GIFTS FOR SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1918, Page 6

GIFTS FOR SOLDIERS.

THE UTILES TO BE OBSERVED. (Our Special Correspondent). Wellington, May 21. Some questions regarding gifts for soldiers are asked by a correspondent, who states that the rules to be observed in the preparation and despatch of parcels arc not generally understood. The information that has been published on the.subject i s "contradictory or at least very confusing." There are no prohibitions as far as parcels posted to soldiers on active service are concerned. Thejmperial Government lias issued a long list of articles that may not be imported into tho United Kingdom and that, consequently, may not bo sent through, the post to civilians in Great Britain. But these restrictions do not apply to soldiers on active service. Parcels posted from New Zealand to members of the NewZealand Expeditionary Force may contain gifts of any kind provided that the packing is secure. The correspondent complains that he was refused free railway carriage for parcel of books, etc., for the use of soldiers ou transports. The rule is that these parcels must be sent through the patriotic societies or other channels recognised by tho Internal Affairs Department. They are sent by the patriotic societies to the Under-Secretary for Internal Affairs, wad are handed over by his officers to the Defence authorities, the Department paying the freight charges. Thees parcels are not to be addressed to individual soldiers. The Internal Affairs Department takes responsibility also for the despatch of cases and parcels prepared by patriotic j and Rod Cross societies for hospitals and ! for units at the front. The organisations which undertake the preparation of gifts of this kind understand the. conditions, and the system has worked well. The parcels are addressed to units, not to individuals. Then there are the parcels -intended • for departing soldiers alboard transports. Those parcels are to be sent to Captain Billton, Transport Officer, K Shed, Wellington. They must not contain alcoholic liquor, but thero are no other restrictions that need trouble the donors. The parcels are sent aboard the ships at the right time and handed to the addresses after departure-