Territories Men In Jap

Hands

THE Pacific Territories Association in

September made representation to

the Minister for External Territories, Canberra, in regard to the exchange, with Japan, of Territories prisoners of war. It has received the following reply:— The Secretary, Pacific Territories Association, Dear Sir.—l refer to your letter of 2nd Septem ber in which you inquire whether any plan for the exchange of prisoners of war as between Australia and Japan has been set in motion.

This matter has been kept under constant review by this Department, which has compiled a list of residents of the Territory of New Guinea who are believed to be prisoners of war of the Japanese; and representations have been made, and will continue to be made, to the appropriate authorities, with a view to the in clusion of such persons in any exchange of prisoners that is arranged with the Japanese Government, (Signed) J. R. HALLIGAN, Assistant Secretary.

September 18, 1943.