CAMPS IN EAST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 28 June 1943, Page 3

CAMPS IN EAST

CONDITIONS OF PRISONERS OF WAR FAVOURABLE REPORTS Wellington, June 26. j Cabled advice has been received by I the Prisoners of War Inquiry Office regarding visits to camps in the East. In ! Hong Kong camps officers are receivI ing pay enabling them to supplement standard rations by purchases from the canteen. The conditions are improved owing to increased rations and weekly parcels. Camps visited at Osaka showed that allowances per head per month I are 30 sen, which is more than is re- | eeived by Japanese soldiers. Red I Cross parcels are received in all camps. Labour is compulsory for n.c.o.’s and I privttes, eigt hours per day with Sunj days free pay being 10 to 35 sen a day. | Five to six cigarettes are allowed per day. The money earned is credited to savings accounts and can be drawn with the consent of the authorities at Camorube. It is stated that treatment, discipline and morale are good, j Reports from Phillipine camps up to j March state that prisoners' health and j conditions are improving. Mosquito I nets are provided lor all prisoners at Camp Taiwan. Glasses have been purchased for 20 prisoners. More recreation has been granted to aged prisoners. Books, Bibles and playing cards have been sent. At Camp Osaka gramophones, records, ping pong sets and footballs w'ere purchased from the Pope's relief fund, also nearly 4000 pairs of shoes were supplied by the Army. A report on Mukden Camp states that the health of prisoners generally has improved. Canteens have been established in Java camps and pigs are being raised. • Reports dated the end of March state that civil internees in Japan proper are permitted to despatch two letters written in Japanese per week and one letter in English per month, containing not more than 100 words. The International Red Cross delegate reported in March that 4000 books, musical instruments, sports articles and games were purchased for camps in Japan by a committee consisting of ministers and members of the Swedish Legation and the International Red Cross delegate. The delegate also advised that he was proceeding with negotiations to establish educational facilities and books for Japanese camps.—P.A.