FLIGHT FROM GERMANY

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20921, 28 September 1939, Page 2

FLIGHT FROM GERMANY

SCATTERED REFUGEES LEAGUE OF NATIONS EFFORT REPORT FROM COMMISSIONER Although exact figures of the number of refugees who left German territory during 1938 are not available, the report of the High Commissioner for Refugees to be submitted to the Assembly of the League of Nations at its next meeting puts the number at not fewer than 120,000 and notes that some estimates place it as high as 140,000. Many of these have not yet found a permanent home or obtained permission to earn their own livelihood. Large numbers are in countries of refuge awaiting facilities for emigration. and in Europe alone there axe 60,000 persons who are wholly or partly dependent on private organisations for their maintenance. Many in desperation, the report continues, have left Germany for places such as Shanghai, where facilities for employment are inadequate for the number who have taken refuge there. At least 60,000 who left German territory in 1938 have found new homes and means of livelihood, being taken into other countries by infiltration, which, in contrast to the settlement of large groups, depends on the absorption of individuals into the various trades and occupations. Spread Over World The United States of America, Palestine, Australia and the countries of South America were the main contributors, but there are few places which did not receive some of these unfortunate persons during the past year. In regard to the possibility of a scheme of settlement in British Guiana, the High Commissioner summarises the position thus: A commission of specialists has reported that the possibilities are sufficiently good to justify the carrying out of experimental settlements, and while it did not feel justified in giving any assurance regarding the success of these settlements, it does consider that if they are successful the ultimate prospects of the territory as an area for settlement on a big scale are very large. Practical plans for trial settlement are now being considered by the organisations concerned and, provided that the necessary funds can be raised, it is hoped that a beginning may be made in the near future. The High Commissioner concludes his report with a reference to the needs for a fund from which he can from time to time help the private organisations which are concerned with the refugees from Germany. By the decision of the Assembly, he cannot derive direct assistance from his humanitarian funds for refugees, but he is authorised to make allotments among such organisations as he may consider best qualified to administer such help. Financial Assistance He points out, however, that urgent cases sometimes arise where immediate financial help would be more satisfactory and promptly performed if he were in a position to make a contribution. In addition, there is great scope for improving and extending the system of training in various countries: but, with the very heavy calls on their resources, the private organisations are unable to give adequate financial assistance, much as they would like to do so. The High Commissioner thinks that the League of Nations would be in a much stronger position to exercise its influence and to extent its part in this great humanitarian work if its representative were able from time to time to give some financial assistance to the private bodies which now have to bear practically the whole of the burden. The High Commissioner pays warm tribute to the magnificent work which these Codies are doing in difficult and depressing circumstances, and he adds that one of the very few redeeming features of the present tragedy is the manner in which thousands of workers are tackling the problem, which tends to increase rather than diminish.