CORRESPONDENCE FOR SOLDIERS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 209, 15 September 1916, Page 4

CORRESPONDENCE FOR SOLDIERS.

Many enquiries are being made, and much misconception seems to exist, regarding the present arrangements for forwarding mails to soldiers. The following is a statement of the position so far as it can be made known publicly. Letteis and packets for the forces on active service in Fiance are forwarded alternately " via San Francisco " and "via Vancouver," and parcels and newspapers for the same foices by direct tteameis to London. AH classes of mail matter for the units on service in J'gypt are forwarded weekly by the steamer leaviog Wellingt >n for Sydtey. The units on service in France and Egypt respectively are known to the Poet Office in Wellington, but this information cannot be made public The Post Office advertises the time for closing the mails it is intended to despatch via San Francisco and via Vancouver and by direct steamer, but without mentioning the route There is a difficulty about adveri'sing the despatch of mails to Egypt, because many of the public are not awaro whether their friends are in France or in Egypt, and while despatch from Wellington is weekly the onward despatch from Australia is fortnightly. It is not always possible to say whether the steamer leaving Wellington will connect with the outgoing steamer from Australia. The practice of sending on mails from Wellington weekly ensures their going forward with the least possible delay. The object of the Post Office in advertising has been to give the public, without unloading them, reasonable information as to despatches; The closing of the mails for the forces in Franco is always notified well ahead, and mails for the forces in Egypt are despatched so frequently that there should be no inconvenience.

The public are strongly advised to continue addressing mail matter to the care of the General Post Oltice, Wellington. When i this is done it ensures the matter going forward in closed mails addressed to the Officer commanding the Expeditionary Forces in France and Egypt respectively, Many persons have taken to leaving "c/o G.P.0,, Wellington" out of the address, and have substituted England or France. When this occurs the post oliice has no option but to forward the articles in the ordinary mails to the countries to which they are addressed.