"DO'S" AND "DON'TS"

Evening Post, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 65, 14 September 1943, Page 4

"DO'S" AND "DON'TS"

GIFTS FOR PACIFIC TROOPS O.C. South Pacific Base, Sept. 6.

What to send the boys who are fighting in the jungle countries of the South and South-west Pacific is a question that many mothers, wives, and sweethearts will be asking themselves as Christmas approaches. The question is as apposite in Australia and New Zealand as it is in the United States, but for those who are likely to be perplexed by it I have come across a guide.that may be accepted as practical v and expedient. ■• . -; . Deluged last year with woollen, sweaters and packages of what they term "gooey" food, headquarters of the 37th (Ohio) Division has come forward with a list of "Do's" and "Don'ts" for the mailing of Christmas packages to members of their unit.

Because the men are living in foxholes in jungle conditions, the prime need is that articles to be sent should be useful under such conditions sor, if food, should be capable of being eaten on arrival.

The "Do Send" list therefore includes flashlights (very sturdy without gadgets); pocket knives of the Boy Scout type; hunting knives; underwear and socks; inexpensive wrist watches; shaving equipment ; (only . double-edge blades unless specified); hair tonic; candy (tinned only); pictures (snapshot size); writing material (stationery and ink); fountain pens and pencils; pipes; rubber bath shoes; bathing trunks; washable playing cards; miniature games (chess and checkers); cigarette lighters, flints, and fluids; waterproof cigarette containers; small waterproof housewives (sewing kits, needles, thread, buttons); compact flexible snapshot holders, pocket size with pictures; closed soap containers; and waterproof matchboxes. The "Don't Send" list includes woollen sweaters and warm clothing of any kind; perishable food;, leather goods of any kind (on account of mould); money; anything bulky or fragile; cigarettes (they are issued free); exterior clothing or neckties; large frame pictures; fancy games (miniature sizes are okay). If possible gifts of metal should be of stainless steel or some other rustresisting metal. The jungle climate rusts metal and moulds leather —even rots the stitches in leather articles so that, they fall apart.