JAPANESE PRISONERS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 6 January 1943, Page 2

JAPANESE PRISONERS

EMPLOYMENT IN USEFUL WORK STEPS BEING TAKEN BY ARMY AUTHORITIES. CALL MADE FOR INSTRUCTORS (By Telegraph—Press Association.) AUCKLAND, January 5. An Army memorandum which has been circulated to units invites applications from suitably qualified soldiers for the purpose of teaching Japanese prisoners of war certain trades The prisoners, many of whom have been captured in action by American forces, are held in a large New Zealand camp, and the-Minister of Defence (Mr Jones) stated recently that the Government was exploring means of employing hem usefully. The Army memorandum stated that applicants must possess a knowledge of carpentry, furniture making, and concrete work. It is stated that some of the prisoners will be employed on making furniture, floor and roofing tiles and concrete channels. It is added that plans, specification and drawings of methods of assembly will be available.

Employment of prisoners of war by the detaining Power is governed by a section of the Geneva Covention. It states that belligerants may employ as workmen prisoners of war who are physically fit, other than officers and persons of equivalent status according to their rank and ability. Officers and persons of equivalent status may be found suitable work if they ask for it. ( Non-commissioned officers may be compelled to undertake only supervisory work unless they expressly request remunerative occupation. No prisoner may be employed on work for which he is physically unsuited. It is also laid down by the convention that the duration of the daily work of the prisoners, including the time of the journey to and from work, shall not be excessive, and shall in no case exceed that permitted for civil workers of the locality employed on the same work. Each prisoner must be allowed a rest of 24 consecutive hours each week, preferably on Sunday. The convention prohibits the employment of prisoners on work with direct connexion with the operations of the war. In particular , it is forbidden to employ them in the manufacture or transport of arms and munitions of any kind, or on the transport of material destined for combatant units.

It is forbidden to employ prisoners on unhealthy or dangerous work, and conditions of work shall not be rendered more arduous by disciplinary measures. Pay is at a rate fixed by agreement between the belligerents