BLUE-PENCIL

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21248, 19 October 1940, Page 9

BLUE-PENCIL

MAIL FOR SOLDIERS TROOP MOVEMENTS GIVEN (By Telegraph.—Press Association) WELLINGTON. Friday The Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser today drew particular attention to the need for a strict censorship of all letters. He said that every week a very large number of letters was sent by air from New Zealand, and it unfortunately proved necessary to censor all these letters, as so many writers had been indiscreet in their remarks about the troops. During September it was necessary to make 2243 excisions from letters posted in cne city in New Zealand—all excisions having reference to matters concerning the despatch of troops. “From this it will be seen that the public are singularly trusting and apparently do not realise how dangerous such a practice is,” Mr Fraser said. “Steamers carrying mails have been captured by the enemy, and it Is always possible more may be intercepted by the enemy.” MANY LETTERS RETURNED SENDER’S ADDRESS NOT GIVEN (By Telegranh.—.Snpclal to Tlrrio«) WELLINGTON, Friday A large number of letters posted in New Zealand is being returned from the United Kingdom and other overseas countries marked “gone away,” and the return of these by the deadletter office to the senders is being hindered in many cases by the absense of the senders’ surnames and addresses. Shortly after the outbreak of war the censorship authorities stipulated that the name and address of the writer were to be shown on the back of the cover of every letter for overseas. Senders are strongly urged to write their full address on their letters, preferably on the reverse side of the envelope.