Prisoners Of War

Northern Advocate, 26 May 1941, Page 4

Prisoners Of War

ON Saturday many next-of-kin were advised by telegram that their hoys who had taken part in the fighting in Greece are missing.* This notification, which was of a particularly harrowing character to the families which received it, becomes a message of hope when the circumstances in which it was sent are known.

It was announced by the Acting-Prime Minister last evening that a message from Mr. Fraser revealed that 2200 New Zealanders are neither in Crete nor Egypt, and consequently have been posted ns missing in the meantime.

Mr. Fraser expressed the opinion, which was re-echoed by Mr. Nash, that there is good reason to hope that the missing men are largely prisoners of war. It is sincerely to he prayed that this may prove* to be the ease. The truth cannot he learned until Britain receives from Germany a full list of prisoners of war. It is the custom for belligerents to exchange lists of prisoners as soon as it can he conveniently done after a battle, hut, in view of the ferocity of the fighting that took place in Greece, and which is being continued in Crete, it is possible that the Germans have been unable to supply the information required of them under the provisions of international law.

The time of wait ins; constitutes a sore trial to anxious hearts, but the message from the Prime Minister, who is in Egypt at the moment, and therefore able to obtain the views of those who should be in a position to speak with authority, may be regarded as a strong beam of cheer and of hope that it will not he long before the safety of the missing men has been established. Next-of-kin, learning of the large number who are missing, will now he able to read with different emotions the announcement contained in the official telegrams which, so far as they knew at the time, had merely indiv idu a 1 sign ifiea ne e.