MILITARY CAMPS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20051, 25 September 1939, Page 12

MILITARY CAMPS

WET AND DRY CANTEENS MOVE BY EX-SOLDIERS CONTROL OF FUNDS BENEFIT OF TROOPS (Per Press Association.) AUCKLAND, this day. 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 to the Dominion Returned Soldiers’ 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 get the benefit of the proceeds from their own spending and not private organisations. This move is one of a series being undertaken by the executive. All are based upon members’ own experience as soldiers, and an important consideration, said by the president, Mr. J. VV. Kendall, to be guiding them is the knowledge that, like the children of other people, some of their own sons may be required to pass through what they experienced 25 years ago. Response to Request

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 re-, commendations resulting have been marie 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 Mr. Kendall, was based on the ground that the men who are enlisting will not be under 21 years of age as some were in the last war, and consequently they are 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 the “dry” canteen and also provide reading and writing rooms. The same control for “wet” canteens is urged for “dry” ones.

The executive considers that urgent steps must be taken if it is to be ensured that the profits from all canleans are to be devoted to the benefit of the men themselves, instead of going to swell the funds of private bodies