TOBACCO FOR PRISONERS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 82, 7 April 1943, Page 4

TOBACCO FOR PRISONERS

NEW ZEALAND'S POSITION If tobacco and cigarettes could be sent in parcels from next-of-kin in Australia and Canada to prisoners of war, as it was known they could be, New Zealanders should have the same privilege, stated members of the Auckland Metropolitan Patriotic Committee last night. In reply tb a question on the matter, the secretary of the National Patriotic Fund -Board, Mr. G. A. Hayden, had said that what may or may not be included in next-of-kin parcels was a matter of international convention. Supplies of New Zealand tobacco and cigarettes' Were forwarded to Geneva in bulk by the National Patriotic Fund Board for distribution among New Zealand prisoners of war. Miss B. E. Carnachan said she thought the reply most unsatisfactory. She knew that not all prisoners had received tobacco or cigarettes. * At the suggestion of the Mayor, Mr. Allum, it was decided to press the matter with the national secretary. - There was further discussion on the stopping of the sending of par-, eels to prisoners of war by men ot the Middle East forces. Letters had been received stating that this practice, which was a delight to the troops, had now been stopped. It was decided to ask the. Patriotic Fund Board to take steps to restore the privilege.