PRISONERS OF WAR.

North Otago Times, Volume CV, Issue 13935, 18 July 1917, Page 2

PRISONERS OF WAR.

WORK OP INQUIRY BUREAU. • ■. ■ LETTERS FROM SOLDIERS lit ■ ENEMY CAMPS. An important communication received by the 'Rev, 'L, Hard, honorary secretary Inquiry Bureau, from tlie High Commissioner for New Zealand, should prove of special interest, not only to iiearost-of-ldn of prisoners, but to all who,are .intererted in the welfare of these' unfortunate 'men in enemy hands.

After acknowledging the sums sent from time to time through the Bureau, the High' Commissioner says:—

• I shall be glad to expend on your behalf all amounts which are received in future for military prisoners attached to-the New Zealand Expeditionary Force, as well as for civilian New Zealanders interned in Germany and also for officers, whether attached to the New Zealand or Imperial Forces. I am afraid it will be impossible to carry cut 10 the letter the instructions which you have given in regard to the contents of the-parcels, for not 'only is there a constant increase in the price of provisions, but there is from time to time difficulty in obtaining -jiariicuIflr articles owing to the exigencies of the present situation, Also it is necessary,,for, the-,-benefit of 'our prisoners, that supplies to them should bo adjusted at this end in order that we may coordinate our efforts and those of other donors as far a3 possible, with a view of preventing duplication of contents, and of securing the best result for our men,

I think, too, that it would be wise on the part of the give me either alternative instructions, or discretionary power to deal with subscriptions in the event of it being impossible ,oi- inadvisable to expend them strictly in accordance with the wishes of the donor. For instance, a man may die, or be released from internment, the means of transport may be suspended ami parcels .therefore be not deliverable, lliere may be an embargo upon the transmission of particular articles of food or clothing, etc., etc. As can be imagined, there l are so many contingencies which may arise—ami arise very suddenly—in a state of war that it is quite impossible to provide for every eventuality. T, therefore, suggest tliar you should make your instructions as clastic as possible. I will, however, do my best to carry out as nearly as possible the instructions contained in your letters under reply, ' The full allowance of bread is already being sent !o all our prisoners, so that the money Hint yon have remitted for this purpo?e will ho expended in the purchase of other foods, 1 may say that the contents of the parcels sent from our New Zealand Prisoners oi Uar Department are carefully selected and the contents are as carefully reconsidered, I might "alihos'.' say, from day to day, At any rate, we are able, being on the spot, to nio'et difficulties directly thev arise, and we have dealt with new situations on nianv occasions with advantage to our New Zealand prisoners. 1 think also that we may congratulate ourselves upon having obtained very good results on the whole, and I am cue losing, for vour information, copies 'of si'voral acknowledgments I have received from our men, which will give you an idea of the scope of our work and the way in which our parcels are appreciated.—l am, dear sir. yours very truly,

(Signed) THOMAS MACKENZIE. Hie following copies of acknowledgments ot parcels received by prisoners of war were enclosed in the High Commissioner's letter:— Gicssen, Gorninny.-I received the suit you were kind enough to send, also the underwear and boois, and I thank yen very much for them. lam also receiving a weekly parcel from you, Kastamouni, Turkey, December 14, lniC. —Thank you so much for the invaluable parcels, one of which I have received, A iortnightly one, including golden syrup and ijiiaker oats would be snlendid, Could you send me a-list of New Zealand casualties?

Heubnrg, Baden, December 17, 191G, —I write this card asking you if vou would please semi my boots, and also books' on mathematics, also a book on dictation, and I will- be much obliged if you will send them and the boois as scon as possible, I received the toilet outfit all right and I smoke both pipe and cigarettes. Pleace send me a pipe ako.

- Jlerseberg, January 10/ 1917—1 wi'ote you a card last week rather hurriedly owing to ihc short time I hail, I am very keen 011 German and French, and I wish to take advantage of your kind offer in that direction regarding winter study. Please accept, sir, my most grateful thanks for all you are doing for me. lam inducing several of the prisoners hero to go to Maoriland when the war is over, and I am giving uoil s Own Country" a good name, which, of course, it deserves. I always lc l them know all .you arc doing for men, and I can assure you they are quite envious. Canadians and Australians are not in it with you, sir,- and New Zealand.

Minden-i-Wertf, January 8, 1917, I would lie very grateful if you will sp:kl mo extra parcels with . the £5 which was sent from New Zealand, and wonld bo pleased if you could also send a good national geogriphy book, I liavo received all the parcels you have sent up to thi end of November, and 'wish to thank yon very ..much for them. Letters of acknowledgment have been received from Private Caffcry, Lieutenant Monsley, R.F.A.; Private A. Monteith, First Canterbury Regiment; Lieutenant, S.. IT. Ellis, R.F.C,; .Rifleman L. M. Fowko. N.Z.R.8.; B. Good, Trooper'.A. Pearce, -Auckland Mounted Rifles, F. Earles, and C. S. Kennedy. First Scots Guards, "