CZECHOSLOVAK FLAG AND DOCUMENTS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 76, 29 October 1941, Page 2

CZECHOSLOVAK FLAG AND DOCUMENTS

RE I AIM 1) IN Wl I I.INCTON C (INSULATE CF.RMAN DEMAND IGNORED Tlk- statement that the flag and ail i papers in the Czechoslovakian Consu- , late office in Wellington had not been i i handed over to the German consul, as was done in Auckland, was made by j Mr E. ,1. Hyams. Hon. Consul for Czechoslovakia. at ttie gathering held in Wellington last night to celebrate the I 23rd anniversary of the Czechoslovak j Republic. "Regarding the announcement of the handing over of the Czechoslovak flag ! in Auckland, instructions were given by the Consul-General of Czechoslovakia in Australia at that time to hand j over the flag and all papers connected i with the Consulates in New Zealand." ! he said. "Mr llamm, the German Consul, demanded from the Consulate of- ' | flee in Wellington all papers and the flag. This was absolutely refused by ; Mr Wyness. the Acting Consul during [ my absence at the time in England, and the Czechoslovak (lag hanging on the ; wall alongside the British flag in this i room to-night, as you will see. was not * handed over to the German Consul." j i Mr Hyams added that Mr P. Fraser, j who was not then Prime Minister, had ' taken an active part in prcventfng the . handing over of the flag and docu- I rnents. The matter had been referred j ; to him and he had definitely stated that I nothing was to be handed over.