GERMAN REFUGEES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23951, 28 October 1939, Page 9

GERMAN REFUGEES

ro THE EDITOR Sir, —The Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association seems quite unable to distinguish between Germans who are Nazis and German Jews, who, as we all know, have been subjected to most brutal treatment by the Nazis, because of which many refugees are now in New Zealand. I may state that practically 100 per cent, of the German and Austrian refugees now in New Zealand are Jews. These men and women are mostly people of good education —some of exceptionally good education —and they are in New Zealand with the consent of our Government and under the protection of our flag, and are free to enjoy their freedom. Many of these refugees have been subjected to most brutal and shocking treatment by the Nazis, including their being robbed of their possessions and their suffering periods of imprisonment in internment camps in Germany and Austria. Let me tell the Dunedin Returned Soldiers’ Association that no more bitter enemies of the Nazis exist in the world than the refugees in New Zealand. I agree that Nazi-inclined Germans should be interned, but the suggestion to intern any Jewish refugees is what one would expect from Nazis, and not from New Zealanders. I am a member of a Jewish refugee committee, though I am not Jewish, and myself and my fellow-members resent very much the suggestions of certain members of the Dunedin R.S.A. that all Germans should be interned. It is intolerance like this, coupled with concentration camns and other horrors, that have made the Nazis the most brutal people in the world to-day. and it comes as a shock to think that here in New Zealand we have men who apparently think along almost similar lines. —I am, etc., .303. Christchurch, October 26.