MAY JOIN ALLIES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 231, 30 September 1943, Page 5

MAY JOIN ALLIES

N.Z. PRISONERS IN ITALY (Special Corre?tf>ondent- N.Z.T.A.) Rood. 6 p.m. London, Sept. 28. General Carton de Wiart, V.C., who figured in the Italian armistice talks after being a prisoner of war for two years, called on Mr. W. .1. Jordan. High Commissioner, and recalled being a prisoner with Brigadier Hargest and Brigadier Miles, and Bishop Gerard. He told Mr. Jordan that no had the highest regard for them, and referred to Brigadier Hargest affectionately as “Old Jim.” General de Wiart also recalled associations with other New Zealanders, including Lieutenant-Colonel Arthur Porritt and P. S. Falla, a son of Brigadier N. S. Falla. He met P. S. Falla, who®is a diplomatic service member in the war. He saw him prior to his capture early In the war. Upon hearing this Mr. Jordan telephoned Brigadier Falla, who called at New Zealand House and met General de Wiart, who told him his son was now in Teheran. General de Wiart was interested to learn that Brigadier Hargest had been returned unopposed at the general election, and that. Mt. Jordan had cabled Brigadier Hargest the election results to Switzerland. General de Wiart said he could guess the present position of New Zealanders who were prisoners of war in Italy. He imagined that when the Italians opened the camps t-iose who were fit. would probably make every effort to link up with the Allied forces, probably aided by Italians.