsibilities of the National Pat•iotie Fund Board have increased greatly. Previously the Board's biggest job has been (the servicing of :he men in the Middle East. Now, n addition to catering for the welfare of tlie troops in this theatre is well as New Zealand servicemen n Britain, air trainees in Canada, md also some scattered units, there s the important ditfty of providing , 'or an increased number of men in :he Pacific, area. This is a matter in which a good deal of attention las been concentrated lately., The building up of a satisfaetory irganisation oai tlie spot, to service he men efficiently, particularly ivhen practically all supplies: have ;o be sent there and there are other lifl'iculties as Avell, takes time. Circumstances beyond control made it nipossible to have everything in ship shape order for the increased nuraner of men as< soon as they arrived n the Pacific theatre, but with supplies that have gone forward recently and orders that arc in hand ir are projected:, it. is hoped to have lie comforts service for these troops >n a good footing before long. This is not to say that little has >cen done for the newer arrivals in he Pacific. In point of fact cons idTable quantities of patriotic goods ind equipment were scnlt; over with he men and further supplies have )een shipped since. There, have been ssues of gift parcels 1 , cigarettes, weets, cordials, biscuits etc., and Jrants were made from the patrioic funds to supplement the Ghristnas rations. Sports; gear indoor Jamesi, stationery and miscellaneous silier items have been, provided.; ilso radio, sets, picture plants and ilms l , and cups, tables, chairs and >ther equipment to enable, the iT.M.G.A. representatives to conluct the cafeteria services for the nen. These have all been purchased vith money, from the National Patio tic Fund. In addition, a complete irinting plant, which cost the board '.IijOOO, has been sent to enable the roops to have their own newspaper ■ontaining home and overseas news. N.B. Approved by the Director of 'üblicity. First-Hand Reports A combination of circumstances - lid not. make the going easy a'.t the tart. Since then, however, the Joard hasi had: the advantage of rejorts and also of discussing future equiremcnts with an officer who is lack from Noumea. Other steps lave also been taken to gain firstland knowledge of the position. In addition to items 1 already menioncd, materials have been shipped 01* recreation huts, band and orchstral instruments have been sent, ilso weekly papers!, and special Hilary boxes so that the books: in hem may be interchanged. Arrange- " nents have also been made for :opies of the Saturday issues of the Dominion's principal newspapers to )e forwarded regularly. Difficulty has been experienced, in fettling sufficient battery-driven vibrator radio sets, and as a result he Board has had to buy them piece neal from all over New Zealand. Recently, however, it was able: to irrange for a further 70' stets to be ouilt and these will be shipped to New Caledonia as soon as they are ready. The. Board is also sending jlcctric lighting plants; for the; rejrea'tion huts and libraries, and an ice cream plant, an amenity which is popular with the troops in the Middle East. In addition, arrangements have been made with the Army Educational Welfare Service for the forwarding of more picture plant, which will be serviced with the latest American films). Although ithe Board has not appointed a commissioner to New Caledonia), it is represented, by the senior Y.31.C.A. secretary and he will keep the Board in touch with | requirements, as do the; representatives of the Board in other parts of the Pacific and elsewhere overseas..