Refugee aid praised

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32462, 24 November 1970, Page 16

Refugee aid praised

A special representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has applauded New Zealand’s contribution towards the resettlement of European refugees.

He is Mr Roman Kohaut, who last August was appointed special United Nations representative in Australia and New Zealand and is at present in Christchurch. Mr Kohaut said that New Zealand had distinguished itself by its very generous attitude towards refugees and in particular towards those who were barred from other countries because of physical handicap.

He said that the problem of refugees was still acute. There were 2.5 million people who had fled from their own countries for political reasons.

The European refugees who came to New Zealand were those who were not acceptable in other countries because of physical handicap or wanted a home further away from their country of origin.

Mr Kohaut said that the most important solution to the problem of refugees was to try to return them to their own countries. But this was only possible when they agreed to it. Some Russians and people from African countries had shown a willingness to go home. Those who did not want to return could either stay in

Europe or come to Australia or New Zealand. While New Zealand had already done an excellent job in the refugee field the problems of settlement were so enormous that his organisation would welcome the possibility of being able to send more refugees to New Zealand, said Mr Kohaut. He said he realised that the number New Zealand could take depended on economic circumstances. During his visit to New Zealand Mr Kohaut will have discussions with the refugee service of the National Council of Churches in Christchurch. In Wellington he will have discussions with representatives of the Government, C.0.R.5.0. and similar agencies.