CLOTHING SUPPLIES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 4, Issue 163, 3 October 1941, Page 5

CLOTHING SUPPLIES

PRISONERS OF WAR

RED CROSS CONCERN

Concern at the delay in supplying clothing to New Zealand prisoners of war in Germany, particularly with the approach of the European winter, was expressed at a meeting of the Auckland Provincial Joint Committee of the Order of St. John and the New Zealand Red Cross Society last week. Discussion Avas taken in committee, and it was decided to urge the immediate purchase of supplies in England.

The report of the chairman, Sir Ernest Davis, stated that in spite of the efforts of the executive and joint secretaries, the general jjrocedure affecting 4he association of the organisation with the prisoners of war was still somewhat obscure. A complete understanding between the Government and the joint council in Wellington was essential, and a definite arrangement between New Zealand and the authorities at Geneva also was an urgent necessity. Real progress could only be made by the appointment of a special representative at Geneva.

Arrival of Wounded "We are noit going to stand for this; it is wrong in principle," said the chairman, when the question was raised of the inadequate notice received of the arrival in Auckland by train of sick and wounded soldiers. "We 1 must insist on receiving sufficient notice," he added.

In a letter replying to an inquiry from the committee, Captain W. V. Quane, sick and wounded officer, said notice of the arrival of trains was given at the earliest possible time after the departure from Wellington had been arranged. It was decided to write to the AdjutantGeneral in Wellington asking that an official should be detailed to send out proper notice in sufficient time.