CONTRIBUTION TO VICTORY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26185, 22 June 1946, Page 8

CONTRIBUTION TO VICTORY

"The objections raised against the continued presence of refugees in New Zealand are very petty indeed,” states an editorial in the Outlook, referring to “ the contribution many of these men have made to the cause of victory for the United Nations.” “We have shared in the victories which refugees helped to make possible,” adds the editorial. “Thev owe us something, it is true, for in their hour of need we gave them refuge, but the debt is not all on their side. When the tale is told o f their presence with us it should be told in full and credit given for help received. • " Our chief concern, however, with the attempt to pillory the refugees is that it reveals the very spirit of intolerance against which we fought in the bitter, dangerous years of war. The history of our nation and of our Mother Country owes much to refugees and their descendants in every Feneration. We have much to gain from as well as to give to the strangers within our gates.”