CANTEENS IN EGYPT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 January 1941, Page 3

CANTEENS IN EGYPT

OPPOSITION LEADER RECEIVES COMPLAINTS. FULL INVESTIGATION WANTED. ißy Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH. January 8. The Leader of the Opposition. Mr Holland, has received complaints that canteen arrangements for New Zealand troops in Egypt are not. satisfactory. This is indicated in a letter sent by Mr Holland to the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser. He compares the arrangements made for the Australian troops, who are supplied with many popular Australian brands of goods, with those made for New Zealanders. Mr Holland's letter: "I have received from many parts of New Zealand, as well as from nty own electorate, a considerable number of eomplaints concerning the canteen arrangements for our men in Egypt. "The complaints have been so numerous and so general in character that I desire to urge that an exhaustive inquiry be immediately instituted and appropriate remedies applied so that our men can have an efficent service at a reasonable cost.” The complaints received all refer to the extremely high prices and poor quality of most goods, but specially of tobacco, and it is pointed out that the /Australians have refused to have anything to do with what is known as the N.A.A.F.1.. which apparently controls the New Zealand can/eens. The Australians are running their own canteens. staffed with their own mon and stocked with many popular Australian, brands of goods. Those arrangements are giving every satisfaction, whereas the New Zealanders are dissatisfied poorly serviced and overcharged. Instances can be quoted of New Zealanders being charged almost double the prices the /Australians have* to pay for ■.he '-ami' class of goods. ‘ I hope that immediate steps will be taken to investigate fully these complaints. so that our men can be given as efficient a service as appears to be provided by the Australians fur themselves. Our men are entitled to the very best we can give them and I commend this matter m y..ur earnest consideration.''