CENSORSHIP OF MAIL

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23970, 10 June 1943, Page 4

CENSORSHIP OF MAIL

AMERICAN FORCES IN DOMINION NEW ZEALAND FRIENDS’ POSITION The application of the United States censorship regulations to mail going from New Zealand to members of the American armed forces and their friends is explained by the Chief United States Naval Censor (Lieuten-ant-Commander Brooks Gifford) in a statement to ‘‘The Press" which answers an inquiry by a correspondent whose letter to the parents of a marine had been returned with a censor’s slip stating that such correspondence was not permitted. Lieutenant-Commander Gifford quotes in his statement a letter to the Controller of Censorship in New Zealand (Mr G. McNamara) detailing the scope of the United States regulations. The correspondent had written to the parents of a marine advising them that her family had entertained him during the week-end. She did not mention any military matters or the fact that the marine was a United States serviceman. Lieutenant-Commander Gifford says that the purpose of the censorship regulations is to prevent unauthorised information from reaching the enemy To this end, personal wishes must of course be subordinated, as knowledge concerning the locality and movements of personnel in many cases indicated the location and movement of units. After United States servicemen have left New Zealand, they may write to their parents in the States, as many thousands have already done, of the marvellous hospitality shown them by New Zealanders. In his letter to the Controller of Censorship Lieutenant-Commander Gifford says that it is not permitted to disclose the fact that any member of the United States armed forces is in New Zealand. United States Armv and Marine Corps units are also prohibited from disclosing their presence here, either directly or indirectly. “Residents of New Zealand should be warned not to act as intermediaries in writing- information on behalf of American servicemen here, which these men themselves would not be permitted to do.” says Lieutenant-Commander Gifford, “For example, it is not proper for a friend to write, ‘Bill was up for tea last nieht.’ as this would inform Rill’s farr’ly or friends that he was in New Zealand, and would thereby give away the location of his company and unit. "Picture postcards are permitted, as are curios, provided that the names of Now Zealand cities, or New Zealand itself, do not appear on .such matter. All New Zealand postage or postmarks on cards or curios should be deleted by the censorship authorities prior to permitting such material to leave the country, if lodged by or on behalf of any American serviceman,”