FOOD SHORTAGE

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24576, 6 May 1943, Page 5

FOOD SHORTAGE

CONDITIONS IN ITALY REPATRIATED PRISONERS (N.Z.E.F. Official News Service) CAIRO, May 4 Praise for the work of the Ped Cross has been the keynote of all the conversations with the prisoners who were recently repatriated from Italy. It is the unanimous opinion of these men that, without the Red Cross parcels, the food position in the prison camps would have been worse than it was. The contents of the parcels, incidentally, provided a minor worry for the prison authorities, who were anxious to conceal these indications that the enemy food was so sufficient that the morale of their own men would not be allowed to suffer. No Tea or Soap Italian hospitals were considerably better than camps in many respects, but here again the shortage of food and comforts was apparent, such necessities as soap and tea being virtually unprocurable. The treatment of patients was satisfactory and, at least, the sanitary conditions in hospitals were a vast improvement on those existing in the camps. Italian newspapers seen in the camps hardly mentioned the fall of Tripoli, a brief paragraph in an obscure corner announcing that under pressure by British forces the city had been evacuated. One former prisoner summed up the position. "It seems silly that we should attempt to air our knowledge of conditions in Italy outside the prison camps," he said. "We were not there as tourists, so saw only what they allowed us to see. We seldom spoke to outsiders, except to an odd Englishspeaking guard and a camp staff member, who were not particularly communicative. It is hard to believe that we are on the outside looking in after so long on the inside looking out." Prisoners On Torpedoed Ship The prisoners had been transported to Italy by various means, a few travelling by air, but the majority by sea. One corporal, who was captured at Sidi Rezegh in 1941, was aboard a prison ship which was torpedoed by a submarine off the coast of Greece with heavy loss of life. The corporal was picked up with other survivors by an escort ship and landed in Greece, where they were taken to a temporary prison camp. Conditions there were bad. Happiness and relief are the predominating conditions among the returned men. "It all seems so unreal," remarked a New Zealander who had been in Italy for almost a year and a-half. "To realise that I am not only a free man again, but also have prospects of seeing my people in a short time, to put it plainly, is an indescrib-

able relief."

HOME SERVICES NEW ASSOCIATION An Auckland branch of the New Zealand Home Services Association, which was formed a week ago, was opened at an enthusiastic meeting in the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force clubrooms last night. The new association is affiliated with the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force Association, and its aims, as explained by the Dominion president, Mr. A. J. Ingle, of Auckland, are the promotion of tllG welfare of members and their dependants. It will also co-operate fully with the older association in the promotion of the welfare of returned men, overseas servicemen and scrvicewomen and their dependants.

The following officers were elected:— Chairman. Mr. H. T. Head; vice-chairman, -Mr. V. E. Timmo; treasurer, Mr. H. J. Cullen; committee, Messrs. A. B. Walker, D. H. Skelton, N. H. Baynor; W. H. Tajjgert, R. A. Boyle, C. P. Surman, C. R. Ryan, W. F. Lauder, D. S. Scruton, T. McKnight. A. J. Payne and W. J. Finch. THE LEAGUE CODE

An appeal from several clubs for the raisins of the restrictions on flood lighting of Carlaw Park for training purposes was received at last evening's meeting of the Auckland Rugby League and it was referred to the electric lighting controller. The chairman, Mr. J. W Watson said the ground still came within the restricted area. It was decided to donate three guineas to the proposed Lance B. Todd memorial, which is being sponsored by the English Rugby League Captain Todd, M.M., was a wellknown New Zealander who was killed recently in England. The question of the use of Sarawia Park for matches was mentioned in a letter from the iunior control board, and referred to the chairman for a further report. Fixtures for Saturday.—Otahuhu v. Newton, Carlaw Park No. 1, 3 p.m., Mr. S. Billman; Manukau v. Richmond, Carlaw Park No 1. 1.45 p.m., Mr. J. Hawkes; City v. North Shore, -Carlaw Park No. 2. 3 p.m., Mr. J. Donovan; Ponsonby v. Mount Albert, Carlaw Park No. 2, 1.45 p.m.. Mr.. G. Kelly; Marist. a bye RUGBY UNION FIXTURES Resolutions of sympathy were passed by the management committee of the Auckland Rugby Union last evening: with the relatives of Lieutenant J. B. Dow (formerly of Mount Albert Grammar School) and Lance-Corporal N. B. Negus (Parnell and Grafton), both of whom have been reported killed in action. Fixtures for Saturday:—Senior grade: Grafton-Ponsonby v. Army, Eden Park No. 1. 3 p.m., Mr. L. H. Briggs; Marist v. Training College, Eden Park No. 1. 1.30 p.m.* Mr. L. H. Briggs; Grammar v Manukau, Eden Park No. 2, 3 p.m.. Mr. S. Yeoman; M.T.P. v. Garrison. Eden Park No. 2, 1.30 p.m.. Mr. S. Yeoman; Suburbs v. Air Force No. 1, Eden Park No. 3, 3 p.m., Mr. K. Preston; Eden v. Kittyhawks, Eden Park No. 3, 1.30 p.m., Mr. K. Preston; Otahuhu v. University. Kfurgess Park 3 p.m.. Mr. V. Mace; Army No. 2 v. Air Force No. 2, Cribble-Hirst Park, 3 p.m., Mr. C. Williams; Technical Old Boys v. Navy, Norlh Shore No. 1. 3 p.m.. Mr. S. J. Exler; District School v. Takapnna. Takapuna No. 1, 3 p.m., Mr. E. E. Dudson LADIES' HOCKEY GAMES All senior and intermediate games will he played at Melville Park on Saturday. Following is the draw: — Senior Grade. —Mount Eden v. Training College, No. 4 3.10 p.m., Dawson and Raphael; University v. College Old Girls, No. 1. 1.10 p.m., Ilamlin and Jensen; North Shore v. Technical. No 1, 3.10 p.m., Jensen and flogben. Intermediate Grade. —Papakura W.A.A.C. v Eiierslie W.A.A.C., No. 3, 3.10 p.m.. Hamlin and Bell; Technical v. College, No. 4, 1.45 p.m., Corringham and Raphael; Takaptina Grammar v. University. No. 2, 1.45 p.m., Askew and McKenzie; Wesley v. Berlei, No. 3, 1.45 p.m., Dawson and Cameron; W A.A.A v. Air Force No. 1, No. 2, 3.10 p.m., C'oldham and Stevens; Air Force No. 2. a bye. Junior Grade (note time of starting).— Wesley wins by default from Training College; Mount. Eden v Blue Rovers, No. 5 (Windmill Road), 2.25 p.m., Twiname and Gut.ry; Technical v. Pukekohe, No. 5 (Windmill Road), 335 p.m., King and McKain.

GOLF COMPETITIONS North Shore Ladies.—LOU. Medal Match—Seniors; Mrs W. Houghton ffJ I I—7 s Miss A O'Neill. 00, 17—70; Mrs R. Price, 100, 17 —B.'-!. Juniors: Mrs. W Mvers, to:?. 31—72; ,\lrs M Crisp, 103, 20 —77; Mrs. G. Ifutherford, to:?, 23 —80; Mrs. I. Iv .Toy, 101. 21-—SO. Harvey Adams Plate <3O holes'): Mrs. Myers, Mrs. FToushton. I'> 7. Mrs. Myers won on a recount. WaitemaJa Ladies.—LG.U. Medal Round —Silver division: Mrs. N Hedley, 05, IS—77. \f rs Tilston, 05, 17—78. Bronze division: Mrs. M. Woods, 91, 20—65; Miss P. Browne. 102. 34 —OS. C irrade medal: Mrs. Jacobs. RESULTS IN COUNTRY Hamilton.—Following were the best cards handed in for the qualifying round of the Bell Cup competition and consolation handicap at St. Andrews links: M. A. Kellv, 71, 3—68; J. A. Denz, 80. 17—09; W. A. Smith 87, 17—70; O. Kendall, 02. 22—70; R. Darby, 01. 20—71; L. Jenkins, 05, 24—71; F. Taylor, 00, 21—72; W. B. Pomerov. 87. 15—72; L. J. Mark. 00. 18—72. Waihi.—While playing in the club cup medal competition, A. F. Lowrie holed In one at the ninth, a distance of 120 yds.