IN SAD PLIGHT

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 125, 29 May 1919, Page 7

IN SAD PLIGHT

STRANDED NEW ZEALANDERS

A report.forwarded to The Post states that a largely-attended meeting of strand-, ed New Zealanders was held-in Sydney, on 17th M_y. Mr. E. A. Bait, who presided, in the course of a strongly-worded! address stated that, from information received, it was apparent to all that tUe v real reason of the embargo, placed upon:. passengers returning to New Zealand;" was not the extent of the influeim irt; Australia, but tho inadequate quarantine accommodation at the various ; stations;: in New Zealand.. This statement." wast j supported by a letter received by,, Mi;.-, Ba-lli-nger from his father- in Welling--ton. The letter was signed- by the Chiefr Health Officer, who stated, inter alia :— "Further, in view of the shortage of accommodation at quarantine stations, anyv steamers bringing passengers from Aus-'----ti-alia will be at onco placed in quarantine, if infectious cases are discovered ore. board on arrival." Further than this, there appeared in the.Sydney,papers this, week a cable from Wellington, sent byf the Hon. G. W. Russell,. which statedthat the embargo could not.be'remover! . until the <ionditioi_ at the quarantine; stations were such as to enable a full" ship's company to be handled.':' -„,"-- ■At the request of the chairman, Mr. ; H..J. Blow, the New Zealand Govern-* .ment Agent in Sydney, addressed the" meeting. He stated that", he. had sent the following cablegram to "the Minister*for Health,. Wellington : "Wish report Union Company before sending .Moeraki. Suva quarantined vessel three days, also carry doctor and nurses. 'Manager;' reports Moeraki reaches Suva to-mor-'----row (to-day). So far no, sickness on, board. In view success Moeraki experiment and fact that epidemic here greatly improved respectfully suggest.similar experiment be tried Manuka for Wellington. Manager endorses .proposal." ■ v Mr. Blow was thanked for his efforts', on behalf of New Zeala-nders in Sydney... At the same time it was decided by this meeting to act independently of anyJETilng Mr. Blow had done. Following, this decision, considerable condemnation'i was expressed of the injustice of the:i New _ Zealand Government's actiori,;; especially as many case's 'of hardship' were quoted, .particularly, with,regard tofwornen and children. ' '■••>■■— ■<-

■ After a great;deal.:p£,„discussM_v,;ini.i which nearly the whole 113 persons cori;-'* cerned took part, it was- unanimously;'resolved to send the following' cable, to.. Sir James Allen, Acting-Prime Minister; for New Zealand:— "New;- Zealandere: detained here demand right xet'ui'n'im-' mediately. Generally known reason ] uoti ■-' epidemic Australia but your neglect pro-1 vide necessary quarantine accommodation: This confirmed by Hon. Russell's', cable statement.-' ■■ Your action.unprecedented and intolerable. All concerned!: consider Government1 liable for citizens'^ .monetary loss and intend taking action' accordingly. Strongly urge that Manukai- ■ sailing 22nd will be allowed take passengers.- Organ? reply asked for." The Sub-Committee was appointed to>look after, the interests of those present, who handed in their names and. Sydney addresses, thus enabling a complete record to be kept.

The Sydney correspondent of ■ The Post, - writing on 21st May,- stated :-S----"This may be the last mail- t to New. Zea^ land for some time. The plight, of the many New Zealandors marooned in,this country as a consequence of the influenza restrictions is a pitiful one, and it now threatens,to become, worse. .Experiences in recent months are now enough to give a trip to either New Zealand or Australia all tho characteristics of 'a very dangerous adventure."