KIWI NEWSPAPER

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 66, Issue 5599, 31 March 1943, Page 4

KIWI NEWSPAPER

FIRST ISSUE IN PACIFIC The first issue of the Kiwi, the name given to the New Zealand troops’ own newspaper in the Pacific area, was published on March 10. It comprises four pages of world, New Zealand and local news, also comment on world events and mes-

sages from the Prime Minister, and others expressing good wishes for the success of the paper and the Kiwi forces in the Pacific.

The printing plant for the paper was purchased by the National Patriotic Fund Board and shipped from New Zealand. The Army educational and welfare service is responsible for the production of the paper, which is entirely hand-set and has been established in the face of difficulty. Most of the fittings and furniture of the printing and editorial office had to be made from packing cases. Much of the machinery was damaged in transit. A good deal of the small type was lost and the rest so thoroughly “pied” that all hands from the O.C. down had to spend days of monotonous sorting. Local items in the first issue include a description of the first show given in the open air by the mobile Cinema presented by the Returned Services Association. Films for this plant are also being provided through the Patriotic Fund Board, which is also meeting all maintenance costs.