SOME IMPROVEMENT

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 June 1943, Page 3

SOME IMPROVEMENT

IN PRISON CAMPS IN JAPAN REPORTED BY RED CROSS. TREATMENT OF CIVIL INTERNEES. (Bv Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Cabled advice has been received by the Prisoners of War Inquiry Office regarding visits to camps in the East. In Hong Kong camps officers are receiving pay, enabling them to supplement theii standard rations by purchases from canteens. Conditions are improved owing ot increased rations and weekly parcels. At camps visited at Osaka, allowances per head per month are 30 sen, which is more than is received by Japanese soldiers. Red Cross parcels are received in all camps. Labour is compulsory for n.c.o.’s and privates eight hours per day, with Sundays free. The pay is 10 to 35 sen per day. Five to six cigarettes are allowed per day. The money earned is credited to savings acoucnts, and can be drawn with the consent of the authorities. At another camp, it is stated, treatment, discipline and morale are good. Reports from Philippine camps, up to March, state that the prisoners’ health and conditions are improving. Mosquito nets are provided for all prisoners. At Camp Taiwan glasses have been purchased for 20 prisoners. More recreation has been granted to aged prisoners. Books, Bibles and playing cards have been sent. At Camp Osaka, gramophones and records, ping pong sets and footballs, were purchased from the Pope's Relief Fund; also nearly 4000 pairs of shoes were supplied by the Army.

A report on a Mukden camp states that the health of the prisoners generally has improved. Canteens have been established in Java camps, and pigs arc being raised. Reports dated at the end of March state that civil interests in Japan proper are permitted to despatch two letters, written in Japanese, per week, and one letter in English per month, containing not more than 100 words.

The International Red Cross delegate reported in March that 4000 books, musical instruments, sports articles and gameswere purchased for camps in Japan by a committee consisting of Ministers and members of the Swedish Legation and the International Red Cross delegate. The latter also advised that he was proceeding with negotiations to'establish educational facilities and books for camps in Japan.