PATRIOTIC PARCELS

Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 270, 10 August 1943, Page 4

PATRIOTIC PARCELS

Appreciated By Men Overseas When the patriotic gift parcels scheme was started for the New Zealand Forces overseas it was not introduced as a major activity. The object was to ensure, as far as transport difficulties would allow, that parcels were received at intervals from the Dominion as a whole to supplement those sent direct by relatives and friends and in particular to make provision for men with few relatives. All members of the forces, however, are keen about the patriotic parcels, which cost on the average about 10/- each. They are the subject of special mention in the latest report received from the Patriotic Board Commissioner in the Middle East, Lieutenant-Colonel Waite.

Writing after the North African campaign he says: “We sent up to Tripoli, by sea, all the parcels we had,,and most of our stock of gift cigarettes and all the tobacco. Variety of food was non-exist-ent in Tripoli, and the distribution of the parcels and cigarettes at the advanced base was much appreciated. Men once again got some welcome variety into their ‘tucker boxes.’ “This gift parcels scheme is one of the romances of the war. To think that New Zealand women in every city and every little district get these parcels packed; that they come over 10,000 miles of seaway in wartime, and eventually get to the boys in their faraway desert bivouacs, is nothing less than u modern miracle. We .are indebted to every branch of the Second N.Z.E.F., from the highest administrative officers down to 'the N.Z. A.S.C. drivers, for their practical help and interest. The contents of the parcels could hardly be bettered. The inclusion of small books or magazines is a great improvement. The other two items which are very scarce and expensive here are writing paper and playing cards. Ordinary playing cards cost from 5/- to' 8/- a pack. Even the little packs of patienee» cards printed in New Zealand are received with great joy. “You may get complaints from time to time that some boys do not get parcels. Every unit gets what it shows on its ration strength, and if a man misses his parcel he complains right away. A few mon are always absent without leave. They might miss. Those who are in Punishment Centre 1 or in detention outside the 2nd N.Z.E.F. are not allowed to get parcels, under British rules. In many cases we cannot overcome this. But in general, every man gets a parcel; if he does not. it is not our fault.”

Colonel Waite refers to the arrival of more material for making ice cream and delicacies for the Maori Battalion, and praises the type and condition of another consignment of books sent for the libraries. “Our sincere thanks.” he adds, “are due to the New Zealand Library Association and the Wellington Returned Services Association, whose names seem to appear most frequently on the stamps in this consignment of books.”