STANDARD PARCELS FOR PRISONERS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2981, 19 January 1917, Page 6

STANDARD PARCELS FOR PRISONERS

RED CROSS COMMITTEE'S NEW SCHEME

SOLID AND VARIED FOOD

The Central Prisoners of War Committee of the British Red Cross Socioty and the Order of St. John recently decided upon a scries o[ standard parcels which can be sent to prisoners' of war afc the cost of tlioso Regimental Care Committees and other authorised organisations or individuals who desiro the Central Committee to pack and distribute gifts for tliom. The price of each parcel of food has been fixed at 6s. Tlio committee lias arranged tlioso parcels after considering information as to wants received from prisoners, including repatriated prisoners, and after obtaining advice from others who have taken an interest in. these matters for a long time. They will he subject to alteration with a view to improvement if possible, and tlie Central Committee will bo glad to meet,' as far ae possible, the -wishes of any regiment for which it packs. The Central Committee has its own buyer, and in connection with every feature of tho parcels a special point will be- mado of sceinu; that the goods arc of the host quality. It is proposal that throe of these parcels shall bo sent to each, man in a fortnight. Their contents,will be:. , "A." lib. biscuits ilb. vegetables (cabJib, beef . bagc, brnssels Jib. cheese in tins sprouts, turnips, Jib lea •• or carrots) 50 cigarettes Jib. milk (Woodbines) 31b. sugar lib. tin of jam Jib. lnarsnrine. 1 tin rations 1 tin sardines "B." Jib. biscuits Jib. sugar I tin herrings lib. milk 1 tin Oxo cubes Pepper, salt, miisJlb. tin of cocoa tard lib. cooked ham in 1 tin sausages tin Jib. dripping in 2oz. tobacco , tin "C." 1 tin fruit 3 soup squares 1 tin salmon 1 tin prunes Jib. ration biscuits Jib. chocolate I tin sri'up lib. figs Jib. tin cafo au lait Jib. margarine 1 tin beef "D." I tin marnialado Jib. sugar Jib. liinch tongue 3 soup squares 1 tin pasto Jib. biscuits . 1 tin baked beans *lb. dripping in tins Jib. ham in tin 50 cigarettes Jib. tea, lib. Quaker oats

It is suggested that those parcels should bo sent in rotation, so that tho prisoner will liavo variety iii.his food. All the parcels arc based on a definite standard of nutritive value and have been pronounced by the War Office food oxpert thoroughly satisfactory in this respect. Everything in the; parcels, too, is arranged" in correlation, the amount of sugar sent, for instance, being adjusted in accordance with tho fact that syrup and jam and such other swoctstuffs are included. Tho great thing aimed at is to give the men very solid and very good food in sufficient quantity. Small quantities of ordinary toilet requisites and other similar necessaries will be included in tho parcels from time to time without extra charge.

"First Capture" Parcels. In addition to theso regular parcels of foodstuffs another and very essential parcel has been arranged for, the "first capture" parcel, which will be sent as. soon as news is -received that a man has been taken prisoner. In such circumstances a man, generally speaking, has nothing -but what-ho stands up in, and is in immediate need of ordinary necessities of existence, as distinct from food and drink. The parcel, which will cost about 75., will be made Tip of the following articles: — 1 Cardigan jacket Tooth-powder 1 pair socks Shaving-bruslr Toilet paper Stick shaving soap 3 handkerchiefs Safety-razor. 2 tovela .Tin-opener Tin vaseline Spoon and fork Brush and comb Iloiisewife and Toothbrush mending materials It is hoped to obtain at Berne and' at the newly-established Eed Cross Bureau in. Copenhagen early news of captures, and these parcels will be sent from these centres at once. Special invalid-parcels will ho sent to a man on the.request of the committee, organisation, oi 1 individual who has undertaken responsibility for his care. They will contain according to requirements such articles as: — j lib. tin condensed 1 tin of bovril milk I bottle extract of •- lib. cocoa ■ malt or ovomal•ilb. 6Ugar ' tine, or Mellin's lib. cod-liver oil food, capsules Special arrangements for packing parcels and for the purchase of suplies havo been made by the Central Committee at its headquarters at 4, Tluirloe Place, Kensington; a large packing-room has been arranged, which will be staffed by voluntary ladypackers, working under the supervision of trade experts. There the parcels will be caref-ully packed and addressed in duplicate. Each label will bear the name of the Bender, whether regimental committee or individual, and will have marked on it a large Red Cross." which will ensure for the parcel special consideration even in enemy countries. It may be added that other parcels can be arranged for ai special prices. Thero will be a special branch to deal with theso parcels.