MRS. M. M. FREER

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 286, 2 December 1936, Page 8

MRS. M. M. FREER

RADIO 'PHONE CALL "AWAITING DECISION." TALK WITH SHIP'S PURSER. TRAVELLEB WON'T SPEAK. Mrs. M. M. Freer is a passenger for Sydney on board the Awatea. ' This was established to-day when the "Auckland Star" spoke to the purser of the Awatea, Mr. R. Pirani, on the radio telephone. i A person-to-person call was put through to the Awatea for Mrs. Freer, but, as she declined to come to the telephone, a response was accepted from the purser. The "Star" asked: Is Mrs. Freer on board? Mr. Pirani:-Yes, she is on board. "Can't she come to the telephone, please?" « "In Her Cabin." Mr. Pirani: No, she is in her cabin, in bed, and the call cannot be put through to her cabin. The "Star" informed the purser that an important cable had been received, indicating tl at the Ministry would not permit Mrs. Freer to land in Australia, and that the decision of Mr. Paterson would be upheld. Purser Takes Message. The purser was good enough to convey the message to Mrs. Freer, and to obtain a reply. After about two minutes' wait the purser returned to the telephone, saying, "The only statement Airs. Freer will make is that she will await Cabinet's decision. She says she has nothing more to say." The conversation was crystal clear, the voice of the Awatea's purser being heard as easily as though he were talking from a telephone in the city. A Press Association message from Wellington yesterday stated that speculation as to whether Mrs. Freer would be sailing by the Awatea. last . night created considerable interest oil the ship. Mrs. Freer had booked out of her hotel soon after 9 a.m. However, her name did not : appear- in- the passenger list, and, further, any knowledge of her movements was denied officially on board. Nevertheless, rumours that she was on board persisted. Officials of the Awatea stated that it would be a. comparatively simple proceeding for Mrs. Freer to find her way on - board under an assumed name. She was not known in. Wellington, and would meet little difficulty in- securing a ticket.