MEN RETURNING ON HOSPITAL SHIPS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 187, 11 August 1941, Page 6

MEN RETURNING ON HOSPITAL SHIPS

FACILITIES TO ADVISE RELATIVES

TWO FREE TELEGRAMS AND HALF RATES ON TELEPHONE

(Press Assn.) Wellington, Aug. 'J. On the occasion of the arrival <■£ a hospital ship in Wellington reeentiy, it was found that one ef the first things the returned men wished to do was to notify their relatives or their sale arrival. Some hundreds ol telegrams addressed to ail parts of inc Dominion w ere lodged by the men witnin a few hours of their arrival and many toil calls also were effected. In order io afford tne returned men some concession in this connection, the Postmaster-General, the Hon. P. Webb, announces that in future men returning on hospital ships will be permitted to lodge two free telegrams to any address in New Zealand. Each soldier will be presented on arrival with two franked telegram forms and special arrangements will be made al the holding hospital on Aoieu to collect messages. In addition, a number of telephone 101 l cabinets are being erected at the holding hospital to facilitate the handling of toll calls from soldiers to their relatives and friends. Soldiers effecting toll calls through these telephones will receive a concession of half rates during the full rate period.

The Minister indicated that, the aim of tne Post Office was tc facilitate in every way possible communication between returned men and their relatives in other towns, and he felt sure that the arrangements in view would be greatly appreciated by the soldiers.