THE ANZAC CLUB IN LONDON

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 205, 18 May 1918, Page 8

THE ANZAC CLUB IN LONDON

NOT A NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE. Sir,--Everybody is 110 doubt delighted once more to welcome Miss Ada Reeve', but if sho is still collecting for the Anzac Club Iho public should at least be apprised of tie true relations between New Zealand soldiers and the Anzao Club. Some months ago I listened with great interest to Miss Reeve's account of the Anznc Club', but was considerably amazed when she stated that it was the only club of its kind in London. Probably she did not know that there aro others or she did •not mean exactly what she said. The object of this letter is not to discredit Miss Reeve, whom everyone' admires, but to submit tho following facts

The club frequented by uracticallv all our soldiers is situated in Russell Square and is called the "New Zealand Soldiers' Club." It is residential and is run by the New Zealand War Contingent Association, whose motto seems to j>e that the best only is good onaueh for its RUPsts. Sly own ovperionce proved it to be the acme of>comfort. Tho same body runs a canteen at 11 Southampton Row, an extremely cosy alace. All and a jfreat many more of the advantages enumerated by Miss R*evo 011 behalf of the Anzao Club belong to these lastmentioned. Leave trains are met. entertainments provided, sight-seeing organised, etc.—everything, in fact, is done to make our lads happy. Also these buildings are situate in what is almost a small New Zealand world in London, for within a stone's throw is tho New Zealand Headquarters, pay office, medical staff, etc., and conseouontly every New Zealander in khaki directs his

steps thither, the pay department being an irresistible attraction. J'or the same reasons an Australian world exists, but it lies in and around Victoria Street, whore the Anzac ■ Clul> is. These two miniature worlds are distant from one another about two miles, and though an occasional Now Zoalander may enjoy the hospitality of the A nunc Club in the same way as an occasional Australian may bo seen at the New Zealand Club, yet, on the whole, New /.ealanders having liltlo or no reason for going to tha "Aussie" ivorld, do not go there, and therefore the money already subscribed here, although subscribed :n a good cause, is an Australian cause and not a New Zealand one. I lived in London for fifteen months, used o'ir own club and canteen incessantly, but never onca 6tepped inside the Anzac Club, nor do I know ony of our boys who did. The Anzac Club would more clearly define its purpose if called the "Australian Soldiers' Club"-—I am, etc., liETURNED.