PARCELS FOR SOLDIERS

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 September 1940, Page 4

PARCELS FOR SOLDIERS

STRONG WRAPPING ESSENTIAL WELLINGTON, September 16. The Post Office again desires to emphasise the necessity -for securely packing parcels for soldiers serving overseas. Advice recently received from the base post office, Egypt, discloses that although parcels are.. in the main received in good condition, a small number arrive damaged or with the address missing, through being wrapped in flimsy paper and tied with thin twine. When parcels are insecurely packed and wrapped, the net result is waste of time and money by the sender, and disappointment to the intended recipient. It is desirable that parcels should be enclosed in strong calico linen or canvas, securely sewn up. Soft articles and perishable goods should be enclosed in tins, with the lids soldered on. Parcels should be addressed in block letters. It is most important that the number of the echelon be included. In addition, a slip of paper, bearing the complete name and address of the soldier, and of the sender, should be enclosed. It is advisable not to include tobacco or cigarettes in post parcels for soldiers in Egypt, as the addressees are required to pay high Customs duty on such items. Finally, the Post Office suggests that Christmas parcels for the forces in Egypt and England should be posted not later than during the last week in October to ensure delivery at the appropriate time.