THE NEW ZEALAND DESERTER

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume VI, Issue 263, 23 October 1916, Page 2

THE NEW ZEALAND DESERTER

AN APPEAL THAT FAILED. Writing under date London, September isth, the special correspondent of the Christthuteh Evening News” says:— . , Some weeks ago I sent out particulars of the treachery of a New Zealand soldier—happily of alien birth—who escaped from our front line trenches to those of the enemy and gave information which led to a rather disastrous bombardment of our headquarters and trenches. The traitor, as 1 suppose i« well known in New Zealand ridw, Was from the Wairarapa: and it was supposed that he bad weighed the costs and decided that he could bo happy for the rest of bis life amongst the Teutons from whom one of bis parents bad sprung. But evidently all this was not so well thought out.

AVithin the last day or two the High Commissioner’s office has received more names of New Zealanders who have had the misfortune to become prisoners in German hands. Whenever such information leaks through to the War Office, through several different channels, it- is transmitted without comment to the unit or the oversea High Commissioner interested, in order that they may put their records right and also look after the welfare of the captives as much as possible. The name' that came through this week was simply ‘’'Carterton,” described as of the “New Zealand Infantry.” Private “Carterton” stood a very good chance of having comforts sent to him in due course' at the expense of the New Zealand Government; but unfortunately for him the High Commissioner’s Office, in a perfectly natural manner, se/it to the New Zealand Headquarters to ascertain the full name, rank and unit of “Mr. Carterton.” He could not be traced at all.

Evpn tins might not have been considered a proper ground for withholding help if it were needed ; but unfortunately again for the captive the High Commissioner’s officer received an intimation the same afternoon from the Prisoners of War Help Bureau that help was sought’ for a New Zealander called who was interned at a certain camp of prisoners of war in Germany. AVhat will happen now remains to be seen. The matter will, of course, be referred to the New Zealand Government for a decision.

In the meantime it is interesting to find that the ex-resident of Carterton, who had expected some sort of hospitality in his fatherland, is being treated there not as a guest at all, but evidently as a common British prisoner of war; so his outlook for deceit amenities is not brilliant.