ESCAPEES TO SWITZERLAND

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 17 April 1944, Page 2

ESCAPEES TO SWITZERLAND

EDUCATIONAL STUDIES Wellington, This Day. Arrangements have been made by the Governments whereby New Zealand prisoners of war who have escaped to Switzerland may further their studies at Swiss universities. Advice to this efFect has been received by the Prisoners of War .Inquiry Office. Where the circumstances warrant it. the necessary financial assistance is made available through the High Commissioner for New Zealand in London. This covers the cost of the fares to and from the university, the purchase of books and stationery, and also tuition fees up to a maximum of 200 francs monthly. In addition, men who are not commissioned officers will be provided with civilian clothes and their additional subsistence costs, such as payments for board and lodgings, will be met up to an amount not exceeding 300 francs a month. The higher rates of pay received by commissioned officers are adequate to cover the two lastmentioned items withou' any special grant from public funds. The educational facilities will be available to all escaped New Zealand prisoners of war in Switzerland. of whom 91 have been officially notified to date. It will, however, be necessary for the High Commissioner to be assured in respect of each applicant that his general capabilities and aptitude are such as to enable him to derive some real benefit from attendance at a university. During the week another nine New Zealanders who were in Italian prisoner of war camps have been located in prison camps in Germany, leaving a balance of 654 *lill In he accounted for.