WELFARE OF MIGRANTS

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28552, 3 April 1958, Page 13

WELFARE OF MIGRANTS

Survivors From Ship Fire

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Bee. 10 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 2. The 1080 passengers from the Norwegian migrant ship, Skaubryn, which caught Are in the Indian Ocean yesterday, will be flown to Australia from Aden. This was stated in a cablegram today from the Oslo owners to the Skaubryn's agents, C. Sleigh. Ltd. The passengers and crew are now on their way to Aden 'n the Italian liner Roma after a dramatic double transfer in midocean.

There are 23 babies and 186 children under the age of 10 among the passengers. It will be one of the biggest peace-time airlifts ever made. The Australian Immigration Minister, Mr A. R. Downer, said today that the migrants could be assured of a warm and sympathetic welcome when they reached Australia. Mr Downer said he had also sent a cablegram to the Governor of Aden informing him of Australia’s deep interest in the welfare of the migrants, and asking him to do everything reasonably necessary to relieve their distress.

Immediate arrangements for the care, accommodation and onward transport of the migrants were in the hands of the inter-govern-mental committee for European Migration, which arranged shipping to Australia for migrants.