THE INFLUX OF AUSTRIANS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 5, 7 January 1899, Page 2

THE INFLUX OF AUSTRIANS.

ACTION BY THE SHIPPING COM-

PANIES.

THEY DEMAND PASSAGES FOR

FORTY AUSTRIANS

SYDNEY, January 6

The Orient Company and the North German Lloyds, after consulting their solicitors, have jointly informed the Union Company that they must throw the onus upon them of refusing to carry the Austrian?. They state they are advised that the Union Company, as common' carriers, can only refuse to carry these passengers at their peril, .... .. L The solicitor's letter sent to the Union Company by the German Company, and approved by the Orient Company, says:—'We are informed there is no Act in New Zealand specially prohibiting Austrians landing there, and that the Government have no legal authority to. prevent Austrians landing. Our clients therefore wish accommodation reserved in the next Auckland boat for 40, Austrians. Unless written intimation is received of the Union Company's willingness to carry the men we have no alternative but to institute ptpceedingis for damages.' The Austrian Consul at Auckland has cabled to the Imperial authorities at Vienna, requesting them to bring pressure to bear on the British Government. The cable to the Ministry at Vienna is to the effect that "Mr Seddon, -without authority, was refusing entrance'to Austrians into New Zealand. Eeplying to a cable from the North German Lloyd's the Austrian Consul at Auckland wires that there is absolutely no Act whatever excluding Austrians, and that the action of the New Zealand Government is quite illegal.