WAR CASUALTY NOTIFICATIONS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 3, 14 January 1942, Page 4

WAR CASUALTY NOTIFICATIONS

The BEACON in its small way can give the matter publicity but has not the power to bring it before the authorities in an official capacity. Possibly our Chamber of Commerce or local bodies could assist in this matter. Ed).

Sir, —While I am not a sufferer in this respect xnyself I feel 'it my duty -5 to speak for others in this district who are, by circumstances not able. to speak for themselves. There have been unfortunately in this district * a number of cases where men have been killed in action, whose parents are apparently the last to> receive official notification. Rumours commence to circulate. From where nobody knows—and the strain upon the families concerned can better be imagined than described. Finally a newspaper notice is published, but still the parents are overlooked. I know of one instance where Government notification was not given until three days after the death nction was published. Cannot thing be done to protect the feelings of these bereaved people. Surely it is possible to give parents their right to learn the fate of their loved ones before the general public. I feel most strongly on this point Sir, and maintain that with a little more thoroughness and attention, the. authorities could overcome this cruel blundering and official thoughtless- - ness. • Yours etc., HUMANITARIAN. • -S (We thank our correspondent for writing on a subject which has been exercising the minds of many for S long time. Unfortunately there ap-' pears toi be little chance of makings a correction until it is sheeted home /j to the department handling the cas» ualty lists as they come to hand., Qra