NEW ZEALANDERS WHO ARE PRISONERS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 85, Issue 283, 1 December 1941, Page 6

NEW ZEALANDERS WHO ARE PRISONERS

TRANSFER FROM CAMPS NO NEED IOK NEXT-OF-KIN TO WORRY. ‘ Press As»n .) Wellington, Nov. 29. The transfer of New Zealand prisoners ol war from various canqis is only to ix* expected and the Prisoners ot War Inquiry Office, Wellington, advises in rts weekly bulletin to-day that next of kin need have no worry in that regard. The International Red Cross has <-aided that prisoners who were in camps Oflag V E.. Oflag VIII C, Oflag VIII L). and Oflag IX A are in Oflag VI B and that prisoners who were in Staiag XXXI B have been sent to Stalag XXI. Foilowing information that officers in Oflag XC in letters to next-of-kin dated in August, had stated that they had not received any Red Cross parcels. headquarters communicated with Geneva and received a reply that the International Red Cross was not advised of the existence of Oflag XC unt.l the beginning of September. Geneva immediately arranged for parcel* to be sent and the first consignment went forward on September 17. Between then and October 24.4243 parcels were despatched. About O< toiler all those prisoners were transferred to Oflag VI B and supplies were continued to that camp, it is possible under certain conditions to arrange for a certain quantity of special foods to be vent to prisoners who are ill and require special diets. Next-of-kin are asked to inform the Prisoners of War Office if they receive any information from prisoners stating that they reouire any special diets of special invalid comforts. If relatives know of a prisoner being continuously ill. he could be asked to make inquiries as to whether any special foods have been received in his camp. It 1s inadvisable to include chocolate in parcels to prisoners. The main reasons arc that half a pound of specially concentrated vitamin chocolate is included in every weck’v food nared that leaves both Canada and New Zealand and that if chocolate is not in an airtight tin and is naked in a parcel of clothing, it is likely to melt and damage badlyneeded garments ]f is felt. too. that the extra half pound weight can be bettor used giving the prisoner some clothing or personal items he received onlv at the very outside once in three months. If relatives still feel that the prisoner would bo hanpier to receive more chocolate, the need for carefut narking cannot be stressed too strongly. Packing of food parcels for prisoners started in Wellington this week and voluntary women helpers have quite easily been handling the required number. 3000 a week. The total prisoners officially advised and on records of the offi-'e is 3506. Tn addition 85 are known, but not officially advised. ______