INTERVIEW WITH MR HEROMAN

Auckland Star, Volume XLVIII, Issue 36, 10 February 1917, Page 6

INTERVIEW WITH MR HEROMAN

SHIPS MUST BE WORKED. BLAMES A FEW LEADERS. (!By Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLINGTON, this day. Interviewed regarding the regulations giving power to the Government to take over the control of the wharves in the event of industrial disturbances, the Hon. A. l>. Herdman said that if Britain and the Allies were to be victorious, troops must be sent to the front as regularly and expeditiously as possible, and England provided with foodWhen mercantile marine were being ruthlessly wrecked by the enemy, ships cannot be allowed to remain idle at our wharves. Such a state of affairs would be intolerable. The position was much too eerioue to allow any troublesome section of the community to dominate the situation and decide for New Zealand whether it shall or shall not be allowed to do its share of war ■work. "The responsibility for the present discreditable position should be placed upon the shoulders of a few mistaken leaders. He exonerated the great bulk of the men from blame. He also pointed out the heavy penalty imposable on any person who conspires to prevent, delay, or other■wiee interfere with the proper loading, unloading, or dispatch of any vessel, viz., £500 or twelve months' imprisonment."