NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS IN EGYPT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 220, 11 June 1919, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND SOLDIERS IN EGYPT

NEED FOR REGIMENTAL FUNDS: The following unofficial letter has been received from Cairo by Mr. Shallcrass, tlie honorary secretary of the Federation of New Zealand Patriotic Societies, with regard to the necessity for regimental funds. The letter also throws some light upon the position of affairs in Egypt at the time when it.was written, on-April i last:—"Since writing my memo, of 3/4/19 I have received your memos, of U/t/19 and 10/2/19. Wo were all looking forward to an early return to New Zealand, but at present we are all hung up on account of the. natives giving trouble, and as our men are scattered alj over the place, they will still require funds, as it is in cases of this kind when they are,moving quickly here and there that the rations are hard to live on. Bully beef and biscuit.* are not so bad now and again, but day after day they lose cast very rapidly. If. Q. here will, I presume, cable you when no more funds are required. In a fow weeks things will be a little quieter, I hope, but a, good many, more natives will need to bo lalled .before the desired results are obtained! They are. a mongrel lot, for over four years they havo had. millions from the troops, and their country has never been more prosperous, and now they are not satisfied. They have done nothing in'the. war except provide a few labour •.companies,' and these avb[ oF course, drawnfromtlie ( poor people. 'IV middlo and rich class have been projected, and have not had a hardship. AVo are beginning to get it warm again, and I was hoping to be out of Egypt before another summer set in, but I am afraid wo are here for a' few months yet. As soon as things are squared up here I will lio*going to 'England to hand over, and after that I will be ready for New Zealand." J