TRACING N.Z. PEOPLE IN THE EAST

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 263, 7 November 1945, Page 4

TRACING N.Z. PEOPLE IN THE EAST

THE TASK IS FINISHED PRESBYTERIAN MEDICAL MISSIONARY NOT FOUND (P.A.) Auckland, Nov. 6. The work of tracing and for the repatriation of New Zealand nationals in the East has been completed, said Brigadier G. H. Clifton, D.S.O., M.C., on his return to Auckland by flying-boat from Sydney. Brigadier Clifton has been engaged, in liaison with American and Australian officials, on the tracing and repatriating of New Zealanders interned by Japanese, and other nationals who wished to travel to New Zealand. Most had left the East now, although there were several still to come.

An outstanding New Zealand personality in China was. Miss Annie James medical missionary of New Zealand Presbyterian Mission, said Brigadier Ciifton. When tne Japanese captured Hongkong. Miss James joined a band of Chinese guerillas in the area and remained with them as the only medical representative for three years. She did marvellous work and the Americans recognised the value of it by dropping medical am. other supplies for her from the air.

"During thje war," the brigadier added, "she refused to leave China and wants to carry on with her medical and mission work. In fact, that is true of nearly all the missionaries whom we found. “The health and general condition of New Zealand nationals in the occupied countries of the East was generally about 10 per cent, better than the health of other nationals," said Brigadier Clifton. “The only way I can account for that is that the New Zealanders use their heads and show more initiative in looking after themselves than many other races."

He added that It did not matter what camp or area one went to one found either New Zealanders or Australians running the show and making a jolly good job of it. A former Aucklander, E. S. Adams, xvho before the war was employed In Shanghai, for a long time ran an extensive black market over the fence of an Internment camp to feed and clothe the prisoners better, said the brigadier. In the end, he and his helners, including his servant and several Chinese friends, were caught out by the Japanese. They were rounded up and Adams was imprisoned in a gaol full of Chinese coolies. For three months he had a tough time. The work of tracing and repatriating the Internees went very smoothly, and the utmost co-operation was practised among the various representatives in the area.

Brigadier Clifton said someone had shown very good sense In appointing an American colonel who had been stationed in Australia, to work in liaison with Australian and American officials. They did a great job and between them repatriated about 30,000 people.