DUTCH EVACUEES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26040, 2 January 1946, Page 6

DUTCH EVACUEES

ARRIVAL THIS MONTH PLANS FOR ACCOMMODATION Approximately 1000 Dutch evacuees from Java will arrive in New Zealand about the middle of this month, and of that number between 200 and 300 will come to Dunedin and the surrounding districts. The task of arranging temporary billeting for the refugees and for their more permanent accommodation is being carried out by the Netherlands Indies Welfare Organisation, which has the arrangements well in hand. The officer-in-charge in the South Island, Captain J. Schoon, said on Monday that the Salvation Army Home at Waverley, which was eminently fitted for the purpose, had been placed at his disposal. The defence authorities had agreed to the organisation taking over a camp at Tomahawk, and it was hoped to have both establishments ready for occupation by the time the evacuees arrived. The organisation’s billeting officer, Mr N. G. Menzies, had made provisional arrangements to accommodate 40 evacuees at Warrington and Waikouaiti. -

“Some difficulty will be experienced,” Captain Schoon said “in arranging temporary accommodation for the first week or so until the evacuees have been sent to their various destinations throughout Otago. The Netherlands Government has made ample financial provision., so that monetary assistance is not required by the organisation, but owing to the difficulty of obtaining temporary accommodation I would be grateful if any citizens who desire to assist in this respect will write to Box 741, Dunedin. The evacuees have suffered and are still suffering terrible privations as a result of the events of the past few years, and they will arrive in New Zealand suffering from the effects of malnutrition and the rough handling they have received from the Japanese, They have lost their homes, all their private possessions and personal belongings. Many of the young children have been born in internment camps and as yet have no conception of the most precious of man’s possessions—freedom.

“I would be deeply grateful, therefore,” he added, “if gifts of toys, games and clothing, particularly children’s' clothing, can be made. These may be left at Messrs Arthur Barnett’s and Messrs Brown. Ewing, and Company.” Expressing his gratitude to the Mayors of Dunedin and Invercargill, and to all bodies and organisations, as well as the citizens of both cities, for the assistance that had been given, Captain Schoon said that Littlebourne House had been placed at the organisation’s disposal by the City Council and his headquarters would be established there. Telephones would be installed by next Monday, the telephone numbers being 21-045, 21-114, and 21-188.