NEEDS THAT ARE URGENT.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 December 1943, Page 2

NEEDS THAT ARE URGENT.

J£INSFOLK of New Zealand prisoners of war transferred from Italy io Germany will have learned with not a little relief that organised action is being taken to see that they are supplied as far as possible with clothing of which they may stand greatly in need. Into what part of the Reich our men have been moved has not yet been made known, but, they are likely to be exposed to severe winter conditions in which an adequate outfit of clothing will be of the utmost importance. Most is to be hoped from the arrangements made to forward bulk supplies of battle dress, underclothing, etc., from Geneva stocks to reception camps in Germany, and from the redirecting by the International Red Cross of parcels addressed by next of kin to Italy. The Prisoners of War Inquiry Office is asking for information received by next of kin in this country from war prisoner relatives in Germany that they have arrived in that country short of clothing. In view, however, of the time often taken for letters from prisoners to reach the Dominion, this procedure appears to hold out little hope'of effective help being given during the present northern winter. In some instances at least communication between war prisoners and their relatives and the transmission of next of kin parcels are exceedingly slow and uncertain. AH that can be done towards ensuring that the most essential needs of war prisoners are met through the agency of the International Red Cross most certainly should be done.