Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1939. REFUGEE PROBLEM.

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 February 1939, Page 6

Greymouth Evening Star. AND BRUNNERTON ADVOCATE SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1939. REFUGEE PROBLEM.

from the distressed rarely go unheeded in Britain and U.S.A. Where the refugees from Germany and other lands are concerned, large sums have already been subscribed on their behalf, Government and public bodies, and private organisations doing what they can to meet immediate needs. The refugees are so numerous, their wants so widespread, and their former standards so varying, that a problem has been created almost baffling solution. Under these circum-

stances, critics should be slow to condemn the authorities because lUiet- have not devised a ent-and-dried scheme by 'which further hardship will be avoided. There are many aspects to consider besides the humane, and if discretion.does not accompany philanthropy, the ultimate position will, be worse than the present. Statesmen’s first duty is to their own people, many of whom are unemployed and distressed. An influx of foreign refugees would add to the competition for work, already too keen in many places.

Those in sheltered positions, such as bishops, look at the question solely from the humane viewpoint. Industrialists and professional num are mostly anxious as to the effect on their own welfare. if no limit, is placed on the entry of

potential rivals. There is nothing wrong will) this desire for self-pre-servation, and any attempt to defy it, will not prove to be in the interest of the refugees, themselves. There is an understandable objection to Germany, which is seizing all the possessions of

her own Jews, and easting them ; abroad 1o be maintained by other nations, getting away easily with these tactics. Group settlements cannot be devised and financed at a day’s notice; moreover, not all the refugees are desirables. One example of opposition to further influx of refugees may be

cited as typical, and that is, the protests by medical men in British lands against foreign doctors being welcomed within British borders. Admissions to Britain’s medical register have averaged 500 for each of the last, ten years. Britain has already admitted over 300 alien doctors, and proposes to permit another 500. Where will they find enough employment? These foreigners, as a class, have no better qualifications than their British colleagues, some do not speak English, and most must be ignorant. of the habits of their prospective English patients. Australia has, also, allowed many refugeedoctors to enter her territory, and numerous applications continue to be received. Pathetic circumstances are often revealed, but with Ihe best will in the world, it is impossible to help all the supplicants. What applies to doctors may. also be stated of members of other callings. It is easy for stay-at-homes to talk of “the vast open spaces” of Overseas, but those with first-hand knowledge of such “spaces,” know that it would be cruelty to dump refugees there, without extensive and costly preparation for their maintenance. The money is not available, and the time that would be taken before migration was possible, would prevent relief of the present position. These difficulties do not mean that nothing should be done for the victims of Nazi oppression. Their cause is one warranting general support. History proves that when such bread is cast upon the waters, adequate return is forthcoming, sooner or later. So long as every country is contributing what it can to the refugees’ assistance, either in gifts or in territorial admission, there is little cause for criticism.