J-FORCE RELIEF PACKS SEA KITS

Chronicle (Levin), 15 July 1947, Page 3

J-FORCE RELIEF PACKS SEA KITS

Press Asftncialion

Bv Telearavh-

AUCKLAND, July 14. J-Force troops were in liigh spirits us tliey packed their sea kits ahd ate their last meals in camp when the Minister of Defence, Mr. Jones, arrived at Papakura military eamp' to bid them an offieial farewell . tomorrow morning. The 2000 men who eomprise the seeond rclief draft of J-For.eo, will cnibark on the troopship Dunera for Japan. Complying with the Minister '3 wishes, the visit was an informal one so far as camp arrangements were eoncerned. However, the men were spared from their last-min'ute .duties, to parade to listen to an hddress by Mr. Jones. "I came specially from Wellington ■to-'-extend-to! yoh frOftii the^'Pfime Mi'niflter, Governnieut hndt phciple, their good wishes on the eve o£ your departuit; for Japan," he said. ■ ' ' Beferring to the "criticisin of conditions for the troops in Japan, whicii were hiade by some of the draft "whieh returned recently, the Minister stressed the lteed for certain restrictions in an eneniy oeeupied cotmtfy. , There were certain pldees wherq >;the troops could not go and they would have to »ol>ey those rules and appreciate wlty they were carried out, Mr. Jdnes meutionecl the oxistenee of disease, including cholera, in the boanbed areas, which jirovided a danger if .they were not controlled. The sickness rate among New Zealand troops in Japan was the lowest' of any of the British Commonwealth Oecupation Forces; He said conditions had iinproved since the first troops went. from Italy to Japan. iSomo of the departing draft would go into ncw barraeks. Funds would be provided for sports and comforts including mutton birds for the Maoris at Christmas. - "Your main job over there will be to soe that orders givcn to the Japanese by the Military Govornment are carried out," said the Miuister