PRISONERS OF WAR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 134, 1 March 1919, Page 7

PRISONERS OF WAR

INTERNED GERMANS NOT PAMPERED STATEMENT BY DEFENCE MINISTER I Tho Minister of Defence stated yesterday that a report published in certain newspnpeva that German prisoners or war at Motuilii Island, had been supplied with whisky, eggs and fresh fruit, other than by orders of a medical oihj cer, was "absolutely contrary to .fact. The prisoners had not received auy special concessions oi v the kind indicated. "There are only live prisoners of war in New Zealand who are entitled to purchase spirits, wines, and ale, in accordance witli instructions laid down by the Army Council," said tho Minister. "These officers have been permitted to purchase such refreshment' in strictly ■limited: quantities." On iio day was a prisoner of war allowed to receive moro than one Imperial' pint bottle of beer, and 'spirits were only issued to the prisoners from their own purchases in such quantities 'as the' medical officer certified to. Green peas, beet, and carrots were 1 cerlainlv not supplied to the prisoners of 'war 'if they were not supplied to tho soldiers in the New Zealand Expeditioniii'v •Force who were in camp at Narrow Neck. At' tho-'same time the pris : oners of,,war have grown large quantities of vegetables for their own use in small allotments in ( .the -internment camp. ■ , ■The sciilo of rations for prisoners of war is slightly under that for the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. Officer prisoners, of war, roserve. officers, and. others possessing, private means are permitted .to. inaki. whatever purchases they may desire in the way of food to supplement the food ration. r Here again,, this privilege is conferred. by instructions issued by-: the. Aimy Council," and- the nameci of prisoners of war interned in New-Zealand entitled to same liavo been supplied by the Army Council -in accordance with an agreement entered into between the British-.and German Governments: The statements which have ap-' peared in many of the newspapers in New Zealand in regard to the favourable treatment meted out.to the German prisoners..of war at-Motuihi are regarded, by-'the Minister as entirely misleading..