WAR PRISONERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25514, 19 April 1944, Page 6

WAR PRISONERS

UNIVERSITY STUDIES IN SWITZERLAND The Prisoners-of-war Inquiry Office Headquarters has been advised that arrangements have been made by t'he Government by which New Zealand prisoners of war wlio have escaped to Switzerland may further their studies at Swiss universities. Where the circumstances warrant it, the necessary financial assistance is made available through the High Commissioner for New Zealand in London, Mr W ‘J. Jordan. This covers the cost of the fares to and from the university, the purchase of "books and stationery, and also the tuition fees up to a maximum of 200 francs a month. In addition, men who are not' commissioned officers will be provided with civilian clothes and their additional subsistence costs, such as payments for board and lodgings, will be met to an amount not exceeding 300 francs a month. The higher rates of pay received by commissioned officers are adeouate t'o cover the two last-mentioned items without any special grant from public funds. These educational facilities will be available to all escaped New Zealand prisoners of war in Switzerland, of whom 91 have been officially notified to date. It will, however, be necessary for the High Commissioner to be assured in respect; of eacli applicant that his general capabilities and aptitude are such as to enable him t'o derive some real benefit from attendance at a university. During last week another nine New Zealanders who were in Italian prisoner-of-war camps have been located in prison camps in Germany, leaving a balance of 654 still to be accounted for.