CZECH REFUGEES

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12485, 20 October 1938, Page 5

CZECH REFUGEES

STATEMENT IN ENGLAND SOME MAY COME TO NEW ZEALAND HIGH COMMISSIONER QUOTED London, Oct. 18. The Daily Herald (Labour) quotes Mr Jordan as saying that “New Zealand is prepared to admit as many Czech refugees as possible to the limit of-our requirements.” A news agency states that the British Government has acquainted the Dominions of the nature of the problem but has not made specific suggestions. There are hopes that the Dominions may be persuaded to take a few hundred. The problem is not being tackled at present in terms of thuosands. It is expected Britain will take 300.

The Daily Telegraph’s diplomatic correspondent says it is understood the British Government is prepared to allow 300 Czech refugees from Sudetenland to settle in England,

It is believed Canada has also intimated that she is prepared to take a portion of the refugees provided they are adequately financed for establishment, as farmers. The Czech relief fund now totals £125,000. ; On behalf :of the Parliamentary Labour Party, Mr. David Grenfell, member for. Glamorgan, to-day visited the' Foreign Office in connection with the question of refugees in Czchoslovakia. He is to return to Prague to-night. AGREEMENT EXPRESSED MR. SAVAGE’S STATEMENT Wellington, Oct. 19. Agreement with the cabled statement of Mr. Jordan was expressed by the Prime Minister, Mr. Savage, in an interview this evening. * Mr. Jordan’s statement is sound and I agree with what he says,” said Mr, Savage. “Our first duty is to the British people, and after that we will naturally do what yve can for others. Although I have had representations by individuals, no official overtures have so far been made to the New Zealand Government to admit refugees from Czechoslovakia.”