REFUGEES ARRIVE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 108, 24 May 1937, Page 7

REFUGEES ARRIVE

Pathetic Groups of Children. (Beceived 24, 11.0 a.m.) LONDON, May 23. Refugee Basque children abOard the Hairana woke this, morning in dock at Southampton. Dr. Maurice Williams, the medical officer abdard, had already exatoined every child and reported that their health wai generally good. The children eujoyed a hearty meal from provisions taken aboard on the vessel's arrival last night. Nearly all were hatlesi and had only the clothes they were wearing, but new clothes axe neady for all,. The most pathetic group was of three little ones whose parents were killed during. the air raid on Bilbao. The refugee children were transported to a camp at North Stoneburn in special vans. MaUy wCfe so long accustomed to at&rvation that they were reluctknl to part with crusts of bread in their pockets, and other wartime habits grupped tbenx, to the extent of ducking when ciickiag news-reel cameras, reminiscent of machine-guns, were pre- * eented in their direction. The 'children, upon arrival at the camp. wero examined. They then sampled the mattresses, huddled themaelvee into blankets and cluBtered ■round the field kitchens as a preliusinary to consuming their flrst English meal. "Oh yes, J haye seen people killed, " gravely said a thirteen-year^old child. •'I once uw slxty dead after an air raid." This ia an example of many ^imilar stories, some recalling the horrors of the retreat from Guerndca.