CAMPS VISITED

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20912, 18 September 1939, Page 11

CAMPS VISITED

WELLINGTON AREA MINISTERS WELL SATISFIED PROVISION OF AMENITIES (By Telegrapa.—special to Times) WELLINGTON, Sunday Camps and military depots in and about Wellington were inspected by a Parliamentary party accompanied by senior military officers yesterday. The party consisted of the aoting-Prime Minister, the lion. P. Fraser; the Minister of Defence, the lion. F. Jones; the Hon. W. E. Barnard, Speaker of the House of Representatives; Messrs J. A. Lee and J. Hargest, M.P.’s; Major-General J. E. Duigan, Chief of the General Staff; LieutenantColonel W. G. Stevens, and Mr C. A. Berendsen, permanent head of the Prime Minister’s Department. The object of the p'arty was to examine preparations for the defence of tho city and for the reception and training both of the men called for that purpose and of the Wellington section of the special force now being raised. The first call w-as made at Trentham. Questions of equipment and suppiy were investigated and tlie party Inspected the stores and buildings under construction. The new camp being built was also inspected. Anti-aircraft posts were visited in the afternoon. With Colonel C. E. Puttick, the party inspected gun crews, their quarters and equipment. Other anti-aircraft measures taken in the vicinity of Wellington were explained. The ports were also visited. Camp Amenities Particular attention was paid by the Ministers to accommodation, clothing, bedding, food, washing and other facilities. Both Mr Fraser and Mr Jones later said they were satisfied that all phases of the work were well in hand and were being most creditably performed. They were impressed by the great amount of work done in so short a time, and were confident that all necessary steps were being taken to ensure the comfort and welfare of the men. Some of the men had had a difficult time in the first few days of mobilisation, but this was rapidly overcome and excellent camping provision was now being made. CHURCH ARMY OFFER WORK AMONG SOLDIERS (Special to Times) AUCKLAND, Monday An offer made by the Church Army in New Zealand at the outbreak of war to place the whole of its organisation and resources at the disposal of the Church of England for its service and work among New Zealand soldiers at home or overseas has been accepted by Archbishop Averill and senior chaplains. The Church Army proposes not only to equip and staff huts in camps where the chaplains consider it necessary, but also to provide soldiers’ clubs and rest rooms in towns adjacent to camps. It also intends to provide travelling officers for making periodical visits to small camps. For the initiation of the work at least £3OOO will be required. For nearly two years the Church Army has had a full-time worker stationed at the military training school at Narrow Neck. His work has been greatly increased recently. During the war of 1914-18, the Church Army provided and maintained over 2000 huts and shelters, many in dugouts under enemy lire, for men on all fronts.