LETTERS TO SOLDIERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 19 October 1940, Page 4

LETTERS TO SOLDIERS

NEED FOR EXERCISING CARE NO REFERENCE TO DISPATCH OF TROOPS. SUGGESTIONS BY PREMIER. Precautions which writers of letters to men serving in the armed forces overseas should take to falicitate the quick dispatch of their correspondence were suggested yesterday by the Prime Minister, Mr Fraser. He said that now that so many men were abroad on active service, it was to be expected that an increased number of letters would be dispatched from New Zealand to them, particularly in view of the approaching Christmas season. W » Every, week a very large number of letters was sent by air from New Zealand, and it unfortunately had proved necessary to censor all these letters as so many writers had been indiscreet in their remarks about the troops, said Mr Fraser. During September it was necessary to make 2243 excisions from letters posted in one city in New Zealand —all the excisions having reference to matters concerning the dispatch of troops. “From this it will be seen that the public are singularly trusting and apparently do not realising how dangerous such a practice is,” said Mr Fraser. “Steamers carrying mails have been captured by the enemy, and it is always possible that more may be intercepted by the enemy.” Mr Fraser said he realised that New Zealand correspondents were just as anxious as the Government to keep secret the movements of troops between here and their overseas destinations, but unfortunately they frequently overlooked the fact that no reference should be made to shipping or troops proceeding abroad. It would be very helpful if the following suggestions were observed when letters for overseas were being written:-— (1) Do not may any reference to ships in port or proceeding overseas. (2) Do not make any reference to troops about to depart from New Zealand oi’ any reference to their probable destination.

(3) Do not send any letters or cables to expected ports of call for our troops. (4) Write in ink, as legibly as possible. (Note: Letters which are difficult to read are necessarily put aside » till the rush is over.) , (5) Post as soon as written. Avoid last-minute rush if you want mail to catch plane or steamer. ** (6) Show regimental number and address at least one inch from edge of envelope. (7) Show on back of envelope preferably, name and address of sender. “If these precautions are taken, the public can rely on the quick dispatch of their mail,” said Mr. Fraser. '