SWISS NATIONALS

Evening Star, Issue 23377, 21 September 1939, Page 16

SWISS NATIONALS

RECALL FROM DOMINION DENIED (Per Uxited Press Association.| WELLINGTON, September 20. Dr W. Schmid, Consul for Switzerland, states that the report that Swiss nationals in New Zealand are being recalled is incorrect. “ Our Consulate received on September 1 from the Swiss Government a cablegram informing us of the complete mobilisation of the Swiss army,” he said. “ According to this advice all male Swiss citizens subject to military service from the age of 20 to 48, and of any military, rank, were summoned for military service. In addition to Swiss citizens of this category living in Switzerland, Swiss citizens living abroad in certain countries had to answer the call, too. New Zealand, however, nt the present time is not included among the countries from which Swiss citizens have to join the Swiss army. “ If mobilisation orders have since been changed this Consulate would have been the only competent quarter in New Zealand to be in possession of such information.” Dr Schmid added, “ and I may state that no other instructions have been received since the first mobilisation orders made known on September 1. Only in one circumstance are Swiss citizens who Are incorporated in the army legally bound to return to Switzerland from any country in order to join the army—namely, if their military papers are not in order regarding military furlough.”