GIFT CIGARETTES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 288, 17 September 1941, Page 3

GIFT CIGARETTES.

EXAGGERATED REPORTS OF SALE (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, Sept. 16. ‘Reports of the sale of gift cigarettes are exaggerated, hut that some sales do take place is undoubtedly true,” writes Lieutenant-Colonel F. Waite, Overseas Commissioner to the National Patriotic Fund Board in a report to the Board on the complaints of the sale in canteens of gift cigarettes sent from New Zealand by patriotic organisations as gifts to the troops overseas. The Board recently decided that all gift cigarettes in future should have the words “patriotic issue” overprinted on the packets. “After every issue of gift cigarettes a crop of complaints- arises,” states the report. “I have asked all officers ana welfare workers to try to get definite evidence of the sales of ■ these gift cigarettes I have followed up some cases very closely, but easy as it is iu get a copy of the printed slip (inserted in tins by the Patriotic Councils) it-is very difficult to sheet home definite evidence of the ‘gift cigarette’ sale. I am satisfied that sales of gift cigarettes do take place. lam equally satisfied that sales take place without the sanction of anyone in authority.”