WAR PRISONERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25046, 9 November 1944, Page 6

WAR PRISONERS

NEW ZEALAND 'iff?

WELFARE WORK IN BftlTAl-M <° c.) Wellington Wedne Bds y In addition to the welfare trk carried out on behalf of New Zeal j service personnel iii Great Britain h the High Commissioner, Mr \\ / Jordan, and the New Zealand War V' vices' Association, the National Fund Board now has a commissioner '° the United Kingdom, Major S C pL!? Besides attending to the requirem!?,: l of New Zealanders in the S6 mV tS Major Head has the responsibility f S> gather with the. Y.M.C.A. perfonHel associated with hnn, ot arranging t], comforts and extra amenities for L? riated New Zealand prisoners of V, while they are awaiting i n Britain transport to New Zealand. Major Head has reported on the nrn vision made for parties of sick, wounded and protected personnel who arrived 1+ Liverpool, via Sweden, "The New Zeal ' land draft," he says, "comprised eicrht officers and 118 other ranks (ArmvV arid five officers and three other ranks (Air Force). One of our medical officer! went to Sweden to meet them, I sun plied him with gift cigarettes and Ner Zealand papers. Comforts,' From Dominion "The British Bed Cross sent a large quantity of comforts, but I considered the men would like some items from New Zealand. Mr Cassels (Y.M.C.A) and I accompanied the official party to Liverpool. We met the men on bbard as soon as the ships were berthed and distributed more cigarettes, chocolate and biscuits. This service was greatly appreciated. Eight of these' men who are in various hospitals are beinu visited regularly." 6 A considerable quantity of extra foodstuffs has been sent by the board from New Zealand for repatriated men and other goods, including sports equipment, have been purchased bv Major Head in Britain, Recreation facilities are considered essential, because when large numbers of New Zealanders begin to arrive from the prison camps it is not known how long they may be required to remain in England before transport to the Dominion can be arranged. Major Read said they must be prepared for the possibility of 7000 men being there for a considerable period, A Red Gross Supplies Pyjamas Major Read also reports that He. has obtained pyjamas for all repatriated personnel, and he refers to the generous assistance he received in this respect from the Canadian Red Cross and the Australian Red Cross. "Neither of these generous organisations would accept payment," he said.. "Further, both of them offered to supply any other items which we found difficult to procure. I estimate that I shall require 1000 additional suits, and these can be purchased through the British Red Cross. Judging from the remarks of the men who have returned recently, no gift will be more appreciated. In this country 'other ranks' do not receive clothing coupons and can buy no items to supplement the Army issue. "I have obtained particulars of the amenities which will be supplied to repatriates by the Canadian, Australian and' South African authorities," Major Read adds. "I consider that the provision which the board has made compares very favourably with that of other organisations." As alreadv announced, the New Zealand repatriated prisoners are to be accommodated at special reception camps. To cater for New Zealanders on leave in London, another club is being established, the Thackeray Hotel, opposite the British Museum, having been taken over for this There trill . also be the New Zealand Forces Club in Charing Cross Road.