GIFT CIGARETTES

Grey River Argus, 17 September 1941, Page 3

GIFT CIGARETTES

SOLD IN CANTEENS. TO N.Z. FORCES OVERSEA. P.A. CHRISTCHURCH, Sent. 16. “The reports of the sale ,of gilt cigarettes are exaggerated, but that some sales do take place is undoubtedly t’-ue,” writes Lieutenant-Colon-el F Waite, Overseas Commissioner to the National Patriotic Fund Board in a report to the Board on the complaints of the sale in the canteens of the gift cigarettes sent from New Zealand by the patriotic organisations as gifts to the troops overseas. The Board recently decided that a’H of the gift cigarettes in future should have words - , “Patriotic Issue,” overprinted on the packets. “After every issue of gift cigarettes, a crop oi complaints arises,” states the report. “I have asked all officers and welfare workers to try to get definite evidence of the sales of these gift cigarettes. I have followed up some cases very closely, but, easy as it is to get a copy of the printed slip (inserted in tins by Patriotib Councils), it is very difficult to sheet home definite evidence of a “gift cigarette' sale I am satisfied tnat the sales of the gift cigarettes do take placeI am equally satisfied that the sales take place without the sanction of anyone in authority.’’