SUPPLY OF COMFORTS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 7 October 1940, Page 6

SUPPLY OF COMFORTS

DISTRIBUTION IN EGYPT MR V. JONES’S FAREWELL REPORT. NEED OF CONTINUED PUBLIC SUPPORT. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, October 7. In a report dated September 6, Mr Victor Jones, who went away as the Patriotic Fund Board’s representative in Egypt, mentions that as troops have taken the field, grants from the funds have been made to each of the units on the basis, of 5s per head, to be spent on fresh fruit and -vegetables, cigarettes/ reading materials, radios and recreational gear. There have been other substantial payments from the funds and they serve to underline the cost involved in providing comforts for a large body of men and the need for substantial public support to enable the board to fulfil its responsibility to all members of the forces overseas. He mentions, for example, that approximately £3OO went for freight cn gift goods, £3OO for a new mobile unit and £ 130 for cool drinks for unit picnics. There has been a distribution of 150,000 cigarettes to the sick in hospital. Sight-seeing transportation has been given to over 600 convalescents. Four additional radios have been sent to the Desert. A gift comprising personal toilet articles aqd other goods was placed aboard a ship bringing back discharged men and £lO5 was advanced for their entertainment in port en route. . Mr Jones has received an appointment with the British Army and Mr F. E. S. Long, another Y.M.C.A. officer, is acting in his stead.