WAR PRISONERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24747, 22 November 1943, Page 4

WAR PRISONERS

FAR EAST CONDITIONS TRANSFERS FROM ITALY (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Sunday The Prisoners of War Inquiry office has received advice from tho International Red Cross that Prince Shiiuadzu, who is vice-president of the Jap-, anese Red Cross, journeyed by the Belief ship Teia Maru in order to discuss various pending Red Cross problems covering prisoners of war and civilian internees, and also in regard to the distribution of Rod Cross relief cargoes of foods, medicines, etc. A discussion was to take place with the .Red Cross delegates of Shanghai and Hongkong and with the Japanese Red Cross authorities where there were no international Red Cross delegates functioning.

The Red Cross delegate in Japan advises that correspondence from principal and annexe camps averaged a postcard a* month since May, IHf.'L and that at two of the camps visited three days a month rest was allowed, Prisoners work for eight hours a day and are paid standard rates, with a bonus up to five sen a day for qualified workers. Inquiry headquarters is very anxious to receive copies of letters from Italian camps in August or early in September. The International Red Cross advises that British officers previously in Italy have been transferred to German camps Ofiag XILB at Hadamar, and Oflag V.A at Meinsberg. Prisoners other than officers have been transferred to Stalag VIII.B, Stalag XVIII. A, and Stalag XVIII.C. Even although prisoner of war numbers have been allotted to most of the prisoners coin cerned, the only addresses to be regarded as permanent are'Oflag XI.B, and Stalag VI 11.15. Mail for prisoners located at any of the other camps mentioned should sfil! be addressed care High Commissioner, 415 Strand, London.

PRISONERS IN ITALY HOPE 01'' RELEASE DASHED (0.C.) CHRISTCHURCH, Saturday Officers and men who were prisoners of war in Camp 47 at Modena had high hopes of regaining their liberty when Italy capitulated, but their hopes were short-lived, as the Germans assumed control. This information is contained in a letter written by Lieutenant lan Moir to his wife in Christehurch. It was written on the way to an undisclosed prisoner of war camp in Germany. Lieutenant Moir, who was wounded and taken prisoner at Sidi Rezegh, said they had had to jettison most of their kit while being transferred to Germany, as they were allowed to take only what they could carry on their backs. The journey was described as uncomfortable, but some compensation came from the fact that they saw some beautiful scenery, especially in tho Tyrol and Bavaria.

REPATRIATED MEN £2OOO FOR REI) CROSS (0.C.) WELLINGTON, Saturday The War Purposes Committee of the Joint Council of the Order of St. John and New Zealand Red Cross Society reports that at a social gathering in Egypt of repatriated men from Germany, and as an expression of approval of the services rendered by Rod Cross organisations during their internment, the men voluntarily subscribed £2OOO with a request that their thanks and appreciation bo conveyed to the many subscribers and workers who helped to provide for their relief and sustenance m captivity and thus made their lives a little more pleasant.

EDUCATION SYSTEM

INTERMEDIATE SCHOOLS ADVANTAGES EMPHASISED (P.A.) WANG AN UI. Sunday The advantages oi the intermediate system of education were emphasised when a gathering was held to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the establishment of an intermediate school in Wanganui. The headmaster, Mr, \Y. E. Fossette, told parents that an important aim was character training and citizenship, another point worthy of emphasis being a good grounding in primary school subjects. Nearly 400 pupils attended the intermediate school and practically all of them were at the same .stage of educational development. This enabled the children to he grouped in such a way that all could give of their best without any feeling of superiority or inferiority. This was desirable, because no narrow group of school subjects could provide a basis for estimating the future worth of a child to the community.

Co-operation between parents and teachers was also necessary, said Mr. Fossette. It was desirable that parents and teachers should pool their knowledge when making any decisions affecting a child's future. The intimate knowledge gained at school and records made of individual pupils were available to all parents. The senior inspector of schools, Mr. B. N. T. Blake, also praised the intermediate system, but emphasised that no school could function properly unless there was close co-operation with the home. Becent investigations into child delinquency had disclosed that, although more were expected of the school those in a position to judge were of the opinion Hint: the school could function only as a reinforcement to the home.

NEW ZEALAND ALLIANCE The result of the recent licensing poll was discussed at a special conference hold by the Auckland area of the New Zealand Alliance on Saturday. The president, Mr. F. C. Pace, referred to the result of the poll at lnvereargill, where restoration of licences had been carried by 45 votes. He said he was of the opinion that a careful scrutiny should 1)0 made of the soldiers' votes allocated to lnvereargill. The establishment of a chain of large, up-to-date non-licensed hotels was advocated in an address by the Hev. A. A. Armstrong. Such a scheme would he very acceptable, he considered. The speaker referred to the popular Hotel Canberra, at Brisbane.