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Wairarapa Times-Age, 9 August 1941, Page 6

MESSAGES HOME

FROM RETURNING WOUNDED MEN MINISTER ANNOUNCES CONCESSION. ' FREE TELEGRAMS & CHEAP TOLL CALLS. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. On the arrival of an hospital ship at Wellington recently, it was found that’ one of the first things the returned men wished to do was to notify their relatives of their safe arrival. Some hundreds of telegrams addressed to all parts of the Dominion were lodged by the men within a few hours of their arrival. Many toll calls were also made. In order to afford returned men some concession in this connection, the Postmaster-General (Mr Webb) announces that in future men returning on hospital ships will be permitted to lodge two free telegrams to any address in New Zealand. Eacn soldier will be presented on arrival with two franked telegram forms, and special arrangements will be made at the holding hospital at Aotea Quay to collect the messages. In addition a number of telephone toll cabinets are being erected at the holding hospital to facilitate the handling of toll calls from soldiers to their relatives and friends. Soldiers making toll calls through these telephones will receive a concession of half rates during the full rate period. The Minister indicated that the aim of the Post Office was to facilitate in every way possible communication between the returned men and their relatives in other towns, and he felt sure that the arrangements in view would be greatly appreciated by the soldiers.