WAR CONTINGENT ASSOCIATION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17692, 1 August 1919, Page 8

WAR CONTINGENT ASSOCIATION

D EMOB/LISATION "WORK. (Feoji Oub Own Correspondent.) _ t LONDON, June 14. weeks' delay in January and February in the despatch of transports for New Zealand, tho life of the Now Zealand War Contingent Association, has.baen considerably prolonged. The executive has decided that so long as members of tho N.Z.E.F. are in the United Kingdom it is its duty to soo that tha men's interests are looked after. Mr I. W. Raymond, chairman of tho executive tella me 1 that during the last three months the clubs and recreation rooms at Brooksnhurst, Boacombe, Hornohurch, and Ewshott have been closed and realisations effected. Providing that transports are not detained through industrial troubles, Walton, Codford, and Qatlands will be closed by tho end of July, ihe head office at High Holborn and tho canteen adjoining at 11 Southaaijpton row Will probably have to keep going until the end or August. Toiling the period from the Ist January to tho # ond of May, the activities of tho association have included providing entertamments for the hospital paticotß° and fit men m a variety of ways. The total number entertained in January was 10 492 96 °6. Mm* 9498, April 8600, May tiM. Concerts, theatre parties to London, visits to the country and to London, river picnics and boating- were the favourite forms of amusement. A feature of the work of tho hospitality department haa evsr be«n to secure hospitality in the country. Tho hosts and hostesses in tho United Kingdom have been most generous in this respect, Mid thousands of our boys can return to the dominion having partaken of tho kindnesses ol tho people here.

A buying department was found necessary. as it became known that tho soldiors wero being victimised by the trades people 1 his department has rendered invu.lua.hle help to tho boys. At the canteen at 11 Southampton row boys from hospitals have always boon entertamcd as guests. This canteen has teen a boon to fit men during their stay in London It is also largely patronised by tho stalf of tho military headquarters. The canteen workers havo valiantly stuck to thair job, although the -war is over, feelinir that now more than at any time the men require homePy surroundings, as they are at loose ends.

The clubs at the various camps have been a great factor in the lives of tlve men. Ihcy have oyer boon the popular rendezvous, and with their comfortable reading rooms, social hall, games, home-made confectionary, and good tea at prices fully 50 per cent. Iks than in the usual tea rooms, have contributed substantially towards making tho soldiers less disgruntled with their

Providing oatgoinjr transports -Bath games, sports material, and deck chairs was reoognissd as a necessity if the men were to bo kept m healthy occupation.The O 0 of each transpodt is handed a cheque to cover outlay in the purchase of prizes and i 30,000 men wcro returning at three shillings per head this represents a consKfonuMo expenditure. It is howevar, money well spent. ' Contributions have also been made towards sports at Slincr Camp and in victualimp men who have been taking part in the va-noua rarocessions hold recently in London Tlus short sketch gives somo iclsa of the very neccssary uses to whioh the money sent from New Zealand is being- put.