No Organised Exodus Of Northland Yugoslavs

Northern Advocate, 6 October 1947, Page 7

No Organised Exodus Of Northland Yugoslavs

(Special) KAITAIA, This Day. NO official notification of an appeal for Yugoslavs in New Zealand to return to their European homeland has been received by members of the Yugoslav Association in the Fai Noith.

Consensus of opinion given in interviews with prominent members ol Yugoslav circles here is that any return or exodus from New Zealand is in keeping with normal events. A number of Yugoslavs from the Kaitaia district and further North have already left or are arranging to return to Europe when transport conditions allow. The majority of these are of an older generation, who have spent their working lifetime in this country, bul whose families are still awaiting theii return to the homeland. Many of these may settle in Yugoslavia, but others may elect to return to this country. The shortage of manpower in Yugoslavia to extend and develop transport and industrial resources is recognised among those living in Northland. However, nothing which could be construed as an appeal to return has been made among Far North Yugoslav residents, either by their own newspapers or by other means. It is admitted that those travelling to Europe may be fairly numerous, but it is also pointed out that many such journeys were delayed during the war years.