PRISONERS OF WAR

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 206, 1 September 1941, Page 8

PRISONERS OF WAR

NEW ZEALAND AND GENEVA

TWO-WAY SERVICE NEEDED The need for a two-way official cable communication weekly between New Zealand and a Dominion representative who should be appointed in Geneva, headquarters of the International Red Cross Committee, was stressed by Mrs. J. D. Derig. secretary of the Mount Eden brancli of the Red Cross Society, who said that relatives of many missing soldiers "believed to be prisoners of war" are becoming desperate at official delays in providing confirmation.

Although a large staff at Geneva was working efficiently, the system would be improved if a New Zealander was appointed to establish personal contact there. Delays were occurring at present as a result of advice being sent by air mail to New Zealand, and a two-way cable service was essential if relatives of members of the forces were to get the consideration due to them.

Mrs. Derig stated that prepaid telegrams sent by relatives in NewZealand of missing men to Geneva were costing up to £4 5/ and £4 15/, and not everyone could afford this.

CABLE RATES

MESSAGES TO GENEVA Confusion in the minds of the public apparently exists regarding cablegram rates from here to Geneva. Inquiry at the Chief Post Office to-day resulted in the following information. The full cable rate to Geneva is 2/6 a word. The deferred rate is 1/3 a word, this being a slightly slower delivery. The letter cable rate, which takes two or three days to reach Geneva, is £1 0/10 for 24 words and lOd for every word after that.

As a result of the exchange an extra 2/6 has to Tie allowed on every 10/ on a prepaid reply. The amount paid for a reply depends upon what length the sender wishes the return cablegram to be.

Mrs. Hiddlestone, wife of Major John Hiddlestone, senior Baptist chaplain, said to-day that reports of cablegrams to the Red Cross at Geneva costing over £4 were misleading. When Major Hiddlestone was reported missing, Mrs. Hiddlestone sent a cable to Geneva on the advice of a member of the executive of the Auckland Red Cross. Within two days she had a reply, the cost being £1 13/11 at the deferred rate.

The cablegram was addressed to "Agence Central Prisonniers Guerre, Geneva, Switzerland," and the context gave Major Hiddlestone's number, rank and name, with the request "cable information," and the words "missing Crete" added. It was signed "Hiddlestone, Epsom." Payment for a reply of 10 words was made. A friend immediately followed her example, and received the reply in six days, the cost being £1 12/6.