STRANDED IN SYDNEY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16403, 24 December 1918, Page 6

STRANDED IN SYDNEY.

PLIGHT OF NEW ZEALAND

PASSENGERS,

(special to "the press.") '

WELLINGTON, December 23

Tho Government doco not consider that it would be wise policy for the country to make itself responsible absolutely for the New Zealanders who are stranded in bydney, owing to the interruption of the steamor services. Sir* James Allen stated to-day that ho had telegraphed to the New Zealand agont in Sydney to ses that none of our people were left destitute, leaving him to exorcise his discretion as to what ought to be dono. Sir James Allon said ho did not consider that tho Government could advise the Steamship Company to pny the men their extortionate demands, oven in this exceptional case, for this would be inviting the same demand for every ship on the seas. '

As a matter of fact, there is evidence m Now Zealand that the firemen are taking concertod action, and that there irt no prosnect of their signing on to take the ship out of port before the holidays.

(By Cabta—Preas Association.—Copyright.. SYDNEY, December 23. The manager of the Union Steam Ship Company denies tho statement that the men required tho company to indemnify dependants in the event of an outbreak of influonza on board a vessel, which tho company had refused. Tho only direct application from the men was for full pny in tho event of quarantine, and ordinary pay for those contracting tho disease, to which the company agreed.