2200 MEN FROM N.Z. MISSING

Southland Times, Issue 24444, 26 May 1941, Page 4

2200 MEN FROM N.Z. MISSING

CAMPAIGN IN GREECE SOME MAY YET REACH FRIENDLY SHORES

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 25. An announcement that he had received a message today from the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. P. Fraser, stating that as a result of the Greek campaign some 2200 New Zealanders were missing was made by the acting Prime Minister, the Hon. W. Nash, in an address tonight. Mr Nash said these men were not either in Crete or in Egypt and the Government was fairly reliably informed that for the most part they must be assumed to be prisoners of war.

Mr Nash said the next of kin of some of these men classified as missing had been notified today. The next of kin were being notified as soon as it was possible to get the information and have it sent to them. More information about those now classified as missing might come to hand later and the next of kin and the relations _of the men concerned would be advised of this. Though these men were now reported missing, it was well to remember that there was quite a lot of hope that some might yet reach shores under the control of Britain or Greece, for only today it was reported how 60 Australians had reached Crete after being on the way for several weeks. ADVICES DISTRIBUTED (P.A.) AUCKLAND, May 25. Advices from the Government to next of kin that soldier relations had been reported as missing were being distributed throughout the week-end. In at least two cases in Auckland official advice that a soldier is missing has followed definite information from the man concerned that he is safe.

This particularly applies in the case of Lieutenant W. J. Southworth, son of Sergeant J. Southworth, of the Queen’s Wharf Police Station. Last ’Thursday Sergeant Southworth received a cablegram from his son stating: “Safe at last. Fit and well.” On Saturday Sergeant Southworth received an official intimation from the Government that Lieutenant Southworth had been reported missing.