Post by Dave Homewood on Aug 1, 2019 21:52:18 GMT 12
I was well aware of the number of New Zealanders who were living and working in Asia before the Japanese invasion of various countries resulting in them being detained. But I'd never thought about Kiwis stuck in a similar situation in Europe and especially the Channel Islands. This is from the EVENING POST, 15 APRIL 1941
SOME NEW ZEALANDERS
DETAINED ON CONTINENT
CHANNEL ISLANDS INQUIRIES
(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, March 10.
Between 40 and 50 New Zealanders are known to be in German-occupied territory or in unoccupied France. It is most unlikely that any, even women and children, will be able to leave before the end of the war. Efforts are being made to contact them by New Zealand House, which is communicating with American Embassies and Consulates through the Foreign Office.
Some New Zealanders are believed to be in the Channel Islands, and inquiries for nearly 300 people in the islands have been made by New Zealanders through the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom, Sir Harry Batterbee. These 300 people are not all New Zeaianders, but friends or relatives of people in the Dominion. Nearly 50 per cent, of the names forwarded by Sir Harry Batterbee have been sent on to Geneva to the Red Cross, in the hope that it can make contact. The New Zealand War Services Association paid £10 towards the cost of cabling. These names were not known to the Channel Islands Refugee Committee in London, which can only give information concerning people who evacuated to England.
Inquiries made by New Zealand House for New Zealanders on the Continent through the Foreign Office and the American Embassies do not receive an answer for many months, but on the whole, some satisfaction is being given. The British Red Cross arranges for messages of not more than 30 words being sent to New Zealanders in enemy-occupied territories, with the exception of unoccupied France. Letters and telegrams can be sent to unoccupied France in the ordinary way, but their transit is often painfully slow.
REMITTANCES.
No money or remittances can be sent to New Zealanders in German-occupied territories, but an arrangement has been made by which the United States authorities in the various countries will pay £10 monthly to New Zealanders in those territories, and £12 12s monthly to those in unoccupied France. The money is recovered through the New Zealand Government. There is no possibility at present of sending money to people in the Channel Islands.
Only women and children, men over the age of 50, or youths under 18 have an opportunity of leaving unoccupied France now. Even this is a theoretical chance. Months are required before permission can be received from the French Government.
The only route to England is via Lisbon, and both Spanish and Portuguese visas have to be secured. The Portuguese require evidence that the passage is pre-paid from Lisbon to England, and the Spanish will not grant a visa until the Portuguese visa is produced.
Among the New Zealanders known to be on the Continent are Mr. A. G. Smith (Palmerston North), a civilian prisoner of war in Godewaersvelde, on the Franco-Belgian border; Miss May Barron (formerly of Dunedin), in Copenhagen; Mr. Peter Wilson and family (Whakatane), in Holland; Mrs. M. Sarfati and children (Pahiatua), in Gironde (France); Miss A. Blakeway (Christchurch), in Paris; Miss Leita Gibb (Te Puke), in Paris; Miss G. Fisher (Christchurch), in Angers; Miss O. Marks, in Paris; Miss Margaret P. Reid (Auckland), in Sarthe (Southern France); Miss Catherine Dow (Auckland), in Monte Carlo.
KEEPING CONTACT.
In addition to endeavouring to make contact with these and other New Zealanders, New Zealand House has also taken over the work of keeping contact with New Zealanders who are prisoners of war. There are now some 30 Royal Air Force men and about seven who were in the Imperial Forces. Next-of-kin are allowed to send one parcel every quarter through the Red Cross. The New Zealand War Services Association is also sending regular parcels through the Red Cross. Arrangements are being made for forwarding cigarettes, tobacco, and games.
SOME NEW ZEALANDERS
DETAINED ON CONTINENT
CHANNEL ISLANDS INQUIRIES
(From "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, March 10.
Between 40 and 50 New Zealanders are known to be in German-occupied territory or in unoccupied France. It is most unlikely that any, even women and children, will be able to leave before the end of the war. Efforts are being made to contact them by New Zealand House, which is communicating with American Embassies and Consulates through the Foreign Office.
Some New Zealanders are believed to be in the Channel Islands, and inquiries for nearly 300 people in the islands have been made by New Zealanders through the High Commissioner for the United Kingdom, Sir Harry Batterbee. These 300 people are not all New Zeaianders, but friends or relatives of people in the Dominion. Nearly 50 per cent, of the names forwarded by Sir Harry Batterbee have been sent on to Geneva to the Red Cross, in the hope that it can make contact. The New Zealand War Services Association paid £10 towards the cost of cabling. These names were not known to the Channel Islands Refugee Committee in London, which can only give information concerning people who evacuated to England.
Inquiries made by New Zealand House for New Zealanders on the Continent through the Foreign Office and the American Embassies do not receive an answer for many months, but on the whole, some satisfaction is being given. The British Red Cross arranges for messages of not more than 30 words being sent to New Zealanders in enemy-occupied territories, with the exception of unoccupied France. Letters and telegrams can be sent to unoccupied France in the ordinary way, but their transit is often painfully slow.
REMITTANCES.
No money or remittances can be sent to New Zealanders in German-occupied territories, but an arrangement has been made by which the United States authorities in the various countries will pay £10 monthly to New Zealanders in those territories, and £12 12s monthly to those in unoccupied France. The money is recovered through the New Zealand Government. There is no possibility at present of sending money to people in the Channel Islands.
Only women and children, men over the age of 50, or youths under 18 have an opportunity of leaving unoccupied France now. Even this is a theoretical chance. Months are required before permission can be received from the French Government.
The only route to England is via Lisbon, and both Spanish and Portuguese visas have to be secured. The Portuguese require evidence that the passage is pre-paid from Lisbon to England, and the Spanish will not grant a visa until the Portuguese visa is produced.
Among the New Zealanders known to be on the Continent are Mr. A. G. Smith (Palmerston North), a civilian prisoner of war in Godewaersvelde, on the Franco-Belgian border; Miss May Barron (formerly of Dunedin), in Copenhagen; Mr. Peter Wilson and family (Whakatane), in Holland; Mrs. M. Sarfati and children (Pahiatua), in Gironde (France); Miss A. Blakeway (Christchurch), in Paris; Miss Leita Gibb (Te Puke), in Paris; Miss G. Fisher (Christchurch), in Angers; Miss O. Marks, in Paris; Miss Margaret P. Reid (Auckland), in Sarthe (Southern France); Miss Catherine Dow (Auckland), in Monte Carlo.
KEEPING CONTACT.
In addition to endeavouring to make contact with these and other New Zealanders, New Zealand House has also taken over the work of keeping contact with New Zealanders who are prisoners of war. There are now some 30 Royal Air Force men and about seven who were in the Imperial Forces. Next-of-kin are allowed to send one parcel every quarter through the Red Cross. The New Zealand War Services Association is also sending regular parcels through the Red Cross. Arrangements are being made for forwarding cigarettes, tobacco, and games.
