HOSPITALS IN EGYPT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 March 1943, Page 2

HOSPITALS IN EGYPT

VISITED BY MINISTER OF DEFENCE KANTARA SEEN IN DUST STORM. IMPRESSIVE PARADE AT MAADI. (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service.) CAIRO, March 22. Dust drove through cracks and crannies, heaping on the floors as the New Zealand Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, passed through the wards of the general hospital at Kantara yesterday. Mr Jones was the first distinguished visitor to see Kantara during a dust storm. “Where do you come from?” he asked. The Replies from patients, orderlies, nurses and doctors varied from the Bluff to Western Samoa. Mr Jones shook hands with all. British patients were appreciative of Mr Jones’s interest in the welfare of the troops. This was the second New Zealand hospital visited, for on Saturday last Mr Jones visited the general hospital at Helwan. The Minister was accompanied on these visits by Brigadier McCormick. Mr Jones thanked the hospital staff for their devotion and sacrifices. At the training camp at Maadi, a force paraded today for the Minister. To the assembled troops he said: “This is one of the finest sights in a lifetime. We are proud of what you have done, and we know well that you will carry out your future combat duty with success.” The Minister congratulated them on their appearance and soldierly bearing. Many veterans of Greece, Crete and Libya marched past nine abreast. It was difficult to realise in this fine military unit a citizen force. At a tank school Mr Jones had a ride in a modern large American tank. He visited instructional workshops, talked with groups of men in training and met many old. acquaintances. During the march past, it was interesting to see the famous Kiwi dog, Major, leading the Wellington Regiment.