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During the period under review Dr. Helen Canaval made a medical inspection of School children and reported a grave state of malnutrition. A further survey was also carried out in the Junior and Senior Schools by the Medical panel of the International Welfare Committee. As a result, extra food in the form of dried fruit, fruit juice, milk and porridge was supplied to the children. The general standard of health appears to be much improved and at least up to the 12 year olds, the position is now not unsatisfactory.
After giving the problem of Canteen queues a considerable amount of attention, the Council through its representatives, suggested a scheme for eliminaing this inconvenience by means of numbered tabs issued to Blocks for which tots were drawn by internees resident therein. During this period under review, the International Canteen Committee has been handicapped by the failure of supplies arriving regularly from Hong Kong. Consequently there were long periods when the Canteen had to remain closed and occasions when only limited supplies could be purchased.
Shortly after the arrival of internees in Camp the International Welfare Committee was formed by the Councils of the three Communities. This body later became one of the most important bodies operating at Stanley.
At the outset,
the Committee was in receipt of funds as the result of the sale of cigarettes donated by Messrs. The British American Tobacco Co. Ltd. certain profits from the International Canteen and small supplies of goods received from Hong Kong. Latterly the Welfare Committee has been in receipt of considerable quantities of articles of clothing, foodstuffs etc., forwarded by the Hong Kong Informal Welfare Committee. These goods have been distributed freely and without cost to internees, thus relieving many dire cases of need. The thanks of internees are due to the band of devoted workers who have undertaken this humanitarian work and to all who made it possible by their donations.
With the object of giving the Japanese authorities some indication of the probable desired destination of internees in the event of repatriation, lists were prepared of those internees whose families are in Canada, Australia, and other parts of the British Empire of which they themselves are not citizens. At the request of Shanghai residents at present in Camp, many requests were also made to the Authorities for facilities for their return to the northern port.
The desirability of communications with relatives abroad and in Hong Kong has engaged the attention of the Council in no small degree and representations resulted in the Authorities permitting the despatch, on one occasion, of a ten-word message and on another, of the writing of a 155-word letter. The latter,
it is understood, will accompany American internees likely to be repatriated at an early date.
On several occasions strong protests have been forwarded to the Japanese authorities following molestation of and assaults upon British internees by Camp Guards. Strong exception has also been taken of the lack of communications between various points in Camp caused by the erection of barbed wire fencing.
The Council after much importuning of the Authorities obtained permission for the extension of the curfew during the summer months and for the use of Tweed Bay Beach for sea bathing. For varying reasons, however, these concessions have still to be implemented.
During the latter portion of the period under review,
/the