LIFE IN PALESTINE.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 May 1918, Page 7

LIFE IN PALESTINE.

DESCRIBED BY TARANAKI MAN. Trooper R. W. kirkpatrick,' writing from 'Palestine on March 20th, 1918 to ins parents at Awatuna, siys: ',Our existence in these parts has suddenly been brightened by the coming into vogue of two newspapers—one the Palestine News and the other the Kia Ora Cooee. The former is a weekly newspaper, published for the whole of the Egyptian Expeditionary , Force and contains much that is- interesting I am posting a copy of the first edition. JJie Kia Ora Cooee is published for the benefit of the Australian and New Zealand troops, containing news cabled from our own lands. These two items will certainly go a long way to relieve the tension of army life, f or at the present time it is most difficult to get ■Egyptian papers. The paper itself is becoming, scarce. On the front page of the .Palestine News you will notice an advertisement under the heading of Fast Hotel, which in view of the fact that patrons are requested to bring their own rations, is appropriately named. This will show the shortage of food that has prevailed, and on .every hand we hear of the hardships suffered under the Turkish regime through the lack of food. The cost of the necessities of life has been sirnp y scandalous, and even when, the articles hare been available the people were not earning the money ,to pay the price required. Sugar is one item that comes to my mind. At the present time -s per pound, and e.ven at this figure the supply i s very limited. On the whole the people were reduced, to livin® on the products, of their gardens, .and. many or the substitutes for every-day articles were very clearly jnade. Coffee was made fropi burnt barley, and to. the inexperienced it defies;, detection..- In their dealings, too, t he Turks-were very harsh. Goods were commandeered without payment, gold confiscated and replaced. by worthless notes, and many unjust methods used in forcing men to join the army. For the produce of the land there was no outlet. A few oranges were sold at low jirices, but the bulk of them were given to the cattle. I have heard many pitiful talcs of the hard times experienced, under the Turk, and one can well understand the people's appreciation of the change which the coming of the Allies meant. Food is not ) et plentiful, but every da.y the organisation for the feeding of the population becomes more complete, and in a short time the people will be placed above want. , All produce used by the military authorities is now pa id'for., and military works provide employment for a large number of men. To assist with • the ploughing a number of horses have been lent to the farmers," and" by tho railway, which now opens up tlie wjiolft of the conquered territory, a' large amount of produce is sent to Egypt. The inhabitants say that,now it is°like living in a new country, and it must be satisfactory to those at the head of affairs to know that their efforts have afforded some benefit.