STRANDED NEW ZEALANDERS

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 167, 15 July 1919, Page 9

STRANDED NEW ZEALANDERS

KEPLY TO COMPLAINTS. CBj Telegraph.—Press Association.) WELLIXOTON, Monday. The Acting-Prime Minister, Sir James Allen, in a statement combating the statement made by Manuka passengers that the Government did nothing to heip the Xew Zealanders to get home, said that lie personally made every effort lie could to get the Manuka away, and so did the Vnion Company. More than that, foe did everything he could to got the Seamen's Union in Australia to allow the Moeraki to get away. '"I have also interested myself," continued the Minister, "in procuring the Prinzessin to bring back Xew Zealanders. It is quite wrong to cay that the New Zealand Government, represented by the Acting-Prime 'Minister, ■has not done all it could to secure a transport for the stranded New Zealanders. The Prinzessin is, I hope, in Sydney now. taking , the balance of the stranded Xew Zealanders on hoard, and at the same time she is bringing coal for the railways. This ship has been made available to us for this service by the courtesy of the shipping controller, ■with whom we have been in correspondence." The Minister said the instruction of the Government to the agent in Sydney was that no money should be spared to give relief to all deserving eases of distress among the stranded Xew Zealanders.