EXCHANGED PRISONERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 May 1944, Page 2

EXCHANGED PRISONERS

58 NEW ZEALANDERS IN LATEST PARTY

GOVERNMENT MESSAGE

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, This Day,

According to information received from London, the Acting-Prime Minister (Mr Sullivan) stated last evening, the party of British prisoners of war recently exchanged at Barcelona includes 58 New Zealand sick and wounded and protected personnel. The men concerned are now en route to'the Middle East. It is expected that full particulars will be cabled to New Zealand shortly, and immediately these are received advice will be sent to next-of-kin.

The following message has been dispatched to the men on behalf of the Government for delivery to them on their arrival in the Middle East:: — “The Government and people of New Zealand are most gratified to hear of your safe arrival in the Middle East. We trust that we shall soon be able to welcome you back to your own country and that the final overthrow of the Axis Powers in Europe which is now fast approaching will enable your comrades who are still imprisoned to join you here. We are confident that till the day arrives, they will, like you, remain steadfast in courage and hope.”