CAMPS IN EAST

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22620, 28 June 1943, Page 4

CAMPS IN EAST

i Conditions Described Allowances to Prisoners 'N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON. June 26. Cabled advice has boon received b> | the Prisoners of War Inquiry Office i about visits to camps in the East. In Flong Konv the officers are receiving pay enabling them to supplement the standard of rations by purchases from the canteen. Conditions are improved because of the increased rations and weekly parcels. Camps visited at Osaka showed that allowances per head per month are 30 yen. which is more than received by Japanese soldiers. Red Cross parcels are received in all camps. Labour is compulsory for non-commissioned officers and privates, being eight hours per day with Sundays free. The pay is 10 to 35 sen a day. Five to six cigarettes are allowed a day. Money earned is credited to savings accounts and can be drawn with the consent of the authorities. At Camp ÜBE 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 prisoner*. Books, bibles and playing cards have been sent. At Camp Osaka, gramophones, records, pingoong sets and footballs were purchased from the Pope’s relief fund, also neary 4000 pairs of shoes were supplied by the Army. A report on Mukden camp states the health of prisoners generally has improved. Canteens have been established in Java camps, and pigs are being raised. Reports dated at the end of March state that civil internees in Japan proper are permitted to dispatch two letters written in Japanese per week, or one letter in English per month, containing not more than 100 words. The International Red Cross delegates reported in March that 4000 books, musical instruments, sports articles and games were purchased for camps in Japan by a committee consisting of ministers and members of the Swed’sh Legation and the International Red Cross delegate also advised that he was proceeding with negotiations to establish educational facilities and books for Japanese camps.