Australian Government Has A Policy

For Civilian Internees

Mr. Ward Says So—And He Should Know

r J I ERRI TO RIANS who are interested in the Commonwealth Govern ment’s treatment of civilians taken prisoner in New Guinea by the Japanese in the early days of the Pacific war, or those prisoners’ depen dants, will also be interested in Mr. Ward’s latest views on the matter.

On June 1, in the House of Representatives, the member for Adelaide (Mr. Chambers ) asked Mr. Ward, as Minister for External Territories, a series of questions on Government policy in regard to these civilian internees. On June 6, Mr. Ward answered. The questions, as asked by Mr. Chambers, and the answers as given by Mr. Ward, appear below :

Questions

1. Has the Government yet determined its policy in regard to rehabilitation of civilians who became prisoners of the Japanese in in the Mandated Territory of New Guinea? 2. In particular, have any decisions been made as to: (a) Whether the Government will make some provision for the maintenance of such internees and their dependants.

(b) The Minister who will be charged with carrying out the Government’s policy in re spect to such internees, i.e., will it be the Minister for External Territories, the Minister for Repatriation, or the Minister for Social Services. (c) Provision for medical attention, pen sions, rehabilitation, training or grants to internees who return under either tem porary or permanent disability. (d) Provision for the dependants of any internee who has died while in Japanese hands. (e) Whether civilians who were not mem bers of, but of necessity worked with, and were captured with, the New' Guinea Volunteer Rifles will be treated for re habilitation purposes as if they were soldiers, and", therefore, members of the Australian Imperial Force. (f) Whether, where an allotment has been paid to the nominee of an administration internee, and it appears that such internee has died during his internment by the Japanese, the Government will continue his allotment; if so, to what extent, and for what period. (g) Whether the amount of any allotment paid since the death of the internee will be debited against the balance of any salary held by the administration or against the widow or other dependant. (h) Whether the Government will permit the dependant of an internee who has a credit with the administration for salary during the period of internment to draw against, or obtain an advance from, such credit. (i) Whether, when permission is granted for the return of the civil population to the Territory, the Government will pay the fares or otherwise assist the return of those who were compulsorily evacuated.

Answers

1. Yes. 2. (a) Allowances on a repayable basis are being paid to dependants of civilian internees in cases of necessity. No action will be taken to .recover the amounts so paid until the internee is released and his position generally is examined. Sympathetic con sideration will be given to the question of providing assistance, on the merits of each case, when the internee returns to Australia or advice of his death is received. (b) The Minister for External Territories in consultation with the Minister for Social Services. (c) See answer to (a). (d) See answer to (a). (e) No. The Government has fully con sidered this matter, but because of certain administrative difficulties considers such a course impracticable (also see answer to (a)). (f) Dependants of permanent officers of the administration will be eligible for super annuation allowance when information of the death of the officer is received. Em ployees of the administration not covered by the superannuation scheme will be treated in the same manner as civilians (see answer to (a)). (g) The amount of allotment paid to the dependants will be debited against the credit held on account of the officer. (h) Payments to dependants are made pur suant to the provisions of Regulation 18 (2) of National Security (External Territories) Regulations, which provide that the Minister may pay any such portion of detention allowance as he thinks fit, to such mem bers of an officer’s family as he is satisfied are normally dependent upon the officer’s earnings. (i) This question is receiving the attention of the Government.