GAMP AMENITIES

Evening Star, Issue 23380, 25 September 1939, Page 2

GAMP AMENITIES

•‘WET" CANTEENS ADVOCATED PROFITS TO GO TO SOLDIERS [Peb United Press Association.] AUCKLAND, September 24, The establishment of “ wet ” canteens at every camp is being strongly urged by the executive of the Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association. It is also proposed that full control of the canteens should be given by the State j to the Dominion Returned Soldiers i Association, and that all profits be : taken into a general fund for .the supply of comforts and relief to_ the men on their return. The object is to ensure that the men themselves will get the benefit of the proceeds from their own spending, and not private organisations. This move is one of a senes being undertaken by the executive. All are based upon members’ own experience as soldiers, and an important consideration, said by the president (Mr J. W. Kendall) to be guiding them, is the knowledge that, like the children or other people, some of their own sons may be required to pass through what they experienced! 25 years ago. In response to a request from the Dominion body for suggestions, the Auckland executive has considered every aspect of camp life and active service conditions abroad. The recommendations resulting have been made with a view to safeguarding the interests of the men who are about to enter military service. The recommendation for the establishment of “ wet ” canteens, said Mir Kendall, was based on the ground that men who are enlisting will not be under 21 years of age, as some wore in the last war, and consequently they were entitled to full adult civilian rights. In addition, however, the executive favours the establishment also of “ dry ” canteens. It is urged that the Government should erect a suitable building in each main camp to house a “ dry ” canteen, and also provide reading and writing rooms. The same control as for “ wet ” canteens is urged for “ dry ” ones. The executive considers that urgent steps must bo taken if it is to be ensured that the profits from all canteens are to be devoted to the benefit of the men themselves, instead of going to swell the funds of private bodies.