THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS FRIDAY, JULY 8, 1938 POLITICAL REFUGEES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23084, 8 July 1938, Page 10

THE New Zealand Herald AND DAILY SOUTHERN CROSS FRIDAY, JULY 8, 1938 POLITICAL REFUGEES

Compassionate people the world over will hope that the international conference now meeting at Evian, on the Lake of Geneva, will accomplish something to make life livable for the outcasts from the intolerance rampant in many countries. A shocking example of the need to find an effective remedy was reported yesterday from Vienna, where "800 Jews and Jewesses have attempted suicide in the last few days, the majority succeeding." They were not yet refugees, all frontiers being closed to them, while their life in Austria was made insupportable. Self-inflicted death was preferable. A while ago these Jews and their racial fellows in Germany, Poland, Hungary and Rumania could nourish the slender hope of escape to Palestine, their modern City of Eefuge. The news this morning shows what a distressful country Palestine has become. Political troubles have compelled the British authorities to reduce Jewish immigration to a minimum quite ineffectual in face of European Jewry's bitter need.' Another exit has therefore been virtually closed. In the more liberal countries, moreover, the authorities are reminded, if they seem to forget, that charity begins at home and that professions or trades are disinclined to admit alien competitors without restrictions. Thus Lord Winterton, speaking at Evian, mentioned that the scope in Britain was limited by unemployment. Yet the Jewish problem is only a small part of the whole terrible business. Of the million refugees in the world to-day, more than half are outcasts from Russia. The next most numerous class comprises the Armenians and then there are the growing groups of Spaniards, Germans, Italians and so on.

No country, however well disposed, could cope with such a large problem single-handed. Collective action is required to distribute the human load. Until recently, however, it seemed certain that the two existing collective agencies sponsored by the League of Nations would be finally abolished at the end of this year. The continuance of the principal one, the. Nansen Office, which has accomplished a vast work on behalf of millions since the war, was obstinately opposed by Russia, because Moscow regarded its White Russian proteges as enemies of the Soviet. Similarly Germany looks with suspicion on the activities of the other chief agency, the German Refugee Commission, and there are fears of Italian objections to her outcasts being succoured. There are now hopes, however, that these narrow national jealousies and suspicions may be overcome by the League's decision two months ago to suppress the separate agencies and establish a single autonomous office to aid refugees of all nationalities and creeds. This decision has removed the chief stumbling block, the Soviet having withdrawn objections to the inclusion of White Russians among those to be aided. It may be hoped that this example may persuade other countries, notably Germany and Italy, to refrain from pursuing political vendettas beyond their frontiers. But even through its new office, the League will not be able to accomplish much without the cooperation of friendly countries. The refugees are bereft of nationality, people literally "without a country," whose chief need is to acquire political and legal status, and such privileges as the rights to employment, to own property, to reside or to travel. No single country could afford to open its doors to all comers in these ways but, if most nations agreed to give limited facilities, the large general problem could be solved with little local disturbance.

To determine what each is willing to undertake is the business of the delegates from 32 countries now assembled at Evian. Agreement is essential, because no country can afford to be more liberal than its fellows and so have to face an embarrassing influx. Unanimity will not be easily achieved, however, for "the matter is one for each Government to decide in the light of local conditions," as the British Prime Minister said in reply to a suggestion that the Imperial and Dominion Governments should formulate a common policy. Mr. Savage agreed with Mr. Chamberlain's statement but it should not be supposed that either Britain or New Zealand proposes to avoid collective action and "pass by on the other side." Both are represented at Evian, seeking with 30 other countries to reach a common basis on which refugees can be helped to re-acquire political status. It would be interesting to know what the New Zealand delegate is empowered to concede, or the Australian delegate fc>r that matter. "The light of local conditions"—shining on unemployment, for instance—is apt to blind us to the despairful urgency of the refugees' plight. Yet if New Zealand is not prepared to do her little bit, if she puts her individual interest beforo the collective effort, if she leaves a larger burden for others to carry or abandons the refugees to their fate, she will betray the colle'ctive principle and Christian humanity. Both she and Australia have laws enabling them to exercise close control on alien immigration and it depends on the Administration as to how these are applied. But the Administration itself depends on public opinion and' it may be hoped that the people, bearing in mind the bitter fate that has overtaken a million of their fellow beings, will not judge too narrowly any share that the Government may decide to take in alleviation. After all, English history proves that refugees often bring talent and riches to their new country..