ACCOMMODATION FOR SOLDIERS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 5, 1 October 1943, Page 6

ACCOMMODATION FOR SOLDIERS

Christchurch Problem

Dominion Special Service. CHRISTCHURCH, September 29. Attention to the plight of soldiers on weekend leave in Christchurch, due to lack of accommodation, was drawn 'by memfbers at today’s meeting of the Canterbury Provincial Patriotic Council. The mayor. Mr. E. 11. Andrews, stated that last week the Young Men s Christian Association had to accommodate w men on the floor of its building. “Surely it is our duty to see that these men have somewhere to sleep,” he declared. “It is not right that they should be -wandering about the city or sleeping on river banks. "\V e owe a duty to them Vi this matter.” The discussion arose over thereceipt <*£ a reply from the National Patriotic js’und Board, which declined to subsidize money which had already <oeen voted by the council for the provision of extra accommodation for visiting soldiers at the Y-M-CA. The chairman of the standing committee." Mr. W. S. Mac Gibbon, who supported the remarks of the mayor, moved that the council pay the additional £o2u outstanding (which it had Deen hoped the National IFnnd Board would have subsidized). “AVe can send a deputation to the board later and explain the circumstances.” said Mr. 'MacGibbon. T fee that when the members know tlie full circumstances they 'will be more sympathetic. There is an imperative need for accommodation in Christchurch at ■ftris moment.” The situation at weekends, said .Mr. LF. Wilcox, secretary of the Returned Services Association, was “absolutely serious.” ~ , . . Dr. J. .Leslie Will said that the Union Jack Club (of which he was president) had provided accommodation for more than 100.000 men since it had been established. He suggested that the standing committee should investigate the position and all possible sources of accommodation. The council adopted both suggestions.