PRISONERS OF WAR

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVI, Issue 22992, 8 September 1944, Page 4

PRISONERS OF WAR

Advice To Relatives And Friends (N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON. Sept. 7. His attention had been drawn to an article which appeared in the newspapers recently advising relatives and friends of New Zealand prisoners of war to dispatch civilian clothes to Britain for use by men on their release from Germany, said the Minister of Defence (the Hon. F; Jones) to-day. Mr Jones said the article in question, which on casual reading gave the appearance of an official announcement. was misleading in its implications. “It should not be necessary for me to point out that men who are made prisoners of war remain members of the Armed Forces and their position in this respet will not be changed by their release from confinement in Germany,” said the Minister, “an event which we are encouraged to believe will take place in the not distant future.” In Britain the men would be subject to ordinary military discipline, although they would receive special consideration appropriate to their circumstances. They would continue to wear military uniform, and new issues to replace worn or useless articles would be made as required from stocks in the reception camps. Regarding special items, such as handkerchiefs and pyjamas, the Patriotic Board was ensuring that ample supplies would be available for the men, and in bvery other respect they would be well catered for. To send bulky parcels of apparel from this country would unduly strain the postal facilities without comparable benefit to the men.