During his recent visit to Ottawa, Mr. Weld discussed the problem of what should be done with respect to certain Canadian citizens who went to Germany before the war and are still there. These are persons whose national status has been clarified, against whom there is no adverse security report and many of whom were not given assisted repatriation previously because they had business affairs to settle in Germany, there was illness in the family or for some other similar reason. These persons may number two to three hundred in all.

Mr. Weld considers that the persons to whom he refers are desirable if we simply look at them as immigrants.

These persons, of course, could not qualify as Displaced Persons and their passage will not be paid by the International Refugee Organization, neither will they have friends or relatives or funds in Canada so that their way could he paid for them. They are in the unfortunate position of being Canadian citizens, so that no one has any responsibility with respect to them except the Canadian Military Mission, Berlin, and the Mission has instructions to give them no assistance.

I should appreciate your views on the desirability of considering these persons as intending immigrants, enquiring carefully with respect to them and if they are satisfactory, including them with persons who are coming to Canada as immigrants from Germany. It seems altogether likely that a considerable amount of transportation space will be available within the next few months and indeed there is the possibility that some ships may sail without the full complement of passengers. Under the circumstances, we could put a few of these people in each ship upon their written undertaking to repay whatever costs might he involved. We could also place them in the camps which Labour is arranging for immigrants in Canada until such time as suitable employment has been found for then here.

If it is decided to proceed with this scheme we will, of course, have to obtain the agreement of the Departments of Mines and Resources and Labour.

C.P. HÉBERT