PARCELS FOR J FORCE

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25129, 10 March 1947, Page 2

PARCELS FOR J FORCE

Sir, —The report of the delay in dispatch of parcels to Britain prompts me to inquire about parcels for our soldiers in Japan. Colonel Waite recently urged the sending of more parcels, and parents wefe led to expect an early announcement of a sailingdate for parcels to J Force. Post Office officials say that they have no information. Wil! the Minister of Defence illuminate this obscure position? It is 12 weeks since the Nellore sailed with parcels for Christmas, and quite time that we knew if and when a parcel mail is to close for Easter. —Yours, etc., JAFE. Oamaru, February 26, 1947. The following comment is supplied from the Postmaster-General’s Office: “At present there are no direct vessels scheduled from New Zealand to Japan and, in these circumstances, parcels are being dispatched by every vessel to Australia to connect with supply and other ships to Japan. The transit time by this route varies.but normally averages about two months. Letters are forwarded by air. If paid for air dispatch, they are included in mails which close in Christchurch at 9.30 a.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays* and are delivered in Japan five to six days later. If paid at surface rates, they still go forward by air; but the transit time is about 10 days and only one dispatch is made each week.”