Civilian Internees And

Allowances

PTA Makes Representations to Canberra

ONE of the minor battles the Pacific Territories Association is putting up on behalf of evacuees is an attempt to make the Commonwealth Government recognise the claim of civilians taken prisoner by the Japanese in New Guinea, or their dependants, to the same benefits as soldiers captured in the same area.

The secretary of the PTA (Mr. C. A. M.

Adelskold) has carried on a voluminous correspondence with various members of the Commonwealth Government, includ ing the Prime Minister and the Minister for External Territories, but with nothing more sustaining in reply than that the matter would “receive attention,” and that sympathetic consideration would be given on the merits of each case when the internee returned to Australia or when advice of his death was received.

Mr. Adelskold has pointed out that no provision was made for the removal of civilian men from Rabaul, and that they were left with the troops to do such duties as were required of them in the emergency. When the invasion took place they were told that they could “either go bush or surrender.” Some escaped, but the majority became prisoners of war.

The PTA claims that as such they are a national responsibility, and are entitled to the same benefits, and their dependants to the same allowances, as service per sonnel captured at the same time.