WAR PRISONERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25053, 17 November 1944, Page 6

WAR PRISONERS

CARE WHEN RELEASED

ALL ARRANGEMENTS MADE (0.C.) WELLINGTON. Thursday

Details of the scheme for the reception in the United Kingdom of released New Zealand prisoners of war arc given in a statement b3' the Minister of Defence, Mr Jones. Since January, 1942, he says, tho New Zealand Government has been in touch with the United Kingdom authorities in connection with the repatriation of prisoners. Provision for the establishment of reception camps for Army prisoners of war is made under the arrangements, as shipping will probably be uncertain, and the men may have to remain in England for some time. Action Alter Armistice Immediately an armistice with Germany has bocn declared, says tho Minister, officers already selected will be sont direct to each prisoner-of-war camp on tho Continent to get in touch with Now Zoalanders there and pass on information and instructions regarding their repatriation. A special arrangement provides for prisoners in camps in eastern Germany and Poland, which are likely to come into Russian hands. It is stated that tho New Zealand Minister in Moscow, Mr Bos well, has already been in touch with the Russian authorities and with the' British Military Mission in Moscow, with tho object of watching the welfare of men in these camps and arranging for their repatriation to Britain. Accommodation of Airmen New Zealand airmen prisoners will bo catered for on arrival m the United Kingdom under arrangements made by Air-Commodore E. G. Olson, Air Officer Commanding R.N.Z.A.F. Headquarters, London. It has been arranged to accommodate them with Royal Air Force units instead of sending them to reception camps. "As thero are only threo officers and seven ratings of the Royal New Zealand Navy who are prisoners of war in Germany, a separate organisation will not bo set up in tho United Kingdom for their reception," states tho Minister. "They will be attended to by the Royal Navy, in conjunction with tho New Zealand Naval Affairs Officer on tho staff of tho High Commissioner for Now Zealand, and the >- New Zealand Naval Liaison Officer in London." New Uniforms and Leave As soon as possible after arrival in the United Kingdom all prisoners of war will be fitted out with a new uniform and clothing and be given necessary medical and dental attention. They will then be given 28 days' leave on full pay and allowances, including subsistence allowance of 4s 6d a day, with a free return rail pass to any nominated town in the United Kingdom. If their stay in Great Britain is prolonged, owing to a Jack of shipping, they will also be allowed to take some portion of their overseas leave there, with a further free rail pass. Major-General H. K. Kippenberger, D.5.0., will command the New Zealand Prisoner of War Reception Group. This group, which will be controlled by the Commandant and his staff under Army Headquarters in New Zealand, represented by Brigadier R. S. Park, will comprise group headquarters, camps, varying in number according to the number of prisoners of war in England at the time, camp hospitals, dental I sections, pay office, records office, postal office, and welfare services, including chaplains, Army educational and rehabilitation officers and National Patriotic Fund Board and Y.M.C.A. representatives. No Civilian Clothing Special attention is being paid to medical and dental requirements and to the various welfare services. Brigadier J. M. Twigg has been appointed assistant-director of tho rnddical service of the group, and the senior Army educational and rehabilitation officers are Major W. R. Alexander, Captain W. Moffat and Captain R. Morrison. Major S. C. Read, formerly a chaplain with the Second Division, will represent the National Patriotic Fund Board, and has made arrangements for tho supply of sports gear, cigarettes and tobacco. "As prisoners of war will be required to wear military uniform, next-of-kin should not send civilian clothing to England," states tho Minister. All arrangements have been made for'tho supply ; of necessary clothing. Battledress, boots and Now Zealand service hats have boon sent from the Dominion, all other items being available in tho United Kingdom. A grant of £IO,OOO for immediate nse in the provision of amenities, entertainment and organised tours for our men on their arrival in England has been made by the New Zealand Government.

CONTAINER CHARGES THE RETAIL FRUITERERS OBJECTION TO PROPOSAL Complete Jack of unanimity characterised a conference held in Wellington on Tuesday to discuss the Government's proposal to introduce charges for fruit and vegetable containers, according to the secretary of the Auckland Retail Fruiterers' Association, Mr C. C. King, who addressed a mass meeting of retailers at the City Markets last night, following _ his return from Wellington. The president of the association, Mr J. S. Hoe, presided. The conference, said Mr King, lasted for about seven hours and was then adjourned until next Tuesday, It was attended by representatives of the Internal Marketing Division, the Department of Agriculture, the Price Tribunal, the Fruitgrowers' Federation, brokers and market gardeners. Mr King said that the proposed charges, the introduction of which would bo inevitable, applied to apple, pear, peach, stone fruit and tomato containers and to half-bushel cases, as well as to vegetable sacks and packages. Lemon cases were exempt. It was proposed to charge the retailers 6d each for apple cases, fid for pear cases, 2d for peach trays, 4d for stone fruit and tomato cases, and 4d for half-bushel cases. On reselling the containers, without lids, to a case depot, .the retailers would receive 4d, 3d, Id, 2Jd and 2Jd respectively. "Under the Stabilisation Regulations wo aro entitled to our fair share of profit, and if we received that profit last year wo are entitled to it this year/' stated Mr King, who rend out letters and telegrams from the Gisborne t Wellington. Waikato and Wanganui fruiterers' associations supporting the Auckland association's decision to resist the container charges. He said the Indian fruiterers of Wellington had announced that they were prepared to close their shops for a montl] if necessary as a protest against the imposition. In thanking Mr King for the representations he had made at the conference on behalf of the Auckland association, Mr Roe said 60 per cent of the growers in Auckland did not want the charges. The meeting carried a motion reaffirming the determination of the Auckland retailers to resist the proposed charges. PROPOSED FOREST AREA (0.C.) ROTORUA, Thursday The Rotorna Chamber of Commerce has decided to support the request of a number of other bodies for an independent report on the suitability or otherwise of 12,000 acres of land between Reporoa and Strathmore, which it_ is proposed to proclaim an afforestation area. Mr J. Banks pointed out that some 2-1 years ago the chamber had taken an active part in having a similar proclamation in regard to the Ngakuru settlement lifted, and now there wore 50 farm properties in that area.