MEN FROM GERMANY

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25203, 16 May 1945, Page 8

MEN FROM GERMANY

QUrCK TRANSIT PLANS. VISIT BY MR HOLLAND (P.A. Special Correspondent) LONDON, May 14 The New Zealand High Commissioner, Mr W. J. Jordan, the Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland, and Mr F. W. Doidge, M.P., today visited New Zealand prisoners of war who have been freed and .saw on the Continent excellent methods of receiving men and sending them on to England. They also saw the prisoners of war camp •at Fallingbostel, in Germany, where 115 New Zealanders spent several years in captivity under bad conditions and where i2OO British troops had to live in a marquee for njne months with only straw for bedding. On Brussels airfield the visitors saw streams of four-engined bombers taking loads of 24 men each to England and watched Dakotas bringing more in from forward areas. In three weeks at this one airfield 40,000 men have been received and forwarded. On the day oif the visit just over 7000 more came in and 6000 went on to England. The visitors saw men being taken by transport to transit camps inside Brussels and at these camps they watched them enjoying their first taste of liberty. Usually the period for the stay in Brussels is one night. They sleep in hostels which are run sby the, Belgian Red Cross. They can also rest in the brightly-decorated Y.M.C.A. rooms, where fresh flowers on cloth-covered tables create a vastly different atmosphere from the bare boards of prisoner of war camps. Here they can write letters and buy small presents for relatives and friends in England—perfumes, powder and children's toys. The majority of the New Zealanders had all been on long marches before they were liberated. They were tired and some admitted that thev were not feeling "too Bright," but all were in high spirits. New Zealand officers are posted with various Army groups on the Continent to see that arrangements go smoothly for these men. They are all part of an efficient chain. REFRESHER COURSES ARRANGEMENTS IN ENGLAND (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Tuesday A special committee has been set up in England to deal with the educational rehabilitation of New Zealand prisoners of war, the Minister of Rehabilitation, Mr Skinner, said today. Major-General Kippenherger and Mr R. M. Campbell, secretary to the High Commissioner for New Zealand in London, Mr Jordan, represented the Rehabilitation Board on this committee. Arrangements have been made with the British universities for Now Zealand personnel to take short courses at these centres of learning, said the Minister. It was also hoped that it would be possible to make arrangements with certain trade firms to provide refresher courses for men awaiting a passage home. The Minister said many prisoners had been cut off from their own country for four years, and. it would take tjiem some time to bring themselves up to date, so that they would be in a position to join in the discussions of their more fortunate comrades. It had been found that a released prisoner's progress depended on how rapidly he secured sufficient information to enable him to take part in conversation about current matters with his friends—and later with his family. 4 NURSES' CHAPEL (0.C.) HAMILTON, Tuesday A successful street appeal was made in Hamilton today on behalf of the Waikato Hospital Nurses' Memorial Chapel Fund. Over £360 was contributed.