Germans From Samoa Interned In N.Z.

Northern Advocate, 29 November 1939, Page 3

Germans From Samoa Interned In N.Z.

[Per Press Association. —Copyright"]

WELLINGTON, This Day

As a protective measure, 15 German nationals have been bt ought from the mandated territory of Western Samoa for internment in New Zealand.

“After consultation with the Acting Administrator of Western Samoa.” said the Minister of External Affairs (Mr Langstone) last night, “the Government decided that from the point of view of the safety of the territory it was better to remove these German internees to New Zealand.

Nazi Chiefs,

“Included among the internees,” Mr Langstone explained, “are the former president and former secretary of the Samoan branch of the Nazi Party, a local organisation which was dissolved in the early part of 1939. “There is also a German school teacher, who recently arrived in Western Samoa, where he opened a German school.

“Several other internees are of partSamoan blood, of whom some received their education in Germany, and some saw service in the German army or

navy. “The utmost consideration has been given to their comfort, and to their social needs, and special arrangements have been made to mitigate the effect of the colder climate of New Zealand on their physical well-being. “The period of their internment will be indefinite, and at a later date consideration will be given to the question of releasing them on parole or returning them to their homes.”