SOLDIERS’ FOOD PARCELS.

RATIONED ARTICLES DISCOURAGED.

In a communiqué issued last night the War Office states: The very natural desire to ensure the comfort of our troops serving overseas has resulted in large numbers of parcels being despatched from this country by their relatives and friends, and the military authorities have at all times made the best possible arrangements for distribution, despite the fact that a considerable amount of tonnage and transport has been expended on this service.

In view, however, of the recent shortage of food at home the military authorities feel bound to discourage any further despatch of parcels containing articles of rationed food from this country. The ration provided is ample, and indeed on a generous scale, and can be supplemented by other commodities available in the canteens and philanthropic institutions. Moreover, it is probable that the troops themselves would be the first to deprecate any further straining of the food position at home.