CONDITIONS IN JAPAN

Chronicle (Levin), 24 July 1946, Page 8

CONDITIONS IN JAPAN

—Press Association

♦ BRIGADIER HAS DIFFERENT OPINION

By Tele'graph-

WELLINGTON,; July 23. A sharp rejoinder to what he termed irresponsible eomplaints about eoivOitions' in Japan for members of J Eoree was made by Brigadier Iv. L. Stewart, the former commander of - the 2iid.N.2.E.F. in Japan, when the Ohitral arfived here. Brigadier Stewart said he was vei'j" surprised that the statements made by the soldiers at Lyttelton were not referred to him prior to pnblieation. He thought he shoul'd have been eoilsulted in the proper manner. He did not elaimthat the conditions of the troops in Japan were perfect, but it was well to keep iii mind that the oceup'ation torces were not on a holidav. The troops had been provided with pictures six nights a wedk, Avith three ehanges of programme. There had been crieket, a •certain amoimt of tenuis, and there had iteen athlctic sports sueh as softball and swinuning. There had -been rest ramps at beaches where all ranks could stay for three or four days.

"All tliey had to do was to attend one eheek parade a day. 1 ean only say that anvone who eomplains about too much 'spit and polish' is a bad soldier," said Brigadier Stewart. The butter supplied for the troops was mainly fresh Australian butter, sometimes there was titined spread, but it was inlinitciy better than anytliing supplied in Italy. He agreed that there were shortag'es in the clothing issue, out these were due to de.lays to eargo ships from Italy.. "We had no eontrol over that. I admit that all the amenities had to be within our own show, and there isn 't anytliing much to do. Out--tide conditions will improve every week. Tlie relief force will reap the 'lenefit of our spadework. " Brigadier Stewart said that, so far as the. New Zealanders were eone.erned 'there had been no trouble over f'raternisatiort with the Japanese. He eonsidered that of the whole of the Britisli oecupation area, the New Zealaiul area, whieh was about 120 miles long by 50 tuiles wide, was mueh the bcst in the way of aceommodation in the country itself, and organisation.