LETTERS FROM TROOPS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24633, 14 June 1941, Page 8

LETTERS FROM TROOPS

MEN IN MIDDLE EAST CHEAP AIR MAIL SERVICE (P.A.) WELLINGTON, June 13. An announcement that arrangements were in train for the introduction at a reduced postage rate of 3d air mail letter card system for use Zealand soldiers in the Middle East in corresponding with New Zealand made to-day by, the Acting Prime Minister Mr W. Nash. He said that in taking steps to inaugurate the service the Government recognised that the present minimum charge of 9d for an air mail letter was high for our men overseas who desired to correspond frequently and quickly 1 with their next-of-kin in New Zealand, and it was with this difficulty in view that the decision was made to introduce the 3d letter card service. “The letter card will be of lightweight paper, as otherwise difficulty would be experienced in carrying from the Middle East to New Zealand the volume of air mail Mr Nash said. “ Because there is a limit to the volume of air mail that can be flown from the Middle East to Australia and New Zealand, it may be necessary later to place some restriction on the number of 3d letter cards that can be posted each- week by soldiers, but every effort will be made to avoid any restriction. 1 “ The letter cards will be supplied to the troops free as soon as supplies are available,” Mr Nash said. “ The postage will require to be prepaid in New Zealand stamps, of which-supplies were made available spme time ago to, the New Zealand Army Bast Post Office in the Middle East.”