WELCOME TO POLES

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21550, 1 November 1944, Page 2

WELCOME TO POLES

New Zealand will be pleased to extend the warm hand of welcome to the Poles, most of them children,-who have arrived in this country to seek refuge from war-torn Europe. The story of Poland’s sufferings is one of the major tragedies of the war. The nation has felt the full impact of a German blitzkrieg and for years thereafter has writhed under the heel of the cruellest oppressors the world has ever known. Nor is its travail yet over. Fierce battles remain to be waged on its soil, the only consolation being that on this occasion complete liberation is in sight. So much for the military aspect of Poland’s plight—it will doubtless be years after the last shot has been fired before the country can be reconstructed on anything like its former peacetime basis. More serious even than the terrible destruction wrought on cities, towns and villages is the loss of life among civilians as well as in the service ranks. Thousands of breadwinners have passed on as a result of the satanic march of Hitler's hordes, and those of their womenfolk and children who have managed to flee beyond the Polish borders may, in the circumstances, count themselves fortunate.

Many of the young refugees who have come to enjoy New Zealand’s hospitality have been orphaned; some cannot be sure whether their parents are alive or dead; others have fathers who are fighting democracy’s battles on one or other of the European fronts and whom they have not seen since the outbreak of hostilities over five years ago. The merest understanding of the position in which the Dominion’s new visitors are placed should be sufficient to bring out all that is heartiest in New Zealand’s welcome. The arrangements for their reception and encampment: at PahiaLua, originally made by the Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser, are worthy of the strongest support from the public. There is little doubt that it will be forthcoming. From the account of the party's arrival in Wellington and the description of the settlement to which they are proceeding to-day it would seem that no pains have been spared to ensure the success of the scheme. The temporary migrants have come to us at a good time of the year. The summer sunshine and the abundance of fresh food should go a long way towards eliminating the effects of malnutrition, and plans have been made for the children to continue their education under ideal conditions. Although this is only a fraction of the relief work that will have to be carried out for the benefit of distressed Europeans, it at least represents a start in New Zealand’s effort; and it is a good start.