OUR MEN IN LONDON

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 97, 17 January 1918, Page 3

OUR MEN IN LONDON

HOW THEY ARE HELPED WORK OF THE WAR CONTINGENT ASSOCIATION An interesting survey of the work of the New Zealand War Contingent Association in London is made in a letter received by the Advisory Board of tho New Zealand Patriotic Societies from Mr. 1. \V. Raymond, the chairman of the association. The letter is dated November 28.

"Since you were last communicated with there lifts been a good deal of internal change in the- office, but 1 am glad to eay that matters are now settling down and the machinery is working smoothly," writes Mr. Raymond. "You quite understand that the greatest section of our work comes under the head of ministering to tho Bick and wounded, and aro, no doubt, awaro that practically all our financial resources are supplied through the New Zealand Red Cross. "There is a good deal of work done in connection with fit. men, and personally I think that still more might bo done under this head with very great advantage to the men, which, after all, is what patriotic organisations" are primarily interested in. For the information of your board I desire to say that the money coming in through the Red Cross is ample to maintain present requirements. Entertainments entail a large outlay, but I am convinced tlmt money spent under this head has obtained good value. The O.C.'s of tho various hospitals have written expressing the view that these entertainments, such as drives, concerts, etc., are an 'essential part of the treatment of the patients.' , "It will interest you to know that the patients in the Now Zealand hospitals fare better than those in any other 'that I have visited. The O.C.'s and their staff are invariably efficient, kindly, and sympathetic. The is good," and supplied in ample quantitieß, and is well rooked. I have not,heard more than half-a-dozen complaints during the many visits I have paid to hospitals. The fit men, that is to say, men on furlough from France or from the convalescent camps, arc rather a difficult proposition. The association would like to do more for these men, if it were possible to do so, and to do it with practical results. They do not ■need mothering, they have arrived in London for a holiday, or, as they put it, for a good time. After a few day? here the majority migrate to Scotland or Ireland, and return in time to rejoin their camp-life or to go to France. "The Soldiers 1 Club in Russell Square has been an enormous benefit to these boys. It is always,full, and accommodation has often to he found outside. There is good reaeon for its popularity is splendidly conducted and economically run; the food supply is of the best, and fully 50 per cent, cheaper in value than what can be obtained anywhere else. The Staff cooks and waitresses are entirely voluntary, and with one or two exceptions wholly New Zeslanders. This fact alone exercises a great influence for good, and helps to make the club a centre of attraction to the boys, who aro anxious to get into touch with womonkind who know r.bout them and their country.

"Concerts mid dances are held at this club as frpr|urntlv as possible. I think everything is being done that cm reasonably ho done.. I am satisfied that the mnmhers of the association nnd, their hand of helpers would only irritate and annoy ihe hoys if they tried to- push themselves too nnich into their life during their short holiday. That cases arise where tome member of the forces has discredited himself is of rare occurrence, but when it docs occur it is one of those events that one could almost say is remarkable hecause it does not occur more frequently. "We continue to have many applications for help for football outfits, and, in season, for cricket materials; and possibly for a contribution towards a billiard table or the furnishing of some club or mess room. These only coma from what is known as "detached" units, i.e., units that have been sent away for some considerable distance to do some special work, r.nd therefore have no call upon the regimental funds. The association considers that these requisitions are a legitimate claim upon their funds, and after carefully considering the case invariably grants some contribution. "It will he remembered that when tlie application for the expenditure of £1000 was made from the board some time ago General Richardson intimated that there would be no occasion to remit any money to units in France. It did not occur to him that the detached units required football material, etc., and had no funds by which they could obtain it. Subsequently he realised the position, and has approved various applications which the association has responded to. There are other requisitions of ii similar nature that have to be bold over or turned down besauso of lack of funds. I would suggest, therefore, that your board might see their way to remit » further sum or £1000 to oe expended under the discretion of the committee, in supplement of your previous very acceptahlc contribution of ■£"10(10 which is only used for the entertainment of fit, men on leave rrnm France Practically all our f«»as an-, eaimi-rked for special objects, and therefore manv reasonable applications have to be refused."