HELP THE TROOPS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21190, 13 August 1940, Page 7

HELP THE TROOPS

QUESTION IS HOW? SENDING THE MEN COMFORTS VALUABLE GUIDE BOOKLET Small parcels sent often to the troops overseas are more appreciated than large ones sent only occasionally. That is the advice given to senders of private parcels to the soldiers of the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force, as outlined in a booklet of general information which has been issued by the National Patriotic Fund Board. There are countless tips contained in the 43 pages which should prove invaluable to next-of-kin and friends of members of the forces who are serving overseas.

Another selection of advice: “If you have no time to write regularly, send a newspaper; if you have no time to send a parcel, send an order for £1; if you have no time to do any of these things ask yourself whether excuses will win the war.” Free To Ncxt-of-Kin That observation might arouse a host of queries. How can I write, troops and how much can I send the postage; what can I put in the parcel and how will I forward it; how can I despatch money to the dreds of others ar eanswered in the overseas? All these points and hundreds ofothers are answered in the booklet, which will shortly be on sale to the general public and posted free of charge to next-of-kin of the members of the fighting forces. When the books arrive in Hamilton they will be distributed through the patriotic committees. Next-of-kin may make application for their free copies. “The policy of the board, the provincial councils and their allied organisations is to share the comforts equally among the men of all arms of the service, irrespective of the uniforms they happen to be wearing, or the ranks they hold,” states the board in an introduction to the booklet. Several Don’ts A page of special interest is devoted to “don’ts,” these being a list of articles that should under no circumstances be posted. Even recipes for cakes that will stand the long time involved in travel are given. Under other headings the book shows how to send cables to Egypt, how to address letters and what to avoid under the censorship regulations. It is of interest to note that relatives and friends may remit money by cable or letter overseas. Such remittances should be made in multiples of £l, subject to a limit in any year from all sources of £2O in New Zealand curency. A nominal charge of 5s is made for cabling money.

Details are given of rates of pay and the position regarding allotments to next-of-kin, also information concerning the Financial Assistance Board.

Fourteen pages are devoted to knitting patterns for socks, mittens, gloves, scarves, balaclavas, stockings, and various types of pullovers, while there are also recipes for cakes, shortbread and ginger nuts. Another section deals with the regulations covering the collection and expenditure of patriotic funds. Reference is made to the sending of cables to England, letters and parcels for prisoners of war and parcels for New Zealanders who have enlisted with the British Forces.