PRISONERS OF WAR

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 7, 3 October 1941, Page 10

PRISONERS OF WAR

N.Z. Representation In Geneva An assurance that everything possible was being done in rather difficult circumstances to arrange for a New Zealand representative to be attached to the International Red Cross in Geneva was given by the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, in replying to an urgent question by Mr. Richards .Government, Roskill) in the House of Representatives yesterday. Mr. Richards mentioned teh desirability of having this representation to further the welfare of New Zealand prisoners of war, and to obtain the earliest direct information for next-of-kin. Mr. Fraser said the question had been raised by the Government with the International Red Cross, and by himself in London. He was informed by Red Cross headquarters in London that neither the Swiss Government nor the International Red Cross favoured the idea, but the Government felt that in present circumstances direct New Zealand representation was warranted. Steps had already been taken for further representations on the matter to be made through the United Kingdom Government.

The Prime Minister added a reference to the difficulty of reaching Geneva, which was practically encircled. He said it would be a long and difficult journey, perhaps through Portugal, Spain, and Vichy France, or by way of the Straits of Gibraltar and Marseilles. Some thought had been given to the possibility of having some trustworthy person, already in Geneva and interested in New Zealand, acting as representative. Everything possible was being done.