PRISON TRAINS

Evening Star, Issue 25679, 31 December 1945, Page 7

PRISON TRAINS

JAPS. TRANSPORTED TO WHARF 800 DESPATCHED FOR HOMELAND (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Dec. 30. Two strange express trains sped from Featherston in the light of the early morning to-day. Their journey ended at Aotea quay, Wellington, and they swiftly discharged New Zealand’s 800 Japanese prisoners of war into waiting American L.S.T.s. By 1 o’clock in the afternoon the American ships had sailed, and so was completed New Zealand’s first major venture in the imprisonment of an enemy on her own soil. The first prison express entered the quay just before 8.30 a.m. Guards with bayonets to their rifles were stationed at every carriage and from the windows stared keen and curious Japanese eyes, taking in everything within their vision; For: most of them .it was their first excursion beyond Featherston barbed wire in three years. Each prisoner was clad in New Zealand army uniform and a greatcoat, with a Now Zealand army hat. The whole of their dress was dyed riavy blue.

The first group of these little men from Japan moved smartly out of the carriages down from the train and across a gangway to the. ship. Here, again, soldiers had their rifles and bayonets ready, and bigger guns ojj the ship were trained towards the prisoners, but there was no suggestion of trouble. The Japanese were apparently glad to go home with little bother.

Nine Japanese officors were the first to go aboard L.S.T. 275. Then followed other soldier prisoners, each carrying his white: canvas kit bag. Some had extra packages, apparently containing things they had made in camp. Heavy boxes of belongings were also carried on board..

Behind these soldiers came injured men. leaning on walking sticks. Several had lost limbs in the riot at the prison camp in 1943, but most of them were still able to carry their kit. When til these men had been vaken on hoard and travelled down in the lift'on L.S.T. 275 to their quarters on the tank deck, a special ambulance began discharging 27 . tuberculosis patients. They were taken to special quarters. Quickly the men were settled down in their prison quarters on L.S.T. 275, Then at 11 o’clock there arrived the second train from Featherston, bringing the remaining 400 prisoners. These Were the Japanese labourers who had been captured in the islands. They went through the same routine tin going on board the second American ship, L.S.T. 273. . New Zealand guards accompanied the Japanese. In charge of the New Zealand party was Captain A. Ashton, who was interpreter and interrogator at Featherston camp, and who formerly lived in Japan for 11 years, holding for some time a post as lecturer at a leading Japanese university. The second interpreter was Lieutenant K. E. D. Robertson, arid there were two sergeants, two corporals, and 12 other guards. ■ , It was not known when they sailed whether the New Zealanders would travel all the way to Japan. The journey from here to Japan is-about 5,600 sea mdes, and is expected to take about 30 days, with-stops for water in the Solomons and Marianas.

. Among the few people who were present' to see the prisoners go whs Dr I, E. Bossard, of Auckland, who lias represented the International Red Cross, Geneva, and acted as inspector of the camp for the Red Cross. He has directed the supply of Red Cross comforts to the Japanese. New Zealand lied Cross officials were also present. _ ■ The public either had little interest in the proceedings or did not know what was going on. In any case, had the public appeared there were heavy police guards to turn them back.