LETTERS FOR OVERSEAS SOLDIERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24221, 13 February 1940, Page 10

LETTERS FOR OVERSEAS SOLDIERS

CORRECT METHOD OF ADDRESS CHEAP-RATE CABLEGRAMS The Postmaster-general (Mr F. Jones) stated yesterday that the Post Office was anxious that letters for soldiers should reach the addressees with as little delay as possible. Not only was it important that letters for soldiers who had proceeded abroad should be fully and correctly addressed, but it was equally important that the words “ N.Z.E.F. Overseas ” should be included in the address. A complete address should include the soldier’s number, his rank and his unit, followed by “N.Z.E.F. Overseas.” This is an example of a correctly addressed letter for a soldier who has left the Dominion: — 591 Private J. Brown, B Company. 19th (Wellington) Rifle Battalion, N.Z.E.F. Overseas. Mr Jones also announces that arrangements have been made for cheap-rate cablegrams having reference to urgent private matters to be accepted for despatch to members of his Majesty’s Army or Air Force serving abroad, with the exception that, in the meantime, the service will not be available to Canada or Egypt. The rate will be 5d a word for the text and signature, with a minimum charge of 2s 6d for each message. No charge will be made for the words contained in the address, which should include full particulars of the addressee’s number, rank, unit, etc. Similar messages will be accepted from soldiers serving abroad addressed to their relatives in New Zealand. The Minister stated that negotiations for the extension of the service to include Canada and Egypt were proceeding: and it was hoped to make an announcement in this connection at an early date.