REFUGEE STUDENTS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 131, 30 November 1939, Page 15

REFUGEE STUDENTS

TWO PERMITS GRANTED

ARRIVAL NEXT YEAR

(Special to the "Evening Post.")

CHRISTCHURCH,. This Day. Permits to,enter^New Zealand have been obtained for two German refugee students by the organisers of the Can-: terbury University College Refugee Students' Fund. , These are believed to be'the only permits granted7.since the war began, but \ they are -.thje... ; culmination of several months:'of work during (Which £300 was raised for the students' fund. . ' , , , '■'-..':"'-:: ;i .

The two refugees, who are. expected to arrive in time for the beginning of. the University session , next year, are Hans Offenberger and Heinrich Loeb. Loeb, it is planned, will con-: tinue his studies at the Canterbury Agricultural College, where the stud-, ents have raised £30 towards his course. Offenberger will study at Canterbury, College:' Mr. S. S. Amies, whose personal efforts have . 'been largely responsible for the bringing out of the two refugees; said yesterday that it was understood that the college council would give assistance in finding college fees and board.

Offenberger is stated in the official German •certificate; issued in Vienna, to be of the Jewish faith. , He iis 19 gears' of age: and, the certificate states, lias passed with distinction .the final examination of a school of the "realgymnasium" type, and has been declared capable of pursuing university studies. . ", "■•■. '■'■ •''

Loeb is described officially as Protestant (non-Aryan). He studied chemistry for • two years in Vienna at a special school, butV was unable to go to the university because of being "non-Aryan,"; He had. practical experience in a textile-dyeing and printing mill. He speaks English, German, and French. '"■•:■ '':'. .•■'.-.... ■. ly

On leaving Germany, both the refugees werec placed" oh a farm in Denmark, the owner ■of which, ;Mr. Hpv-rriand-Hansen, gives a very, favourable' account of their capability for agricultural work. ■ In England they have also been employed on farms.