PRISONERS OF WAR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25240, 1 June 1943, Page 3

PRISONERS OF WAR

NEXT-OF-KIN ENTERTAINED ADDRESS BY MR J. ABBL The Joint Council of the Order of *St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society and the women’s section of the Returned Services’/ Association last night entertained the next-of-kin of Otago prisoners of war in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall, which was filled to capacity. It was stated to be the largest gathering of its kind held in the Dominion. An address was given by the Dominion chairman of the Prisoners of War Committee (Mn J. Abel), and also on the stage were the Mayor and Mayoress (Mr and Mrs A. H. Allen), the chairman of the Otago Committee of the Joint Council (Mr Charles V. Smith), Mrs A. S. Falconer, of the women’s section of the R.S.A., Captain A. Davies, Lieutenant D. Hammond (U.S.A.), and Mrs K. H. Smyth, representing the Invercargill branch of ■ the Joint Council. Mr Abel in his address said fhat the prisoner-of-war work had developed into one of the greatest activities of the Joint Council, and required a considerable expenditure of patriotic funds. He warmly praised the wonderful service given by the International Red Cross at Geneva, and said that there had not been a single occasion on which doubt had been expressed regarding the information received from that source. Whereas some communications from Geneva formerly i took up to six months to reach New Zealand, they were now sometimes received in as short a time as six weeks. i v Discussing conditions in various camps in ! Germany and Italy, Mr Abel gave details of clothing and food supplies. Educational facilities were being offered prisoners, he continued, and they could now sit examinations conducted by any university in the British Empire. Hundreds of, men had passed examinations in approximately 50 subjects. Already the Prisoners of War Committee had , despatched over'£looo worth of'books, including volumes on agriculture and farming in New Zealand, accountancy and law. The supply of Invalid food parcels, which were issued from Geneva, was also explained. Every prisoner received 200 cigarettes a month. Mr Abel said. About 1,250,000 cigarettes and 6000 ounces of tobacco were sent from New Zealand regularly, being paid for out of patriotic funds. Chocolate was enthusiastically received by the men. and the speaker advised next-of-kin to include a ration in their parcels whenever possible. In conclusion, Mr Abel paid a tribute to Miss M. B. Scott and her help*; ers, who check and pack the parcels in Dunedin. On behalf of the gathering, Mr J. C. Laing thanked Mr Abel for his address. ■ During the evening items were given by Misses Mearns, Shrimpton, and Mrs A. Oliver. Supper was served.