MILITARY CANTEENS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 64, 8 December 1917, Page 7

MILITARY CANTEENS

BIG SAVING AT FEATBERSTON POR FIVE-SHILLINGS-A-DAY MAN

Tho military canteens at Featherston and Tauherenikau Camps continue to transact a steadily increasing business, to tho satisfaction of their soldier patrons. Since the new system was inaugurated, less than a month ago, the Canteens Committeo and the stalls havo tad a busy time; and there seems little chance of thero being a slack period until the holidays. Tho idea behind the military canteen system; as applied at Featbersto'i, is to give' the best service to tho soldier who is going away to fight at os. a day. It is recognised that to him every penny has a greater value than to the average civilian. Already a saving to the troops, amounting to £500 a week, equal to £25,000 a year, has been effected, while the profits, it is said will be no less than tho amount formerly paid as rent for the ritfllt to run the canteens. Critics of the military control of canteens have suggested that under tho new regime, lines which show a small profit are not stocked, that only those wbioh show a good return are supplied. The answer to this is that all essential lines are kept in full stock, but where other lines are concerned the Canteen Committee will, not buy at exorbitant prices, when they know there are other shipments due to arrive, which will reduce prices, m this way, it is considered, consistently low prices will be maintained, wnilo the soldiers who want special non-es-sential lines can easily procure them outside the camp. The best article at the lowest price is the goal aimed at. A visit to tho canteen shows how 1 low tho prices are, and how they compare with civilian prices. Cigarettes of the popular brands are Gd. a packet, tobacco Is. a tin. These are two or tho important items that are handled. Tea and coffee of superior quality, with a large pie or with three wholesome cakes, all baked in the canteen bakery, cost 4d. For 6d. a soldier may havo the hot drink with both pie and cake. Very fine cake indeed,' of the pound variety, is sold at lQd. a pound in large quantities, both officers and men buying keenly. In the sofe drinks department tlio prices are 2d. and 3d. a_ long glass, according to tho classes or drinks; ordered. Very shortly a carbonating apparatus will be. in working order, when iced drinks will bo supplied from syphons situated at intervals along tho counter. Tho' pipes bolow thoso will bo packed in ice, and the carbonating engino and large icechest, situated in an adjoining room, will maintain the supply of cold drinks. The fruit and confectionery department also contributes towards the substantial amount which is being saved weekly to the men, while the quality of the goods is of tlio licst, even though there is not a wide variety of fancy linos. In this, as in all the departments, every effort is being made to sort out the best from tho inferior, and it is the very host which the men will receive at prices less than are usually charged for very inforior goods. The saving mentioned, of £500 a week, is not an estimate; the figures are based on actual experience, anc' tho knowledges that the saving has been effected in the everyday "bread-and-but-ter" lines which ore in constant demand. The canteens are now a separate department in the camp,_ entirely self-contained, and the salaries. and wages of the staffs, including bakers and dining-room assistants, are a charge oft- tho funds, so that the successful working of the new and muchneeded svstem is regarded as proof of its soundness from a- business point of view. Tho difficulty in regard to ■ staffing the barbers' shops hns'been overcome, and all are now in full swing, while tho dining-room, where Is. meals are served, is thronged both at, midday and in the evenings. Many hundreds more articles than those mentioned hern are carried in stock in the canteens. In shaving soar) alone a man may have choice of a dozen varieties, and the same applies to many other lines. In the matter of cleanliness and well-ordered attention to the men's wants _ thero seems nothing more to be desired.