HELPING HAND

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 06, Issue 96, 6 August 1943, Page 3

HELPING HAND

WELFARE SERVICES — f; : TROOPS IN MIDDLE EAST The extent to which those respoi* sible I'or tlie welfare of the New Zealand troops in tlie M-iddJe East ai;e acting in this direction is shown by some tteiixs in a report from the National Patriotic Fund Board commissioner. Lieutenant-Colonel F. Waitc. They are of special linterest to New Zealand women and girls, particularly those who have received silk .stockings i'rom members of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. Colonel Waite mentions that in order to protect the troops i'rom excessive prices in Cairoi, arrangements were made to sell silk stockings at the New Zealand Forces Club at cost price (about. 50 piastres). In three (lays; over £1,000 worth was sold, and Colonel Waitc, writing on June 6, stated that he would not be surprised it' in the next lew days £3,000 worth was sold. Colonel Waite used the "N.Z.E.F. Times" to advise the men on their return from the battle areas to exercise some discrimination in how they spent the substantial credits in their pay-books, and to beware of the profiteer and bad liquor. He also suggested to them that, alter using some of their credit. on entertainment and the purchase of gifts to send home,, a worthwhile, investment, instead of giving their money to war profiteers, was to buy some New Zealand War Bonds. It has already been announced in New Zealand that during the Third Liberty Loan campaign there were investors from among the New Zealand forces overseas. Another service was the compi.ation of a list of articles' in demand in New Zealand, together with the names of reputable firms which had guaranteed to give New Zealanders a fair deal, and in some instances a discount. A card of introduction to these; firms was issued from the New Zealand Forces Club. In addition to providing a good selection of stockings,, the club had available a limited sto'ck of hot water bags for purchase as gifts to send home. "The club is working under great pressure in the of meals and amenities," states Colonel Waite.'s . report. "Considering what the boys have gone through, their behaviour is very good,, and. it is pleasing to see them spending so much money on the l folks at home. It' is at times like, these that the real value of the New Zealand Club is apparent. The work of. the W.A.C.C. (welfare) girls is beyond all praise, especially in times of pressure like these/'