A WARNING HEEDED

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 69, Issue 75, 8 January 1949, Page 2

A WARNING HEEDED

Few Yugoslavs Going Home (P.A.) AUCKLAND, Jail. 7. Because of rumours about the experiences of (hose who returned home at the beginning of last year, not more than 28 Yugoslav repatriates will hoard the Yugloslav Government steamer, Partizanka, which is scheduled to arrive at Auckland on the morning ol' January 10. It was anticipated some months ago that the ship, which will spend only a day in port, would take away between 100 and 200 emigrants from New Zealand.

The Partizanka, now on the Australian coast, is bringing 30 passengers from the war-damaged Yugoslav port of Rijeka and Port Said. Most of them are British immigrants intending to settle in the Dominion. Some are believed to have travelled across Europe to join the ship to avoid waiting for berths on British vessels in England. The number of passengers who tvill embark at Sydney for Auckland is not known. Although 2S Yugoslavs had booked passages lor Rijeka up to this afternoon, it was anticipated in an informed quarter-that some of these would change their minds before the repatriation ship sails from Auckland. The number of intending emigrants, it was stated, were elderly people with no family or property ties in New Zealand. Two are women and one is a child aged two. One of those who has cancelled his plans to return to Yugoslavia on the Partizanka.is a well-known farmer in the Auckland district, who was associated with the visit to New Zealand ;of Dr. Gruica Zarkovic, Yugoslav Consul-General in - Sydney at the bobbin ing of last year. This man had already sold his valuable farm, and his defection is regarded, as most significant. His son returned to Yugoslavia with an early draft of emigrants.

The warning issued by the Prime Minister (the Hon. P. Fraser) in September to Yugoslavs thinking of returning home, that there was nothing the New Zealand Government could do if they found themselves unable to leave Yugoslavia again, has had a profound effect on some of the wouldbe emigrants. The contest of loyalties between Auckland admirers of Marshal Tito and avowed Communist adherents of the Cominform since the leader has trodden on the corns, of the Russian Politburo has also fostered misgivings. It is understood that a protracted and stormy conference of the Yugoslav Association was held in Auckland over Christmas and that some of the country branches have threatened to break away.

Avowed Communists in the community are now stated to be opposed to the repatriation scheme. It was tjven suggested that some excuse might be found for “blacklisting” the Partizanka while she is at Auckland. In addition to Yugoslav nationals, the vessel will carry inter-colonial passengers to Sydney. Although she has total accommodation for about 700, only 400 had booked berths up to today.