IN PULL SWING

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 47, 19 November 1917, Page 7

IN PULL SWING

MILITARY CAMP CANTEENS

AT FEATIIERSTON AND TAUHERENIKAU

The camp canteens at Featherston and rauheromkau Camps were taken over by the Deface Department ;.t tho eiul o( Iftsb week, Irom this morning thev will bo in full swing as State concerns/their immediate control being in the hands of a committee consisting of Caphin \ Fairbairn (president), Major U. ]{ Ryder (formerly Camp Commandant at Tanheronikau), and Captain E. C. Smith The effect of the JMenee Department's taking over of the canteens and hairdl'essilig saloons will be to almost eliminate civilian traders l'rom tho camp. Apart from these two avenues of trade tho principal shops havo been those of outfitters and jewellers; there are also booksellers, .photographers, and restaurants. The recent Army Order which lays down that soldiers .must only wear clothing and equipment issued to tliem will seriously all'ect the outfitters' businesses. This edict would also have affected tho business in tho outfitting department of tho canteen; but in any caso it was not likely that tlio Stateowned canteen would havo continued that department.. . .

. .A feature cf tho new order in tlio 1 canteens and barbers' shops is that no cash is taken over tho counter. Tickets are sold in offices just outside tho doora, and they may bo had in the exact number immediately required or in cards of twelve, of values ranging from 2d. to 'is. No sales will bo made for less than 2d., nor aro halfpennies reckoned in tho sum total of any purchase or purchases. When the tickets are handed over tho counter as currency, they aro immediately .cancelled, so that thero is no possibility of their being dishonestly used again. In tho days of civilian hairdrossers in camp a hair-cut cost Is.; to-day a military hair-cit, machine all over, costs 3d., an ordinary liair-cut Bd., and a shave is 4d. Shampoos, singeings, and massage aro charged at Wellington prices. Cigarettes are Gd. a packet; tobacco, Is. a tin, except special Ijrands which have their special prices. Soft drinks, formerly Gd. a glass, are now 3d.; and the 6d. cup of tea. or toffee with pio or cakes has como down to 3d. a oup with biscuits, and Jd. with pie or cakes. All meals served in the dining-room aro Is. The civilian visitor to the camps who was accustomed to stroll into the canteens and havo refreshment finds that lie cannot do so now without a special permit, or unless he is accompanied by a soldier. This latter reservation has been made so as to allow soldiers to take their relatives in to tea when they are visiting the camps. But a warning has been issued against any purchasing by soldiers on account of civilians. The prices In the military canteens are much lower in many lines than iu general stores cut-1 side. And it is therefore necessary to keep a very strict eye open for possible "traffickers.'" And this is being done.

Whether the notion of the Featherston Camp authorities in taking over the failteens will be followed by Trentham Camp will depend, it. is said, on the result o! the venture. The nearness of the latter camp to the city, and the opportunities thus offered the soldiers for buying in wider markets, is considered in some quarters to make the change unnecessary.