SERVICEMEN’S WIVES

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 September 1945, Page 8

SERVICEMEN’S WIVES

PARTIES DUE FROM BRITAIN i WELLINGTON, September 13. Two parties of New Zealand servicemen’s wives, children, ; andfiancees are expected to arrive in the Dominion shortly, according to a statement by the Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones) to-day. “Both parties are from the United Kingdom,’’, he saiu. “One is travelling in the Akaroa, which is expected to reach Auckland on Sunday next, and the other is aboard the Rimutaka, due at Wellington on September 24.’’ The Minister said the Akaroa had on board 79 wives, 37 children, one fiancee, and 16 servicemen, and the Rimutaka 83 wives, eight children, three fiancees,, and 13 servicemen. Detailing arrangements under which servicemen’s families travel to and are received in New Zealand, the Minister said that the fares of wives and children are paid by the Governjnent. Fares lor fiancees are also paid by the Government, but the serviceman is required to deposit in the public account a sum of £l5O if the voyage is from the United Kingdom., or £lOO if from Egypt or South Africa. Upon eventual production of proof .of marirage this deposit is returned, but if the parties do not marry the travel expenses incurred by the Government are deducted from the sum deposited.

EARLIER INFORMATION WELLINGTON, Sept. 11. “With the lifting of all security restrictions after the cessation of hostilities, it will now be possible to give next-of-kin and the public earlier and more complete information about the arrival of drafts from overseas,” said the Minister of Defence (Mr. Jones) to-day. “Next-of-kin will continue to be advised when an overseas serviceman is placed on the roll for return to New Zealand, and as soon as he embarks a letter will be sent giving the name of the ship (if known), and the expected date and place of arrival in New Zealand. Approximately 48 hours before a draft is expected, next-of-kin will be advised by telegram of the actual date of arrival, which may vary slightly from the first date given. Except in the case of sick and wounded drafts travelling by hospital ship, next-of-kin will not in future receive the usual telegram announcing the arrival of the draft, but this, and information about the onward movement of all returning personnel, will be given by radio and through the Press. Those men who decide not to proceed to their homes in accordance with departmental arrangements will be provided with a free telegram to notify their next-of-kin when to expect them. “Next-of-kin of servicemen returning as hospital ship patients will be notified by telegram as heretofore of the arrival of the draft in New Zealand, and the future movements of personnel. This is necessary because hospital ship patients have to be detained at the port of disembarkation for medical boarding, and in some cases hospital treatment. From now on the rolls of all returning drafts will be available to the Press and local bodies well before the arrival day, and a radio announcement will be made as soon as the ship enters port, and berthing arrangements will also be given.” The. Minister repeated his earlier advice to next-of-kin to keep base records advised of their latest address and advised relatives not to travel long distances to arrival ports, as accommodation in cities like Wellington was not easy to obtain, and as return transport to their homes fo>’ relatives making such trips was difficult to provide.