SERVICEMEN IN INDIA

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25394, 27 November 1943, Page 4

SERVICEMEN IN INDIA

SUPPLY OF PATRIOTIC GIFTS REPLY TO COMPLAINTS (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 26. Replying to complaints alleging lack of interest by the New Zealand authorities in Dominion servicemen stationed in India, the Minister of Defence, Mr F. Jones, said to-day that during January and February last an qfficer of the R.N.Z.A.F. visited India to investigate the conditions there with the object of appointing a liaison officer if the circumstances warranted it. As a result of his report a liaison officer had since been appointed and he had arrived at Delhi in September. In the meantime, the Minister continued, arrangements had been made by the first officer to despatch to personnel in India the newspaper New Zealand News, issued by the High Commissioner’s Office in London, and the N.Z.E.F. Times. At the same time the Patriotic Fund Board made arrangements for the despatch of parcels and comforts direct to India. The arrangement previously was for patriotic comforts to be sent via England to the New Zealand air personnel in India because of their being attached to the Royal Air Force and their names not always being known to the authorities in New Zealand.

In March last, with the object of establishing more direct contact with these men, the National Patriotic Fund Board appointed Mr C. R. C. Gardiner, manager of the New Zealand Insurance Company in Bombay, as its representative, Mr Jones said. In July parcels were issued through Mr Gardiner. A small number of parcels had also been sent to Flight Lieutenant Baird in Colombo for distribution. Subsequently the following parcels had been sent: 450 gift parcels, 520 special gift parcels of cigarettes and tobacco, 2500 cigarettes. In addition, £SOO in cash had been sent to Mr Gardiner to be used at his discretion for welfare purposes. Mr Ingles, the New Zealand Government representative on the Eastern Group Supply Council, had made arrangements for the removal of the Customs duty liability on parcels, and arrangements had been made for regular distribution in future.