N.Z. PRISONERS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 284, 1 December 1941, Page 2

N.Z. PRISONERS

3591 IN GERMANY

THE PACKING OF PARCELS

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sunday. The total number of prisoners now officially advised and on the records of the Prisoners of War Inquiry Office is 3506, and in addition 85 are known, but not officially advised. The packing of food parcels for prisoners was begun in Wellington last week, and the voluntary women helpers have quite easily been handling the required number of 3000 a week. The transfer of New Zealand prisoners of war from various camps is only to be expected, and the Prisoners of War Inquiry Office in Wellington advises that next-of-kin need have no worry in that connection. The International Red Cross has cabled that the prisoners who were in camps Oflag V B, Oflag VII C, Oflag VII D, and Oflag IX A are now in Oflag yi B, and that prisoners who were in Stalag XXI B have now been sent to Stalag XXI D. Following information that officers "i Oflag X C, in letters to next-of-kin dated August, had stated that they had not received any Red Cross parcels, headquarters in Wellington communicated with Geneva, ana received the reply that the International Red Cross was not advised of the existence of Oflag X C until the beginning of September. Geneva immediately arranged for parcels to be sent, and the first consignment went forward on September 17. Between then and October 24, 4246 parcels were dispatched. About October 24 all those prisoners were transferred to Oflag VI B, and supplies were continued to that camp. It is possible under certain conditions to arrange for a certain quantity of special foods to be smt to prisoners who are ill and require special diets. Next-of-kin are therefore asked to inform the Prisoners of War Office if they receive any information from prisoners stating that they require any special diets or special invalid comforts. If relatives know of a prisoner being continuously in ill-health, he could be asked to make inquiries as to whether any special foods have been received in his camp. It is inadvisable to send chocolate in next-of-kin parcels. Half a pound of chocolate is included in every weekly food parcel that leaves both Canada and New Zealand.