Refugees from Chile coming

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33407, 13 December 1973, Page 1

Refugees from Chile coming

Twelve families of political refugees from Chile will arrive in New Zealand before the end of the y ear.

j Many are people who earlier took refuge in Chile but who have now been ordered by t he military’ junta to leave by [the end of December, or [face imprisonment. I It is believed that about 30,000 people in Chile are seeking asylum in other countries before the end of the year. New Zealand has so far agreed to take 20 families, who will come under the auspices of the Inter-church Committee on Immigration, a body representing the[ National Council of Churches and the Roman Catholic

iChurch. The committee will supervise their resettlement (in New Zealand. I The committee has said in [a statement that 15 offers of [accommodation for families from Chile have come from people in the Christchurch area. , New Zealand should continue to make a strenuous effort to offer sanctuary, and [the Government should advertise places in New Zealand through representatives [in Santiago, says the commit [tee. It urges that applicants [be assured that their cases will receive swift action. Information received by the National Council of [Churches indicates that there 'are still many Chilean and [nun-Chilean refugees who have not found suitable (places in which to resettle outside Chile.