FREED PRISONERS

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVII, Issue 23215, 31 May 1945, Page 4

FREED PRISONERS

Non-Arrival Of Some In England Assurance To Relatives (N.Z.P.A.) WELLINGTON, May 30. lii a statement to-day, the Acting Prime Minister (the Hon. W. Nash) said he had been informed by the High Commissioner (Mr W. J. Jordan) that* many cabled inquiries had been received in the High Commissioner’s office, London, from next-of-kin asking for information regarding prisoners of war who had not yet arrived in the United Kingdom. Mr Nash said he could understand the concern of relatives regarding their sons, husbands or other relatives. Inquiries were unnecessary, as ail information available concerning prisoners of war is cabled immediately to New Zealand and as soon as it is received here and checked is furnished by Base Records or the service concerned to next-of-kin.

“All prisoners of war are being repatriated as quickly as the available transport capacity allows to the United Kingdom, and it will be seen from an earlier statement I made,” said Mr Nash, “that nearly all our prisoners of war are being transported to England by air. Any delay in the repatriatici of prisoners of war is owing almost entirely to unavoidable transport difficulties. The High Commissioner assures me that there is no need for next-of-kin to feel any special anxiety.” Mr Nash asked that next-of-kin should await the receipt of official information and should not make independent inquiries by cable to the High Commissioner’s office. They had his full assurance that immediately information concerning men was available, it would be conveyed to them by telegraph. Mr Nash added that the great majority of prisoners of war from Stalags 18A and 317 were known to be safe in Allied hands and were commencing to arrive in the United Kingdom. The following air personnel, previously confirmed as prisoners of war, are now reported safe in the United Kingdom. Brown, W.O. Martin Kenneth, Auck-

land. Dunnett. W.O. Eric Gane, Wellington. Flay, Flight Sergeant Geoffrey Alexander, Auckland. Shand, W.O. John Brodv. Denniston. Tacon. Acting-Wing Commander Ernest William, D.S.O D.F.C. and Bar,

A..F.C., Hastings. Pipe. Flight Lieutenant Kenneth Alfred Sidney, D.F.C., Ohinewai.