WAR PRISONERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 November 1943, Page 4

WAR PRISONERS

CONDITIONS IN JAPAN RED CROSS DISCUSSIONS TRANSFERS FROM ITALY TO GERMANY (By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day. The Prisoners of War Inquiry Office has received advice, from the International Red Cross tb the effect that Prince Shimadzu, who is a vice-presi-dent of the Japanese Red Cross, journeyed by the relief ship Teia Maru in order to discuss various pending Red Cross problems concerning prisoners of war and civilian internees, and also the distribution of the Red Cross relief cargo of foods, medicines, etc. The discussion was to take place with Red Cross delegates of Shanghai and Hong Kong, and with Japanese Red Cross authorities where there were no International Red Cross delegates functioning. The Red Cross delegate in Japan advises that correspondence front the principal and annexe camps ( has averaged a postcard a month since May, 1943. In two of the camps three days a month rest was alhxabd, and prisoners work for eight hours a day. They are paid standard rates, with a bonus up to five sen a day for qualified workers. The Inquiry Office is very anxious to receive copies of letters from Italian camps in August or early September. The International Red Cross advises that British officers previously located in Italy have been transferred to German camps—Oflag XII B at Hadamar and Oflag V A at Weinsberg. Prisoners other than officers have been transferred to Stalag VIII B, Stalag XVIII A and Stalag XVIII C. Even though prisoner of war numbers have been allotted to .most of the prisoners concerned, the only addresses to be regarded as permanent are Oflag XII B and Stalag VIII B, and mail for prisoners located at any of the other camps mentioned should still be addressed C/o the High Commissioner, 415 The Strand, London.