STARVING GREEKS

Evening Post, Volume CXXXIII, Issue 43, 20 February 1942, Page 4

STARVING GREEKS

DIFFICULT TO GIVE

AID

Difficulties which lie in the way of the New Zealand Government giving aid to the starving Greek people are referred to by the Prime Minister (Mr. Fraser) in a reply he has sent to a letter received by him from Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon, Consul-General for Greece in New Zealand.

"May I suggest," stated Mr. Seddon in his letter, "that if the Government, in addition to offering a supply of food, were to make an appeal to the manufacturers and business people in New Zealand, a contribution would go to Greece which would be a recognition and an appreciation from this part of the Empire of the help given to our cause when the Greeks fought the Italians and succoured our troops in both Greece and Crete."

After referring to an interim reply he had sent to Mr. Seddon a few days previously, Mr. Fraser stated in his reply that he had given further consideration to this matter as the Government wished very much to assist in relieving the distressing sufferings of our gallant ally. "The remitting of funds to Greece, even if this were possible, would appear to be of little, if any, material assistance as apparently no additional food is available there," said the Prime Minister. "As regards the supply of food and clothing you will doubtless have noticed a report in the Press recently to the effec,t that the German and Italian authorities would not grant a safe conduct for a proposed shipment of wheat.- Till this position is clarified and the shipments safeguarded, therefore, it would seem to be of little or no use attempting, to arrange a shipment from New Zealand.

"The Government are, however, watching the position carefully and if and when assistance becomes practicable the New Zealand Government will be pleased to assist. I will be glad to have your assistance through Greek Government channels in ascertaining what can be done and the best channel for sending assistance."