JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS

Southland Times, Issue 25691, 28 June 1943, Page 3

JAPANESE PRISON CAMPS

Conditions Reported To Be Improved WELLINGTON, June 27. Cabled advice has been received by the Prisoners of War Inquiry Office about visits to camps in the Far East. In Hong Kong camps officers are receiving pay enabling them to supplement standard rations by purchases from a canteen. Conditions are improved because of increased rations and weekly parcels. Camps visited at Osaka showed that the allowance is 30 sen a head a month, which is more than is received by Japanese soldiers. Red Cross parcels are received in all camps. Labour is compulsory for noncommissioned officers and privates for eight hours a day with Sundays free. The pay is 10 to 35 sen and five to six cigarettes are allowed a day. The money earned is credited to a . savings account and can be drawn with the consent of the authorities at the camp. It is stated that treatment, discipline and morale are good.

Reports from Philippine camps up to March state that the prisoners’ health and conditions are improving. Mosquito nets are provided for all prisoners at Camp Taiwan. Glasses have been purchased for 20 prisoners. More recreation has been granted to aged prisoners. Books, Bibles and playing cards have been sent to Camp Osaka. Gramophones, records, ping-pong sets and footballs were purchased from the Pope’s relief fund. Also nearly 40,000 pairs of shoes were supplied by the Army. A report on the Mukden camp states the health of the prisoners generally has improved. Canteens have been established in Java camps and pigs are being raised. Reports dated the end of March state that civil internees in Japan proper are permitted to dispatch two letters written in Japanese a week or one letter in English a month containing not more than 100 words. The International Red Cross delegates reported in March that 400 books, musical instruments, sports articles and games were purchased for camps in Japan by a committee consisting of the Minister and members of the Swedish Legation and the International Red Cross delegate. The delegate also advised that he is proceeding with negotiations to establish educational facilities and books for Japanese camps.