KIWIS OBLIGED TO SCROUNGE

Chronicle (Levin), 1 October 1946, Page 7

KIWIS OBLIGED TO SCROUNGE

- Press As&ociation

Y.M.C.A. SECRETARY SPEAKS OF JAPAN

By Telegravh-

AUCKLAND, Sept. 30. . The urgent need for, welfare equipment to be sent to Japaft without delay, was emphasised by Mr. R. M. Brasted, national secretary of the New Zealand Y.M.C.A., in an interview. Mx, Brasted has just returned after spending sorae months in Japan on behalf of the Natiofial Council of Y.M.C.A. 's of New Zealand. During that time he inspected the recreation huts and clubs in the occupation areas. Mr. Brasted. said that in his report to the council he pointed out that the equipment taken to Japan from Italy has proved to be totally inadequate. Most of the recreational gear had already seen many years of service and was well worn out. Although eight recreational centres had been established he felt that lack of proper equipment was the outstanding weakness of the service. What was -being don,e to combat this weakness was a credit to the Y.M.C.A. secretaries and spoke volumes for the cooperation of the New Zealand Arrny authorities. Practically all the recreational gear now in use had to be " scrounged ' ' and the secretaries had to "acquire" furniture and equipment to carry on. "The buffet equipment should be roplaced," said Mr. Brasted. "Most of the tea ums are in urgent need of repair. The water heating arrangements are primitive and that being used in souie places is in a dangerous condition. The arrangements now in use are on loan from the Australian . Y.M.C.A. The crockery and cutlery must bo replenished." "All sports gear was supposed to be supplied by the Australian ainenities stOres, continued Mr. Brasted, but there was a universal iaclc of most gear. He was told that several ships were ou the way, however, and that they would be able to supply all that was needed. He thought the system operating would give cause for coinplaiut for a long tfiqe to come. The occupation ruies stated that notliing shall be purchased from the Japauese people and that made it impossible to secure furniture. All comfortable chairs, settees, billiards tables and all that made for the comfort of the men, would have to be supplied from New Zealand. Nothing coilld be purchased without the consent of the Americau occupation authorities. "Conditions outside the camps are almost uubearable, ,r said Mr. Brasted. "There are necessary taboos againsl driuking Japanose water or eatiug their food during their leave hours. They can only wander arouud until they are bored stiff with life. " To combat this Mr. Brasted suggests in his report that the, council strongly recommends to the National Patriotic Fund Board that they send immediately to the J Porce all their surplus equipment such as vvireless sets, billiards tables, easy chairsj reading and writing tablesj. urns, heaters, eleetric stoves, and crockery. and cutlery, iu addition to such itepis as (refrigcrators and ice cream maqhines which are totally lacking. and "shoqld be sent. Supplies of .w.riting paper and envelopes vvefe needed..i ;At» the moment all writing material was supplied by the Australiau Y.M.C.A."Brigadier L. Potter, commander of the J. Force, aud I both agree tliat the Y.M.C.A. should send trained women worlcers to take eharge of the liostels in ordcr to establish the riglit atmospliere and to bring the troops into contact With high grade New Zealand womankood, said tyfr. Brasted.