YEARNING FOR NEWS.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16159, 13 March 1918, Page 2

YEARNING FOR NEWS.

SOLDIERS IN THE TRENCHES. LONDON", February 23. A representative of the Australian Comforts Fund sends a message from the trenches. ''Tell all relatives and friends," he says, "to write to the boys unceasingly. Some imagine that tliey are forgotten because thev reecivo no letters from Austrulia. -No one can conceive tho yearning for home news resulting from long absence and the tedium while awaiting tho fighting. "The reception of a mail prior to u battle is a god-send. It helps practit oally in improving tho moral, and: keeps the boys bound to the homeland by chains of letters. A few letters are miscarried, and correspondents should forgive tho boys if tbero is no reply becauEO of tlic difficulties. "Tho Comforts Fund constitutes an additional chain, of which gifts from Australia are tho strongest link. The men arc realising more and more the origin of the comforts, and tho sentimental, healthful value of thorn is recognised throughout the force. Sporting equipment also helps the lads to forget tho horrors of war, and stiffens them for future ordeals."