“THE KIWI”

Wairarapa Times-Age, 24 March 1943, Page 4

“THE KIWI”

NEW ZEALAND ARMY PAPER IN PACIFIC. FIRST ISSUE PUBLISHED ' ON MARCH 10. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The first issue of the “Kiwi,” the name given to the New Zealand troops’ own newspaper in the Pacific area, was published on March 10. It comprised four pages of world, New Zealand and local news; also comment on world events and messages from the Prime Minister (Mr Fraser) and others, expressing good wishes for the success of the paper and the Kiwi Force in the Pacific. The printing plant for the paper was purchased by the National Patriotic Fund Board and shipped from New Zealand. The Army Educational and Welfare Service is responsible for the production of the paper, which is entirely hand-set and has been established in face of some difficulty. Most of the fittings and furniture of the printing and editorial offices had to be made from packing cases. Much of the machinery was damaged in transit. A good deal of small type was lost and the rest was so thoroughly pied that all hands from the O.C. down had to spend days of monotonous sorting. Local items in the first issue include a description of the first show given in the open air by the mobile cinema presented by the R.S.A. Films for this plant are being provided through the •Patriotic Fund Board, which is also meeting all maintainance costs.