MAUI POMARE.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 133, 7 June 1929, Page 9

MAUI POMARE.

COMPLAINT BY CREW.

REPLY BY AGENTS.

COMFORT OF THE MEN,

The following statement was made this morning by the agents for the steamer Maui Pomare, Messrs. Spedding, Ltd., as an outcome of complaints made by members of the crew reported on our illustration page:—

"After the native members of the crew had been at Cintra recovering from influenza they were transferred to the Sailors' Home, and remained there for a period of five weeks. They were then transferred to the Maori Hostel. The Secretary of the Cook Islands Department, when in Auckland last week, made a special point of visiting the natives at the hostel to ensure that they were comfortable and satisfied. On learning that some of the natives desired extra mattresses and blankets, he authorised supplies to be obtained from the chiet steward of the Maui Pomare, .- , .

"The Secretary visited the hostel with a representative of the agents, and there learned that the natives had been authorised to secure supplies from the ship if they so desired. They had not availed themselves of this offer. Eor some time past the chief steward of the Maui Pomare has visited the hostel twice a day to see that the men we're comfortable, and he also saw that the sanitary condition is maintained. At the same time he provided for the victualling of the whole crew.

"The statement that the men have not been provided with funds is not correct. The natives received full pay from the Ist to the loth April, which was the day the vessel sailed without the natives. From the 15th to the end of April they received an advance of half-pay. When the Secretary of the Department was at the hostel a week ago, he conveyed to the men that as the Maui Pomare was further delayed, he would make another advance and on May 31 they went to the ship and each man received £2 10/. On approaching the Minister yesterday, these men stated that they had no funds, which fact conveys that they had spent all advances made to them. "The Secretary of the Department promised the natives a bonus, which would be advanced to them a' week prior to their departure, in order that they might purchase any small requisites. This bonus is, of course, in addition to any advances made. In accordance with the Minister's request a further sum was being advanced to the natives to-day.

"In view of the above evidence," the agents state, "it is felt that the native crew of the Maui Pomare have been exceptionally well treated while they have been in New Zealand, and it is hard to understand why they should make inaccurate statements."