COMFORTS FOR THE NAVY

Evening Star, Issue 24292, 5 September 1942, Page 4

COMFORTS FOR THE NAVY

COMPLAINT BY DUNEDIN LAD Though the local patriotic organisations are admittedly doing great work in regard to supplying comforts to our overseas troops, there would appear to be a missing link in respect to naval ratings. A Dunedin lad who went away as a seaman and has since gained a commission has recently been home on a visit, and he states that lie has never yet mot a fellow rating who has received a parcel from Otago. There were occasions—up in the Arctic regions, for instance, where spray actually froze before reaching the decks—when extra woollens would have been very welcome. One parcel of tinned goods did come along to him, but it was from a Canterbury patriotic society. This young Dunediuite also told of another seaman who arrived in Auckland, after two years’ absence on duty, without any money. Ho applied to various patriotic organisations in that city, but was told, that there were no funds available, even for the purpose of the lad sending a wire to his people in the south. He was, however, supplied with a train ticket. A friendly civilian advanced him the money for his boat fare and for the telegram. There are, of course, many difficulties in reaching naval ratings with parcels, but, said the Dunedin lad, men-o’-warsmen feel that they are entitled to a little more consideration than they have been receiving up to date He advises relatives of ratings to address parcels direct to the man concerned.