INTERNED GERMANS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 173, 16 April 1919, Page 6

INTERNED GERMANS

ARRANGEMENTS FOR REPATRIATION. Arrangements are now being completed for the departure from New Zealand of the interned Germans whose repatriation was ordered some months ajgo. There are. 100 of these men, comprising captured naval men, some officials, and a few Germa i civilians who have expressed a wish to be returned to theiv own country. They were to have left the Dominion earlv in the year, but the ship that lad been assigned for their transport, was required for othor duty, and their departure was postponed. _. The Germans probably will leave New Zealand before the end of this month. Thev are to proceed to Germany v.a Australia, and it is understood that 'liey will accompany a large'body of Germane at present interned in the Commonwealth. The Australian Government, like the New Zealand Government, has been anxious to get rid of the prisoners, litt his been hampered in making arrangements by the shortage of shipping. _ Some Wellington people were surprised yesterday to encounter an obvious German, who was intent upon his own business about the city. His sneech betrayed his nationality at once. This man, by consent of the military' authorities, was hying to settle some private business before leaving New Zealand. The Imperial Government has directed that the Mrmans should be given reasonable facilities for closing up their private affairs in the Dominions before they are repatriated, and it has been found that the rien cannot arrange matters while they are held in the internment camps. Some New Zealand people appear have an idea, that they need not (Mioharge debts to enemy subjects who r.nvo been interned. Some of the interned Germans' had business connections in New Zealand before the war, and thev find great difficulty in securing money that is owing to them. It appears that thoy can overcome the difficulty by puttine their affairs in the hands of the Public Trustee, who will see that justice is done.