The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1918 NEW ZEALAND PRISONERS OF WAR.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 356, 1 March 1918, Page 2

The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS.

FRIDAY, MARCH 1, 1918 NEW ZEALAND PRISONERS OF WAR.

"We nothing extenuate, nor let down auaht in malice."

The people of New Zealand, being so far removed from the war in point of distance, are, of course, always very keenly and sympathetically interested in knowing what is being done at "the other end" for their sailor and soldier sons, husbands brothers and friends ; and, as it has fallen to the lot of the Department of the High Commissioner in Loudon

to do a great deal of work for our soldiers, Sir Thomas Mackenzie has had prepared, in booklet, form, a concise and very interesting description of the work of his office in this connection. The information thus compiled, the High Commissioner believes, will be acceptable, not only to relatives and friends of our brave lads, but also to the various Patriotic i Societies. Branches of the British j Red Cross Society and Order of St. John, and other organisations engaged in war work in the Dominion. Sir Thomas realises that the feeling of helplessness that must at times come over the

minds of those at home, who :ire separated by so many thousands of miles from dear ones who have left them to take part in the great tight for the Empire, must indeed be harder to combat than anything our people have ever gone through before ; and this, he says, must especially be the case with regard to those of our soldiers who have unfortunately become prisoners of war. The pages of the brochure are devoted mainly to a description of the work of Ihe New Zealand Prisoners of War Department : but mention is also made of other important work which has been undertaken, such as that of keeping in touch, as far as possible, with those New Zealanders who are serving in units of His Majesty's forces other than our own Kxpeditionan Force : the

visiting of the sick and wounded in British hospitals and the reports concerning theii progress sent to t he parents and other relatives : the large number of inquiries dealt with l>y the Department regarding New /.jalanders engaged in all theatresofthe war; inquirio relating to those who have died on the battlefield, and obtaining photographs <>! liuir I <'iav'" when' possible ; and,

finally, the work the Department is often specially requested lo undertake by patriotic societies

and others regarding the purchase, despatch and distribution of gifts to our soldiers. In connection with the work of the Prisoners of War Department, it is noted that a beginning was made with 22 prisoners in Turkey, in August, 1915, and on Ist November last the number had increased to a total of 128. In the prosecution of the war this number, says Sir Thomas, is bound to increase. Moreover, even in a successful advance, men aie sometimes cut off in large bodies from their main force and compelled to surrender. Such a misfortune

might at any time overtake our men, as happened in the case of other units, in which case our prisoners might increase to a verv large number at practically any moment. In view of this possibility, as well as for the benefit of those who are already prisoners of war, the information contained in the High Commissioner's

booklet is indeed valuable. Those interested are enabled to see at a glance just what they may or may not send, and how to send in the safest and most expeditious way those things which it is permissible to send. It is comforting to Jcnow that a soldier who is taken prisoner has not to wait until he cau communicate with his relatives before he is able to secure the comforts of which he is so greatly in need. Notification of capture is received by the High Commissioner's Department through various channels, and immediately upon receipt of such advice the following action is taken :

(i.) A food parcel is ordered to be despatched from London. (ii.) The Central Prisoners of War Committee is asked to telegraph to its Copenhagen depot requesting that first parcels of food and clothing shall be despatched pending the arrival of our own parcels. (iii.) The Bureau de Secours aux Prisonniers de Guerro at Berne is requested to add the name ot the prisoner to the New Zealand list for a regular weekly bread supply. (iv.) An order is given (if the prisoner has reached a permanent camp) for a complete shaving and toilet outfit, and also for a fortnightly tobacco parcel. (v.) A letter is despatched at once to the prisoner informing him that everything possible will be done for him, and asking him to furnish his size in hat and boots (if this is not already known). This letter usually reaches the prisoner before he gets any parcels, but it invariably relieves his natural anxiety as to whether anything is going to be done for him or not. (vi.) A letter is also addressed to the next-of-kin informing them of the action taken, and giving the correct address for correspondence.