NURSES FOR SPAIN

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 443, 26 May 1937, Page 5

NURSES FOR SPAIN

POLICE QUESTIONING Exception To Certain Phases Press Association —Copyright. Auckland, May 25. Exception to certain phases of the police interrogation of three nurses from New Zealand who are on their way to Spain under the auspices of the New Zealand Spanish Medical Aid has been taken by the Auckland Spanish Medical Assistance Committee. An inquiry into the position is being urged by the committee, which has cabled to Sydney for statements from the nurses about the exact nature of the police examination. No exception was taken to the action of the police in acting on the instructions of the Minister of Internal Affairs. Hon. W. E. Parry, and asking for the nurses’ credentials. The committee in a statement points out that it had been widely advertised that the nurses were going to Spain under the auspices of the Spanish Medical Aid and that the Minister knew this organisation and others were approved by the British Government. However, the committee agreed that it was reasonable for the Minister to have this down in writing. The committee objects to what happened after the police had satisfied themselves of the nurses’ credentials of an association with an organisation approved by the British Government and the presidency of Dr. D. G. McMillan, M.P. The statement adds: “It would seem that after this the police had only to communicate their findings to the passport authorities so that the nurses’ passports might be endorsed. Instead they seem to have cross-examined the nurses individually* for the best part of the afternoon about their political opin-