THE PRISONERS OF WAR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3160, 11 August 1917, Page 8

THE PRISONERS OF WAR

Sir—l" The Dominion of fAiignst 7 you publish a statement, with the authority of the Minister of Defence, that reports from the High Commissioner make it clear "that the present procedure respecting the forwarding of pnrcels to prisoners of war is not satisfactory." May I <lraw your attention to a system that has proved itself efficient in providing and forwarding parcels to prisoners of war in Germimy since tho retreat from irons. The Church Army is not, as yet, as well ■known in New Zealand as the Y.If.C.A., which body is doing splendid wovlc at the front. But in England the name of the Church Army is a household word by reason of long years of faithful service among the poor, who testify their gratitude by giving ,£20,000 a year in penny donations out of the total of JC3OOiOOO given to spend amongst the poor and friendless. And now during tho war tho Church Army is eecond to none in its efforts for tho bodily comfort and spiritual welfare of our sailors and soldiers at Homo and abroad, and for their wives and dependants left behind, and also for those faithful munition worlcore on whom so much depends. I quote from a Church Army book, published in England, which says: "At quite an early period of the war we began 6ending parcels of food and other comforts to British prisoners <.f"war in Germany, ami at tho present time (1917)

thousands of parcels are tent weekly! some to individual soldiers and otheri to N.C.O.'s in the camp for distribution amongst men having no friends to send them parcels. Each parcel costs (ivo shillings, and contains a ■warm article of clothing and eomo little comforts in the way of food and tobacco, with a testament or prayer-book and a cheery card. The numerous acknowledgments which are received are full of gratitude."" As you see, this organisation is in. working order, and the Church Army would,be only 100 glad to do the same kind offices for New Zealand friends as for those in England. For tho sum o? five shillings you can gladden the heart of a British prisoner of war in Germany. Send direct to Prebendary Carlile, Hon. Sec. Church Army, Marble Arch, London, W.I. For Gifts to Prisoners' Department, or to the undersigned, F. W. WHIBLBY, lion. Sec. Church Army ;n N.Z; The Vicarage, Ormondville, Hawke's Bay.