THE ARAWA VOLUNTEERS.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 18, 22 January 1926, Page 5

THE ARAWA VOLUNTEERS.

CAPTAIN JONES EXPLAINS. ASTONISHED AT STATEMENTS. ""I was astonished to read tiie reported complaints of the volunteer crew," said Captain T. Warrea Junes, commander of K.M.s. Arawa, when interviewed to-day i>y a "■Star"' representative concerning the allegations of bad treatment made by some of the men who took the Arawa to England during the British seamen's r-trike. "In the first place, it should be understood that these men volunteered to take the ship to England. They saw the quarters they were to occupy, and knew the conditions o f employment. They must have realised that they were entering upon an unaccustomed life, under conditions which would be strange to them. I recognised this, and did my best to alleviate tho™ conditions for them. During the homeward voyage they were treated exceptionally well", and there were no complaints of any kind." In proof of this statement, "Captain Jones showed the reporter a telegram which lie received from the volunteer* while in London, asking him and his officers to accept their "sincere thanks for the considerate treatment during the voyage." The telegram concluded: "Cabling tin's effect Prime Minister, New Zealand."

The trip Home ended happily, since valedictory speeches were made 'between the volunteer crew and Captain Jones. "In tiiese speeches the men thanked mo and my officers for what had been done for them, and I" thanked them on behalf of the company for all they had done to bring the ship safely Home," continued Captain Jones.

"Before leaving Pflnnma, the men were jriven the option of returning to NewZealand within three weeks, or later, and berths were arranged in the Arawa for those who wished to return immediately. The company granted them a lump sum of money for maintenance and expense.*, which, in some ea-«es, was spent within the first two day-. After that they were lodged and looked after jointly by the company and the Hitrh Commissioner. Then, as originally aareed upon, they wore brought back, as third-class passengers. As such they were treated. They had. of course, to conform to the discipline of the ship. Some slight difference arose amongst themselves on the voyage back. When this was reported to mc. I had to deal with it. for the comfort of the larsre complement of pnssenser.- which the ship carried. This may be the reason why one or more of the disgruntled ones made the statements attributed to them."

Questioned concerning the men's allegation that they were afforded no protection nn arriving; at Home. Captain •Tones expressed the utmost surprise that the men should have said anytlilntr on this score. "The st:itoment that they were given no protection i< absolutely wrong, as there was no trouble, nor even a sism of trouble, on the arrival of the vessel. The men were met by a representative of the company, and arrangements were made for them to go to the company"? office, where thine were arranged for them in connection with their stay and the return voyage. T know there was no trouble, as T was on the ship all the time, and could not get away for two hours after l>erthin? by reason of the arrangements which had to be made.' .