No Possibility of Delivering Next-of-kin Parcels

Manawatu Times, Volume 70, Issue 44, 21 February 1945, Page 4

No Possibility of Delivering Next-of-kin Parcels

TO CAMPS IN PATH OF ALLIED ADVANCE (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 20. There is practically no possibility of delivering next-of-kin parcels to a number of prisoner of war camps ia Germany, according to advice received from Mr. Jordan in London. The Postmaster-General (Hon. P. C. Webb) said to-night that Mr. Jordan advised that parcels could not be forwarded to Htalags 28, 2D. 3A, 38, 3C, 3D, BA, SB, BC, 20a, 208, 344. Luft 3, Luft 4, Luft 7, Oflag 64, Oflag, Kreutsgerg, •Lasaretts, Neukoln and Biesforf. Mr. Webb said he regretted that la the circumstances the pout office could no longer accept next-of-kin parcels for prisoners in those camps. Letters addressed to those camps could, however, still be posted and they would be sent forward in the hope that the German authorities would redirect them to tha new addresses when known. The Prisoners of War Inquiry Office states that the position ia briefly that since these camps are in the path of the advancing Allied armies it is improbable that any parcels addressed to them will ever be delivered to the prisoners for whom they are intende.L In view r of the fluid position on all fronts in Germany there is considerable doubt whether it will prove possible to deliver next-of-kin parcels to prisoners of war in other camps iu Germany. The British Prisoners of War Organisation had suggested that parcels should not be despatched, but in cases where next-of-kin particularly desired to send a x*arcel they would arrauge for this to be done. “In all the circumstances and particularly since it takes three mouths for a parcel to reach its destination from New Zealand,” the inquiry offic# adds, “it lias been decided that facilities will not be provided for a general despatch of next-of-kin parcels from New Zoalund to prisoners of war camps in Europe. However, if a next-of-kin particularly desires to despatch a parcel to a camp other than those mentioned by Mr. Jordan inquiries should be made at the inquiry office, Wellington. If permission is given for the parcel to be seut there will be no assurance that it will be delivered.”