SOLDIERS ABROAD

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 280, 21 August 1940, Page 8

SOLDIERS ABROAD

Letters From Home Much Appreciated ADVICE TO FRIENDS Letters received from members of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force make it abundantly plain that they do appreciate hearing regularly from their relatives and friends in this country. To all old soldiers and others, who have been associated with the men on active service this is readily understandable. When mail day arrives, the soldier who receives no letter from home feels pretty blue. A reference to this was made in an interview by Miss I. G. Willis, Matron-in-Ohief of the New Zealand Army Nursing Service. Miss Willis said she knew well from her experience overseas in 1914-18 just bow disappointed a soldier felt when lie did not receive mail from home when all around him his pals were reading letters they had received and perhaps chuckling over little items. Not only was it of importance that Hie soldier overseas should he sent letters regularly, but every effort should be made to make the letters cheerful.

In the compilation of the booklet the National Patriotic Fund Board has produced, dealing with suitable comforts for the armed forces, how they should be packed, and containing other valuable advice for next-of-kin, the importance of those at home writing often has not been overlooked, special reference on the subject having been included. “Frequent and cheerful letters from friends and relatives,” runs an extract from the booklet, “can do more than anything else to keep up tlie spirits of the men and enable them to feel that they are not forgotten by those whom they have gone overseas to defend.” There is a further reference, aud this is more to the point. It reads: "To friends of men in the armed forces. —If you have not time to write regularly, send a newspaper; if you have not time to send a parcel; scud an order for £1; if you have no time to do any of these things ask yourself whether excuses will win the war. DO YOUR PART.”

Copies of tills handy booklet have now been sent by the printers to etten of the provincial patriotic councils. Advice has been received of the dispatch of Sl2O copies for Wellington, and so far as next-of-kin and friends of the men in the Wellington area are concerned, the booklets will be distributed through the Wellington Metropolitan Patriotic Committee. The National Patriotic Fund Board already has received a number of inquiries for the booklet, these having come from many places in both islands. There are .11 provincial patriotic councils, and supplies have been sent to eaclt of these for distribution in the areas they control.