PRISONERS OF WAR

Evening Post, Volume CXXXV, Issue 19, 23 January 1943, Page 4

PRISONERS OF WAR

PARCELS DISTRIBUTED

The Prisoners of War Inquiry Office reiterates that prisoners of war in Italy are not permitted to receive any shirts other than khaki coloured. This regulation applies even to naval and Air Force prisoners of war. The P.O.W, packing centre has this month received a large number of parcels for men in Italian camps in which were included civilian and other types of walking shoes. These shoes are being returned to the next-of-kin, as it has been stated on two occasions recently that they are definitely banned for prisoners in Italy, but Army boots, sandshoes, and soft indoor slippers may still be sent. Sandals or slippers with a leather sole are rejected by the censor. Food parcels actually packed and dispatched from New Zealand are now freely arriving in the prison campi, and cabled advice has been received this week that the British Red Cross has received a message of appreciation of the New Zealand food parcels from camp representatives of British prison- i ers of war. PRISONERS IN JAPAN. Cabled information has been received from the International Red Cross to the effect that their representative in the Far East distributed before Christmas food parcels to approximately 2500 prisoners of war and internees in camps in Yokohama and the vicinity of Tokio. The cable also states that Woosung Camp, in Shanghai, is amply supplied with books and recreational facilities and sports gear sup-1 Kong the Red Cross representative collected and delivered to P.O.W. camps 3000 books; to Camp Stanley 1000 books, besides several hundred books for children were provided. The Red Cross also advises that further purchases are being effected with available funds. It is stated that recreationali facilities and sports gear supplied to Camp Stanley are ample. Information has been received from a sergeant in Camp Ofl ag 111 C that in November he had received parcels posted from New Zealand in April and July. REGULAR PARCELS. The Inquiry Office headquarters has received a letter direct from a prisoner at P.G. 57. This was written on October 24, and expresses thanks for the work done by the P.O.W. Inquiry Office, particularly for men in Italian camps. He states his camp has been receiving parcels regularly. Besides the New Zealand jparcels they have had Canadian, Scottish, and English. This camp is very well organised, with a gopd library and plenty of amusement and sport. bMost of the prisoners play baseball and cricket, while there is badminton, volley ball, and several balls to kick about. He states that the concerts are remarkably good. The Prisoners of War Inquiry Office would appreciate copies of letters from prisoners in Japanese hands.