POLISH REFUGEES

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23985, 28 June 1943, Page 4

POLISH REFUGEES

ARRIVAL AT WELLINGTON ON WAY TO MEXICO Appreciation of the help given to 700 Polish refugee women and children, who arrived at Wellington recently on their way to Mexico, is expressed by Countess Maria Wodzicka, delegate of the Polish Red Cross to the Red Cross Society of New Zealand. “Some time ago, quite unexpectedly, a ship arrived with 700 Polish refugees, mostly women and orphan children, released from prison camps,” writes Countess Wodzicka. They were the first contingent of 10,000, to whom hospitality has been offered in Mexico, and the Polish Consul in Bombay, who escorted them, told me that while they were now very well-fed, they badly needed essential clothing.”An appeal was made to the Wellington public, and in three ho.urs the Wellington Red Cross Society and kindred organisations had in hand large quantities of excellent clothing of all kinds.

Countess Wodzicka says she was able to visit the refugees on the ship, and their appearance would leave on her an unforgettable impression. It was not only their physical appearance—nearly all of them had had malaria and half of them scurvy from malnutrition—but it was the expression in the children’s eyes. The captain of the ship told her: “These children never cry, they cause no trouble on board.” And one of the Polish teachers added: “Nor do they laugh.” “One thing more I should like to add," writes Countess Wodzicka. “Many sick and wounded New Zealand soldiers returned on this ship. One of the Polish ladies, Madame Tyszkiewicz, a personal friend of mine, told me: ‘The New Zealand soldiers are not only famous, modern warriors, they have also some qualities of the noble knights of old, every one is a perfect gentleman. Tell me, please, what kind of a country is this New Zealand that gives such sons?’ “I told her. .. .”