CIVIL INTERNEES AT SINGAPORE

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23808, 30 November 1942, Page 6

CIVIL INTERNEES AT SINGAPORE

* TREATMENT REPORTED BY BISHOP (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Nov. 28. A letter from the Bishop of Sarawak, who is interned at Singapore, to the Prisoners of War Inquiry Office, says that the island is entirely policed by Britons. The Japanese general in charge is not only a Christian, but, like most well-educated Orientals of that faith, is a practising Christian, The Japanese in general are behaving well, says the bishop. Civilian internees live in hotels, play tennis, etc., and are practically unrestricted in their movements. Another letters refers to the Stanley civilian camp at Hong Kong. It is stated to be well organised, and with ample opportunity for exercise. The hospital is organised and staffed by formei members of the Hong Kong Medical Department. At the time the letter was written the food was not all that could be desired, but the Japanese had been induced to reduce the amount of rice and to give wheat Hour instead. The number of prisoners of war officially notified to the inquiry office at Wellington has now reached 8024 (Army 7692, Air Force 237, Navy 17, merchant seamen and civilians 40, miscellaneous 38). A batch of acknowledgement cards from P.G. 52, Italy, for food parcels from New Zealand includes not only New Zealanders, but men of British Army regiments, South Africans, and a member of the crew of the submarine Cachalot.