Difficulties In Rebroadcasting Prisoners’ Names

Northern Advocate, 5 September 1941, Page 6

Difficulties In Rebroadcasting Prisoners’ Names

[Special to "Northern Advocate”! WELLINGTON, This Day. A request that facilities might be granted for the rebroadcasting of short wave trasmissions from German and Italian radio stations during periods in which the names of New Zealand prisoners were announced was made by Mr. F. L. Frost (Govt.-New Plymouth) in an urgent question to the Mi'nistei lor Defence (Mr. Jones) on behalf of the speaker (Mr. Barnard) when the House met this morning. Mr. Jones said the matter had been considered but there were diiticullios in the way. For instance the quality of reception sometimes was so poor that the proper names of soldiers would be doubtful of accuracy, with the result that distress might be caused, not only to the next-of-kin but to oilier people who might think they were related. Returning Soldiers’ Names In notice of a question to the Minister tor Defence. Mr. E. B. K. Gordon (Cppo.-Rangitikei) asked that names of soldiers who returned to New Zealand from time to time should* be made available to the newspapers. He added that this was of great interest to the relatives and friends of men, and also to employers and others who might be able to help returning men. In another notice of question, Mr. | Gordon asked Mr. Jones to make the best possible arrangements he could ! regarding the maximum weight of pari cels for New Zeealand prisoners of j war and arrange for an authoritative j statement giving all essential informa--1 tion on the subject, including what 1 articles might or might not be sent in such parcels, to be sent to next-of-kin of such men. Retention Of Services A suggestion that Post Office officials who had 40 years’ service should be given an opportunity of continuing in ! the service until the end of the war unI less in the meantime they reached the j age of 65 was contained in a notice of | a question by Mr. C. G. Marker (Oppo.- ! Waipawa) to the Postmaster-General. J He added that services were being ! curtailed due to the absence of so many j postal officials on active service, and j the position might become much worse I unless the option to continue service with the department was given in all, instead of only a limited number of cases.