GRATITUDE FOR N.Z. HELP

Grey River Argus, 17 May 1946, Page 5

GRATITUDE FOR N.Z. HELP

To War Prisoners and

Internees

MESSAGE FROM ADMIRAL

FRASER.

P.A. WELLINGTON, May 1& A message of the warmest giatitude for the welcome extended in New Zealand to personnel released from Japanese prisoner of war and l‘nter ) nmeni. camps at the end of the Pacific war has been received’ from Admiral Sir Bruce Fraser, Com-mander-in-Chief of the British Pacific Fleet, who states: "The sudden end of the war with Japan gave rise to many problems, foremost amongst which was the recovery and repatriation of Allied prisoners of war and internees.

“The shortage of shipping was ■acute and prevented repatriation ■direct to England, yet it was essential that seriously ill prisoners of war and internees should’ reach a temperate climate. At very short notice the New Zealand Government agreed to accept up to one thousand of the most serious cases, and from all reports it was abundantly clear that all these people were given the utmost care and attention, and wherever possible had been nursed back to good health. Now that all, save very few have been able to be repatriated, I would’ be grateful it the New Zealand Naval Board would convey my sincere gratitude to all authorities in New 7 Zealand who have given such practical effect to the spontaneous welcome, and the cooperation extended to sick prisoners of war and internees by the New Zealand Government.” The Prime Minister, Mr. Fraser,, has replied as follows: “On behalf of the people and’ the Government of New 7 Zealand, I thank you for your message of appreciation for the attention given in this country to sick prisoners of war and internees evacuated from Japanese-occupied territory. What we did was our plain duty. I can assure you assistance was given with glad hearts and that our people in New 7 Zealand were only too pleased to share their abundance with those who had suffered so much. I would like to take this opportunity on the occasion of your relinquishing your command, to extend my warmest good wishes and to say how greatly I valued our pleasant association with you personally.”