MISSING PEOPLE IN MALAYA

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23845, 14 January 1943, Page 2

MISSING PEOPLE IN MALAYA

METHODS OF OBTAINING INFORMATION

(P.S.S.) DUNEDIN. Jan. 13. Commenting on a report from Auckland concerning difficulty in securing information as to the fate of Europeans who wore in Malaya when it was captured by the Japanese, the acting-secretary of the Waitaki Electric Power Board iMr T. Malloy) said to-day that, according to information he received, inquiries could be made through the Vatican Information Bureau for missing relatives. Mr Malloy was in Kuala Lumpur, Malaya, but left on leave before the Japanese invasion. He is interested in the matter because he is seeking information about his brother, who was last seen in Singapore. In a letter dated October 11, 1942, Mr Malloy's sister, who is in England, writes that the "Catholic Herald" in England suggests that people with relatives missing in the Far East should write to the Vatican Information Bureau, Vatican City. No reply or acknowledgement is made to such letters, but inquiries are sent to the Apostolic Delegate in Tokyo, with such details as are furnished. For example, when a missing relative is a civilian particulars of his age and employment should be given, and appropriate details should also be given in the case of a'soldier, airman or sailor. Postage on a letter from England is sd, and such letters arc accepted by the British Post Office and forwarded via Lisbon.