PRISONERS IN TURKEY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16499, 27 March 1917, Page 4

PRISONERS IN TURKEY.

NO PARCELS TO BE SENT.

OFFICIAL INTIMATION.

[BT TELEGRAPH.— ASSOCIATION.]

WELLINGTON, Monday. Advice has been received by Sir James Allen from the 'Jigh Commissioner as follows:—"The General Poet Office intimates that the despatch of parcels for prisoners of war in Turkey is suspended until further notice." .

The position in regard to the provision of relief to New Zealand prisoners of war was the subject of a statement made by the High Commissioner to the Herald's London correspondent on January 26. Sir V^ 3 * Mackenzie said:— fund of £500 sent to v the l American Ambassador at' Constantinople was -at first relied 'on as the means of making provision for the needs of our men as there was grave doubt as to whether parcels of food.and other comforts would reach their destination. It was eventually decided to despatch parcels regularly to each man, and the Department has continued to do so ever since. We are sending ■ parcels' • regularlv to all the camps, but, .while trusting that some, at least, are delivered, we think the- best plan of giving the men relief is to keep the American Ambassador in Constantinople supplied with funds with which to purchase comforts in Turkey, and send them to the men through his own Consular agents. The cost of tea in Turkey is reported to be more than 20s per pound, while butter is 7s, sugar 10s, soap 7s, and jams, sauces, and nickles are- described by one of our men as 'unheard of.' .. It is*questionable, therefore, whether purchases made in Turkey would prove very.satisfactory. It is proposed for the present { to let tie arrangement stand ; under /which the American Ambassador has been requested to pay each man 20 piastres per' week and supply warm; clothing. The weekly parcels and supply of clothing to prisoners of war in Turkey are similar to those sent to: Germany. Owing to the time occupied in transit bread cannot, of course, be sent to Turkey." ?■ \ ; .;