AMERICAN EXODUS

Dominion, Volume 37, Issue 223, 17 June 1944, Page 6

AMERICAN EXODUS

Vacation Of Northern Establishments CHANGES ANTICIPATED Dominion Special Service. AUCKLAND, June 16There are definite indications that the anticipated reduction of American activity in New Zealand is now taking place, In particular, it is expected that there will be a progressive and rapid reduction of naval activity in the next few months, and it would not be surprising if existing establishments had been virtually abandoned by the spring. The trend has been clearly indicated by recent announcements that various premises have been vacated. 'lhe most important of these have been the camps at Paekakariki, the hospitals at Silverstream and Avondale, and the officers mess at the Grand Hotel, Auckland, and the Arundel private hotel, Auckland. It is obvious that the American naval authorities are following the policy ot vacating premises immediately the need to use them has disappeared. It is equally apparent that the progress ot war in the Pacific has made it unnecessary and probably uneconomical to maintain a large base at Auckland when this urea is so distant from the scene of operations, specially as successive island captures have provided the Americans with a variety of excellent bases much nearer thp enemy. . . . The resulting reduction of activity in New Zealand will affect a number ot establishments and spheres of work. Ihe naval operating base at Auckland still maintains a large mobile hospital at Remuera barracks in the Domain and Victoria Park and at Mechanics Bay. and a headquarters in the Government Buildings in Jean Batten Place. Ihe duties it fulfils particularly in the employment it •fives New Zealanders in several avenues, also affect the life of the community in many other ways. . The exact effect of a general reduction of American activity on the employment of New Zealanders is still to be seen, but it can be expected that the Joint I urchasing Board., which handles purchases of New Zealand supplies for American forces will continue to be represented in New Zealand long after the operating base has been closed. Except for skeleton forces, the board will possibly be the only American service organization left in New Zealand. • . . , r>„ It is expected that the hospital at heinuera will be vacated very shortly. Ihe need to maintain the three barracks will also disappear, and it may wel be that the one at Mechanics Buy will be the most convenient to maintain for the slender maintenance forces left behind after the operating base moves out. If the expected reduction of naval establishments is accompanied, as is generally expected, by a similar reduction ot ariny establishments, the. effect on Auckland will be greater than ever. Army establishments include two hospitals, one a general and the other a station hospital various camns and barracks, two hotels and a large office building. The reduction would also aflect the American Red Cross, which has embarked on many activities since it came to New Zealand. For instance, it has leased buildings not only in Auckland, but also in Hamilton and Rotorua, and has built several rest camps for combat-weary personnel from the forward areas.