MAILS & CABLES

Grey River Argus, 23 February 1942, Page 7

MAILS & CABLES

FROM N.Z. AIRMEN. P.A. WELLINGTON, Feb. 21. Several questions in connection with the delivery of mails and cables from New Zealand air personnel serving overseas were answered by the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F. Jones), who emphasised the fact that irregulatities in such communications or even a temporary cessation in the arrival of letters and cables should not cause undue anxiety to next-of-kin in New Zealand. Mr Jones recalled that following the outbreak of war in the Pacific Lite trans-Pacific air service was suspended and this necessarily resulted n. reliance having to be placed main- < on surface despatches for mails .o and from the United Kingdom and Canada, with consequent , delays in tvaismission of tip to two months or more. it has not been possible, of course, for cable messages to be handled on the bash of the peace-time service, but every effort was.made to ensure 1.1 quickest possible despatch and del'very of- communications. In someinstances, however, delays had occurred by sheer unavoidable circum-“Next-of-kin of air personnel may be assured, however, that lack of news is not an ominous indication that the welfare of the lads serving overseas is not all it should be,” the Minister said. “In the event of casualties, the reports ar e given immediate priority and next-of-kin are informed without delay. “Next-of-kin may be assured also that everything possible is ’being done to facilitate the despatch and delivery of communications.”