"JUST LIKE HOME"

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 26, 23 November 1943, Page 4

"JUST LIKE HOME"

FURLOUGH WITH N.Z. FAMILY

ITJI'vKK U.S. MARINES

Three United States Marines re-: cently were, invited, to spend their 10-day furlough in an average New Zealand home. They were warned in advance that there would be no excitement, no wild parties, no young people. They gratefully accepted on those terms. For 10 clays they revelled in the luxury of a home "just like home." They wash-r cd the dishes, swept the floors, listened to the radio, and sat bj r the fire reading the evening papers. Occasionally they took their liost ami hostess to a "movie." At the end of 10 days they went back to camp. Three days later their hostess was amazed, when a new washing machine was delivered at her door—a present from the three grateful ma-, rincs. who had noticed she was without one, Mrs Ina Allan, director of all Allied Service Club. Wellington, who vouches for the story, said it is the more remarkab'e because washing machines are. almost unobtainable in New Zealand, and cannot be purchased for less than £52 (175 dollars in American money). Not all marines, of course, buy washing machines for their friends, but the story typifies the cordial relations which exist between the "Leathernecks"'and citizens of the British Dominion "down under."