Displaced Persons Tired Of Being Called “These People”

Wanganui Chronicle, 3 November 1949, Page 4

Displaced Persons Tired Of Being Called “These People”

Miss A. Louise Burton, national general secretary of the Y.W.C.A., was the guest speaker at the international afternoon, held this week at the Y.W.C.A, Miss Burton travelled to the displaced persons' camp at Pahiatua with the first draft to arrive from Europe in the Dunkirk Bay in July and spent several months in the camp. In the course of an adress she stated that more than anything else displaced persons from Europe, who had come to New Zealand to build a new future as Government-sponsored settlers longed to be regarded as individuals, rather than as an index number or part of a group or draft. They were tired of being called "these people.” Commenting on their cultural background, the speaker said that any country to which they go stands to gain as well as give. "The life of New Zealand can and will be enriched because these people have come here,” she added. The language problem was one of the barriers to complete understanding between those in the camp and New Zealanders. There were nine different nationalities there. Another barrier was that of suspicion and distrust, and this was understandable when one realised their experiences, said Miss Burton. She asked for patience and understanding from any who came in contact with the settlers and help in making them feel at home.