28 Feb 1942, Chronology of Events Related to Stanley Civilian Internment Camp
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The British Communal Council, the Camp's new governing body, meets for the first time.
John Pennefather- Evans suggests prayers be offered for Divine guidance, and the Reverend Sandbach obliges.
The Council notes with satisfaction that some of those who committed the recent thefts of food from godowns just outside the camp have been handed over to the internee authorities to be dealt with, which, the Council believes, shows evidence that the Japanese intend to follow the Geneva Convention, which says that internment camps should be self-governing.
But Camp Secretary, John Stericker, cynically notes that it became obvious later there was no such intention and that the guards were too scared to let the Gendarmes know they had failed to stop the thefts.
Sir Atholl MacGregor speaks on the introduction of a camp judicial system, Finance and Executive Committees are appointed, and the committee refuses to co-opt two women to represent Stanley's 1000 or so women and children, a suggestion from the social worker, Miss Elliot.
After two hours, the meeting finishes.
Source:
John Stericker, Captive Colony, 1945, Chapter V, pages 5-6
