URGENT NEEDS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20101, 22 November 1939, Page 14

URGENT NEEDS

COMFORTS FOR TROOPS REGIMENTAL FINANCE SPORTS GEAR AND MUSIC COLONEL HARGEST’S PLEA (Special to the Herald.) WELLINGTON, this day. “As one with some experience, I can say that there has never been a force in New Zealand better fed, better housed, and better supplied with warm underclothing than lhe one now in training. The army authorities have done well. Naturally, some essentials are overlooked when a large body of men are brought together hurriedly, while other requirements are better provided by voluntary effort than by the army authorities," states Colonel J. Hargest, M.P., in an appeal made on behalf of the National Patriotic Council for funds to meet urgent needs /in tile expeditionary force camps. Colonel Hargest mentions that the camp comforts committee of the council had visited all the main camps, and also the naval base at Auckland. It found the troops being well catered for in practically every way, but there were some things lacking which were most important from the point of view of the comfort and mental well-being of the forces. “Our investigations show that certain amenities are urgently needed," continues the appeal. “There are no bands, and they are badly needed. Ail the soldiers respond to the joy of listening to good music. Soon after war was declared, the Mayor of Auckland loaned a complete set of band instruments. The need for bands elsewhere we considered to be so urgent that we made an immediate appeal. An instant and generous response came in the gift by the Nimmo family. to the Mayor of Wellington, of a complete set of band instruments for use in Trentham Camp. The Mayor of Palmerston Borough, in Otago, wired his council’s offer of the loan of a full set of instruments. The Mayor of Christchurch lias already some hundreds of pounds for this deserving object. Eight Complete Bands Wanted “We require immediately at least eight complete bands, tile personnel to be composed of home service men who will provide permanent camp bands, and the remainder to be attached to the battalions as they arc formed, possibly for service overseas. I am sure that we will get the bands we require. "Regimental funds are urgently needed. During the last war, Unpeople of New Zealand gave most generously to these funds and smoothed over many hard patches. When a regiment is mobilised, there are many things required that are never provided by the army. One so often sees men with badly-fitting uniforms which can be smartened up by a tailor. T 0 do this, machines are necessary, and in addition, irons to iron hats and to press trousers would be appreciated. Further supplies of thread, are also needed. “Twenty years ago we attempted to tailor every man in the regiments abroad. The effect on their selfesteem was most marked. It is very hard to be a smart soldier if you have badly-fitting clothing and boots. There are many other claims on regimental funds—such as comforts for men after a hard day’s march or following a battle, fresh fruit and vegetables tb vary the army diet, and perhaps a small treat when conditions have not been good and when men are likely to become despondent. A modest Christmas dinner for a battalion of 800 men alone costs £l5O. Gear For Team Games. “The men in camp need sports gear. We ask for funds for supplying each unit with the equipment necessary to enable the men to participate in learn games —cricket gear, basketball and baseball equipment, swimming suits and boxing gloves are all required, and we ask for a liberal response in this connection. “Lastly, Christmas is approaching, qnd I feel sure that if we ask the women of New Zealand for parcels, our request will not be ignored. Most of the men will be in camp, separated from their friends, and gifts of all the things that go to make Christmas a happy season will be most welcome. So far we have every reason to be most grateful for the response we have received.

“We were told a short while ago that if we desired to send Christmas gifts to the men on New Zealand war vessels at present on the high seas, the gifts would have to be sent almost immediately. In two hours we received a gift of £2OO from the Auckland provincial fund, and in two days .the goods were sent. We are further asking for gifts for New Zealanders garrisoning 'the lonely outposts of the Empire, and that appeal has been met in the same generous spirit.”