WAR PRISONERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20660, 10 January 1942, Page 6

WAR PRISONERS

DESPATCH OF PARCELS CAPTIVES IN GERMANY IMPROVED TREATMENT (Per Press'Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. The Prisoners-of-War Inquiry Office ’ha's received labels which Have been £ent to the tieXt-Of-kin in New Zealand from prisoners' in camps in Germany. The'labels are printed in German and French and the instructions are that they must be used for forwarding parcels to prisoners. One has a broad pinkish band and is supposed to be used when sending clothing parcels. The one with the blue band is supposed to be used only for food. The Prisoners-of-War Inquiry Office immediately cabled to the International Red Cross, Geneva, and the British Red Cross and the account of the replies received advises the next-of-kin to completely ignore these labels as their use is not intended for British or Dominion , prisoners, but only for Continental prisoners. Because of the considerable number of officers and men- being transferred from various camps,-many next-of-kin became anxious as to whether parcels were to be forwarded on. The Pri-soners-of-War Office’received a eable from the International Red Cross stating that the next-of-kin in New Zealand’ could 1 be assured the detaining powers were red'orwardihig individual parcels to the begt of their ability and also that the international' convention regarding prisoners of war was generally duly observed.

Information from a reliable source .indicates that there has been a considerable improvement in the conditions at Ofiag VI B. Two. hundred senior officers, have, been transferred to the new camp and 400 airmen are to - be transferred in the middle of January, ■ New brick barracks are under construction;

The present reserve ,of food parcels totals 18,000;- There is a large sports ground for prisoners who are stated to be looking very fit. Those who arrive from Greece and Crete a('c very much improved.The International Rea Cross also cabled this week that supplies of collective consignments of food parcels are readily maintained and also that all camps hold ample reserves of food parcels for prisoners being transferred to them. -

“ The next-of-kin'are advised that the issue of the next quarterly Red Cross ■label, - with am,instruction sheet- and full details, should be- in their hands by Monday, January 19, at the latest. During August, the. Red Cross, Geneva, received signed receipts from prisoners,,.acknowledging 264,506 parcels. - - The,, letters from prisoners reflect much healthy activity in the camps to which the supply of sports materials and books materially contribute. - - !

■- The following dre details of the prisoners officially reported and on the files of the Prisoners-of-War--'lnquiry Office: Afmy'Bs92, air force 111, merchant seamen and civilians r 2o,”navjd 7, miscellaneous 15. 'These-are New Zealanders in "the overseas " forces but Whose nefct-of-'kTn'reside in' New Zealand.' ' '" iii' aEcfdHioii there are 98 men who are known to be prisoners and have commuificated with ' next-of-k.n but have hot been officially reported. The next-of-kin of men in this category are asked to send full details to the Prisoners-of-War headquarters with the date of the letter. The information will benefit both the prisoner and the next-of-kin.