PARCELS TO WAR PRISONERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 78, Issue 24135, 29 November 1941, Page 8

PARCELS TO WAR PRISONERS

Sir, —Many of your readers, I feel sure, who have their dear ones prisoners of war in Germany are at a loss to understand the drastic restrictions as to the contents allowed to be sent in parcels as laid down under Government regulations. After eight months we have just received one card and a folder letter from one of our sons, who is in Stalag XVIII.A. The contents are very interesting. There is plenty of pick and shovel work; hence he asks for food such as Oxo cubes and vitamen tablets. Even if these were procurable in New Zealand, they are definitely prohibited from being enclosed in parcels. Yet the regulations at Stalag XVIII.A not only permit these articles to be sent to prisoners there, but also allow tobacco, which is prohibited by our regulations. Again, we are only allowed to send one parcel every three months, not exceeding 101b., and then only from next of kin. Yet this same camp will allow two parcels per month to be received. If we must abide by the drastic New Zealand regulations, our advice to your readers is to overcome them as we have for several months by sending food parcels to relatives in England (again not exceeding 51b. in weight, or 21b. of any one kind, for which the postage is 3s 4d), have them repacked and forwarded to Stalag. By cable last week we are advised this arrangement is proving quite satisfactory. Sending money to England for this purpose is unsatisfactory, as one must remember that not only food but also clothing is only issued by coupons. We are told by the New Zealand lied Cross that they also are sending parcels. One wonders what are the contents, more especially as there appears to be not only a shortage of food, but such things as tooth paste, nail brushes, soap, etc. Now, if the Germans will allow us to assist in feeding our sons, for which one and all of us we feel sure would if necessary go without, why should not the regulations laid down be lifted, including having to procure a Red Cross tie on label before even any parcel can be sent? Mr. and Mrs. Claude H. Puttiok.