Next-Of-Kin Should Treat Unofficial Reports Reservedly

Northern Advocate, 14 July 1941, Page 6

Next-Of-Kin Should Treat Unofficial Reports Reservedly

[Per Pres? Association.—Coiwright ] WELLINGTON, This Day. Advice received by the Minister for Defence (Mr. Jones) indicates the advisability of treating with reserve information as to their safety sent privately by members of the N.Z.E.F. to relatives in New Zealand. In some instances, after fighting in Greece, there was a conflict between information sent officially to next-of-kin and that contained in private cablegrams. Inquiries were made and a cablegram in reply has now been received from Army headquarters, Cairo, as follows: Sent From Greece “Private cables reporting' safety were originated in Greece, but due' to a breakdown in communications, were not despatched until after the operations in Greece. “These were then despatched without reference to this office, which could have supplied information regarding subsequent casualties to the personnel concerned.” Commenting on this report, Mr. Jones said today that considering the conditions which prevailed in Greece and I Crete and the fact that both places had to be evacuated, some idea of the difficulty of quickly compiling accurate ’ records could be fully appreciated. He . could assure next-of-kin, however, j that every possible step was being taken to secure reliable information at. the earliest possible moment. j Until official advice came to hand from overseas, Mr. Jones added, next-of-kin would be wise in treating unofficial reports with reserve.