WORK FOR PRISONERS OF WAR

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 270, 13 August 1942, Page 3

WORK FOR PRISONERS OF WAR

Preparation Of Parcels

Five repatriated New Zealand prisoners of war in Italy, who had been through the Greece, Crete and Libyan campaigns, were introduced at a gatheriug in AV elUington yesterday afternoon arranged by the R.S.A. women’s section, and at which. Major and Mrs. Abel were host and hostess. The Y.M.C.A. lounge and adjoining boardroom were crowded with women relatives of men recently posted as missing and with those whose relatives were prisoners of war. Mrs. P. Fraser, wife of the Prime Minister, Mrs. T C. A. Hislop and Mrs. C. H. AV eston, president of the women’s section, were Major Abel, of the Prisoners of Mar Office, assured the women .that everything possible was done for New Zealand prisoners of war. No expense was spared in seeing that they obtained the necessary parcels through the Prisoners of Mar Office. There was definite evidence that personal parcels were getting through also. If articles were included in personal parcels contrary to the regulations, senders could not complain if they were confiscated before reaching the prisoner. If people kept to the official channels in sending parcels there was a greater likelihood of their reaching the destination safely. , , . . _ To the relatives who had men missing recently, Major Abel said he felt fairly safe in assuming that the greater bulk would turn up as prisoners ot war. -Lili such time as they were notified to this effect there was nothing anyone could do except be patient. , It was hoped soon that extra wool would be available exclusively for relatives who wished to make comforts tor war prisoners, and the Prisoners ot AV ar Office hoped to get woollen comforts to Italy in the early part of the winter for New Zealand men. There was no point in sending extra blankets to n?en in prison camps, for he understood that in. many cases the official issue was taken away from a man if he received more blankets from an outside source. A typical parcel as sent to prisoners of war from New Zealand was exhibited. There were honey, specially tinned, jam, two tins of the best tea, butter, cheese, a tin of lamb and green peas and one of roast beef, or perhaps it might be rabbit and bacon or other meat, raisins, chocolate. Anew pack of dried peas now in process of being packed was shown which Major Abel said were the verybest and had been tried out. There was a package of dried mint for these, and salt and a similar-sized pack of sugar filled the space left. Each parcel weighed 111 b. and the contents were made to fit like a jig-saw puzzle. If people could not afford to send parcels privately the Red Cross and St. John organization .would do so, but if they could afford itan evaded their, obligations the office would soon tell them about it, he said. Spring blossom and cyclamen shaded rhododendrons decorated the lounge. Later, afternoon tea was served, tins being the gift of Major and Mrsc Abel. Incidental music was played bj Mis. A. Barnett. Each guest wore her name-an the name of the prison camp m which she was interested, pinned ou.