AID FOR GREECE

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 150, 22 December 1945, Page 9

AID FOR GREECE

N.Z. PARTY

CORSO UNIT FAREWELLED

Despite their own penury the people of Greece succoured British servicemen at the risk of their lives and to the detriment of their own scanty rations when the Germans overran the country, said the Acting Prime Minister (Mr. Nash) at a farewell in Wellington yesterday to the New Zealand Relief Unit which is to work in Greece in association with UNRRA. Among the Allied people who owed so much to the Greeks, he said, no name stood higher in their estimation than that of New Zealanders.

"We must never forget what the Greeks did for our own men," continued Mr. Nash. "Whatever might have been the political differences that developed later, they as a people remained a single unit'in deciding that the German forces of occupation should not succeed." The dispatch of the CORSC unit, observed the Acting Prime Minister, was one way in which 'New Zealand could repay some of the hospitality of the Greek nation. Mr. C. G. White presided, and also with him on the platform were Dr. Sylvia Chapman, the leader of the unit, Mr. J. A. Home, deputy leader, the Consul for Greece (Mr. T. E. Y. Seddon), and the Rev. J. T. Macky, chairman of the Inter-church Council on Public Affairs. Members of the unit were subsequently entertained at luncheon. COURAGE REQUIRED. The task to which the unit was proceeding, continued Mr. Nash, was in some respects more difficult than those usually associated with war. To begin with, it lacked excitement. Courage and self-sacrifice were demanded in a land where disease was rampant. The people of New Zealand, he added, were not always aware just how well they had been looked after during the war years. Hunger had been unknown in the Dominion; her people had not known the tyranny of occupation. It should be possible for New Zealanders, without lowering their own standards, to contribute a little more in the way of foodstuffs lor distressed people overseas. "The less we eat here," said Mr. Nash, "the more we can send abroad. If we do that we shall make as important a contribution during the next six months as we did during the six years of the war." On behalf of the Government he wished all members of the party farewell, and remarked that he believed they would justify, ..the faith that the New Zealand people had shown in Replying on behalf of the unit, Dr. Chapman said that her colleagues were proud and happy to be the representatives of New Zealand in Greece, and looked forward to making the most of the opportunity for service. "There is nothing romantic or heroic about our task " she said. "We all know that we will' have to deal with smells and drains and similar details. But if we can save some children from tuberculosis, or prevent the spread, of cholera in some of the villages, we know that we shall be fulfilling the task that has been set us." Dr. Chapman added that all members of the party were grateful for the encouragement and help they had received. MESSAGE OF GOOD WILL. The Consul (Mr. Seddon) asked the party to carry a message of good will from the Greek residents, numbering more than 600, in and around Wellington. "You are going to a grateful country," said Mr. Seddon, who recalled the efforts of Britain as long ago as 1821, with the active support of Lord Byron and others, to free that people from the yoke of the Turks. Such ties were cemented, he commented, during the momentous days of 1941 when so many Allied servicemen were saved by the Greeks from internment at the hands of the Germans. "The New Zealanders who have returned from Greece have been magnificent ambassadors," he added. . "CORSO sends you forth," said Mr. Macky, "with the, feeling that you will all be worthy of the trust reposed m you to battle with disease and starvation. That task will call forth the best that is in you, and will demand courage and self-sacrifice." • Mr. White commented upon the ruthlessness of the Germans while_ in Greece, the economic paralysis that had followed. ?nd the courage of the Greeks in the face of adversity. "UNRRA is bringing relief toi a despairing people," he said. "CORSO was established at the request of the Government here, and we intend to carry on ,tj long as we are required, and I hope we shall satisfy the people of this Dominion." Any criticism of the scheme was welcomed, said Mr. White, so long as it was fair and constructive. "But we do not want any hitting below the belt, nor criticism intended to arouse suspicions," he added. "That we will treat with the contempt it deserves." UNIT'S PERSONNEL. Following is the personnel of the unit: • ■ Dr. Sylvia Chapman (Wellington), leader and chief medical officer; Mr. J A. Home (Hamilton), deputy leader and chief administrative officer; Mr. B. A. Watts (Whakatane), chief transport officer. . First public health team: Dr. Chapman, senior medical officer; Dr. Alison Hunter (Wanganui), medical officer; Miss I. M. McLean (North Auckland), nurse; Miss Iris Lawson (Dannevirke), nursing assistant; Miss Kathleen I. White (Christchurch), dispenser; Mr. Home, adjutant; Mr. W. O. Petty (Mas-

terton), transport officer; Miss Margaret Bamford (Dunedin), assistant transport officer. Second public health team: Dr. Athol J. Patterson (Wanganui), medical officer and leader; Miss W. W. McGregor (Rangitikei), nurse; Miss M. A. L. Wood (North Canterbury), nursing assistant; Mr. T. M. Stephens (Wellington), adjutant; Miss Louise B. Logan (Dunedin), transport officer. Relief refugee team: Mr. G. H. Gilling (Rotorua), leader; Rev. L. A. D. Hayman (Christchurch), adjutant; Miss Margaret C. McLean (Waikato), registrar; Miss Elsie W. Steven (Napier), health officer; Mr. Watts, transport officer; Mr. James T. McDevitt, interpreter. Laboratory team: Miss Pauline H. Buddie (Auckland), technician and leader; Mr. D. H. Diggle (Napier), assistant technician; and Miss Verna D. Corbett (Napier), driver-clerk.