CZECH REFUGEES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 20 October 1938, Page 8

CZECH REFUGEES

DEPUTATION INTERVIEWS LORD HALIFAX IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE URGED. BRITAIN & THE DOMINIONS. (Received This Day, 11.50 a.m.) ' RUGBY, October 19. Representations regarding refugees in Czechoslovakia have been made to the British Government by a number of interested bodies and persons in recent weeks. Today a deputation under the auspices of the National Council for Civil Liberties, including Miss Eleanor Rathbone, M.P., Sir Norman Angell, Sir John Hope Simpson and Mr H. G. Wells was received by the Foreign Minister, Viscount Halifax. Miss Rathbone and Sir J. Hope Simpson, as spokesmen for the deputation, pressed upon Lord Halifax the imperative need that the British and Dominion Governments should make immediate arrangements for removing large numbers of refugees from Czechoslovakia, with adequate financial provision for largescale schemes of settlement. Lord Halifax said Britain was doing everything in its power to deal with this difficult problem and he promised that the views of the deputation would receive his careful consideration. It is known that the matter is already under discussion between the British Government and the Dornin-' ions, and as far as Britain is concerned it is understood that it will be prepared in the case of those refugees who are stated to be in particular danger, to facilitate the entry of a limited number into Britain, provided suitable arrangements can be made for their reception and support. Statements have been in circulation that German has demanded in Prague a return to the jurisdiction of Germany of escaping Sudeten German refugees, and also that .Czechoslovakia independently has been compelling German refugees from Sudetenland to turn back across the frontier. A formal denial by the Government concerned of the truth of eacrf of these statements has been communicated to Britain. SOUTH AFRICAN MOVE ACCEPTANCE OF SKILLED CRAFTSMEN. (Received This Day, 1.5 p.m.) PRAGUE, October 19. South Africa is anxious to transplant certain Sudeten industries to Africa, and is'sending agents to secure Czech skilled craftsmen in these industries, and is willing to provide the necessary capital. Czech life is returning to normal. Increased withdrawals from the banks are being allowed. Britain has agreed in the first place to accept 250 Sudeten refugees, France 200 and Scandinavia one hundred, with reference to those threatened with, execution or with long sentences in Germany. HITLER AT LINZ VISITING SUDETEN AREA (Received This Day, 1.5 p.m.) Hen- Hitler has arrived at Linz. It is understood that he is to visit the Sudeten area, bordering Austria on October 20.