AMERICAN SAILORS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVI, Issue 180, 1 August 1925, Page 17

AMERICAN SAILORS.

KEEN ON COUNTRY TRIPS

(By Telegraph.—Special to "Star.")

WELLINGTON, Friday.

People of country districts of the Dominion whose towns had been listed for visits of parties of officers and men of the American Fleet will probably read with disappointment cables that some of the trips arranged to country districts of Australia were given the "cold shoulder" by the men of the fleet. That cable message apparently misstated the position, for a report to the New Zealand Government shows that the American sailors were keen on trips to the country. The Minister of Internal Affairs, the Hon. R. F. Bollard, stated to-day that, as the result of cabled inquiries of the Australian authorities, it had been ascertained that the officers and men detailed for these trips were keenly participating in them. In one instance, the report stated, a special train had to be provided for the purpose of conveying disappointed men who had failed to catch an earlier train to the country. "When the New Zealand programme was under review," said Mr. Bollard, "the Government was advised that country trips would be a star part of the itinerary, and that the ships' orders of the day as to the allocation of officers and men -for the various journeys and functions would be strictly adhered tc, so people iv the Wairarapa, Manawatu, Waikato and other districts who are unable to visit the centres will not be disappointed, as the trips already planned are to take place."