N.Z. FORCES CLUB

Wairarapa Times-Age, 23 August 1941, Page 6

N.Z. FORCES CLUB

ADMINISTRATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE

OPENING MEETING HELD.

ALL UNITS REPRESENTED,

(N.Z.E.F. Official News Service) CAIRO. July 29.

In order to assist in the administration of the New Zealand Forces Club. Cairo, a general committee comprising representatives from all N.Z.E.F. units within a 25-nffle radius of Cairo has been set up. This committee held its. first meeting last week under the chairmanship of Brigadier A. S. Falconer. In addition to 57 representatives from the units, there were present Major-General B. C. Freyberg. V.C.. G.0.C., 2nd N.Z.E.F., and Mrs Freyberg, Lt.-Col. Hon. F. Waite. Commissioner for the National Patriotic Funds Board, and Captain H. Turner, manager of the club.

In opening the meeting General Freyberg explained that the committee was intended to act in a joint advisory capacity to the executive committee of the club. When the organisation of the club had first been discussed a number of meetings of units representatives had been held, and as a result of the discussions the general lines upon which the club was to be run had been decided upon. He pointed out that the supervision of the club was better carried out by the Base organisation. as it was permanently located in the Cairo area. If the Division moved into active theatres of operation, representatives of units could still be sent to attend meetings. Colonel Waite outlined to the meeting the financial aid accorded the club from the patriotic funds, and made it clear that* the Patriotic Funds Board considered that the object of the club should be service to the men. If profits were made they should be used to provide further facilities and services. Brigadier J. Hargest referred to the success which had attended the efforts of Mrs Freyberg and the committee of the New Zealand Club in London in forming a club for the use of members of the 2nd N.Z.E.F. in Britain. He felt sure that the formation of a general committee to assist in the running of the Forces Club in Cairo would prove a step in the right direction.

Brigadier Falconer, in introducing Mrs Freyberg. said that they were very fortunate to have her with them on the committee, where her experience had already proved of great value. In reply Mrs Freyberg gave an account of the proposed activities of her department at the club, including the installation of new counters now being constructed and the proposed sale of sandwiches, cakes, and salads. Mrs Freyberg drew attention to the difficulty of obtaining sufficient women helpers for the club, and mentioned the valuable assistance given by Mrs Blackford, a New Zealander residentin Cairo.

In this connection the chairman mentioned that it was proposed to add to the club's staff thirty New Zealand A.T.S. workers, who, under the guidance of Mrs Freyberg, should be able to render valuable assistance in the catering and distribution side of the club’s activities.

Unit delegates were then given ar opportunity"of raising any questions they considered should be discussed.