PARCELS TO SOLDIERS

Evening Star, Issue 24331, 21 October 1942, Page 4

PARCELS TO SOLDIERS

DIVIDED IN UNIT WHEN ADDRESSEE MISSING (I’.A.) WELLINGTON, October 20. The disposal of -parcels which arrive in the Middle East addressed to members of the N'.Z.E.F. who are deceased, missing, or prisoners was explained m a statement today by the Minister of Defence (Mr Jones). The Minister said these parcels were always disposed of by issue to the unit id which the addressee belonged, the contents being distributed amongst the men of the unit. This system had been adopted since the first casualties in Greece, and is to be followed in the case of tobacco parcels addressed to casualties in the abovo-men-lioned categories. Every endeavour was made to distribute parcels to wounded men, and few went astray, bn I when a soldier had been returned to New Zealand any parcel for him was also sent to Ins late unit.

“ The suggestion that such parcels should be sent to the Red Cross for distribution to prisoners of war is impracticable,” the Minister said, “ because the number of parcels for prisoners each month is limited, and there would thus bo an accumulation and wastage of parcels. It is considered that the senders would far rather the contents should be distributed amongst the addressees’ mates than that they should bo sent back. Any article of a sentimental value or for which there appears to be any particular reason for return is invariably posted back .to the sender.”