MAIL FOR AIRMEN

Grey River Argus, 21 July 1941, Page 8

MAIL FOR AIRMEN

NEED FOR CAREFUL ADDRESSING. WELLINGTON, Ju 1 ” KThe Minister of Defence (Hon. £. Jones) in a statement to-day, emphasised the necessitv for ensuring that correct addresses are given to facilitate the delivery of cables letters and parcels to New Zealand airmen servinc overseas. Complaints have been received that parcels, letters and cables addressed to New Zealand airmen serving overseas particularly in Canada, are being unaulv delayed in. transit or not reaching their destination. In many cases the investigations reveal that, the trouble is due to insufficient oi incorrect addresses. The correct method of address foi New Zealand airmen overseas is as follows: Number, N.Z. Rank, Serffi.; Name, Brown; Initials, J. J-, Trade. Obs<—«-• Care of (A) Ivoymi Canadian Air Force Headquaiters, Jackson’s Building, Ottawa, Canada; or (B) New Zealand Hjgh Commissioner, 415 Strand. London, W.C. 2; or (C) R.A.F., Middle East, Cairo. It will be noted that the number, rank, name, initials and trade are given in that order, followed by the distributing office in the country which the airman is located. Tho numbers of all New Zealand airmen are prefixed by letters “N.Z.” It is important that this prefix should identify the individual as airman, as New Zealand Army numbers do not have a similar prefix. “Communications are sometimes addressed to me or the Base Records referring to an individual simnly by number,” said Mr Jones. “If the enquiry concerns an airmen, the prefix should be added. Sometimes it happens that an airman’s number (without the letters ‘N.Z.’) will correspond with the number allocated to a soldier. This leads to some delays, while records are searched and checked. If an airmen’s current number (including the letters ‘N.Z.’) are given on all communications, it will greatly assist in ensuring that possible confusion or delays will be avoided.”