NO SUITABLE SHIPS

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 22, 26 July 1945, Page 6

NO SUITABLE SHIPS

AMERICANS' WIVES IN N.Z. p.A. AUCKLAND, This Day. Difficulties responsible for the delay in obtaining transport to America for about three hundred wives, children, and fiancees of American servicemen from Auckland and other parts of New Zealand were explained by LieutenantColonel L. W. Nickerson, special representative of the Commander of the South Pacific Area Land Force. Everything possible had been done, he stated, and the authorities were kept constantly advised of the position, but there appeared to be no immediate likelihood of a ship being available. As from June, shipping had been rerouted to meet the altered war circumstances, and the position now was that no competent transport came within 4000 miles of the Dominion. "Competent transport" was any vessel which fully complied with international requirements concerning lifeboat accommodation for everyone on board. Civilians could not be carried on "attack" transports, which were ships that had been stripped of their lifeboats and fitted with rafts instead. Vice-Admiral Calhoun, commander of this area, had presented the situation as it affected New Zealand to the Chief of Naval Operations and had asked that suitable shipping should be made available at the earliest possible date. A reply had been received from the Chief of' Naval Operations stating that no suitable shipping was in sight, but the first available vessel would be directed here. Intending civilian passengers, however, would have to take I their normal priority, which naturally ! was below . that of service personnel and technicians connected"with the war effort. Referring to the position of certain wives of Americans who had had their allotments diverted to the United States in anticipation of an early departure, Colonel Nickeison said it was anticipated that a navy chaplain would be attached to his office from about August 15, and would be the custodian of "the navy's relief fund, which he would be able to administer to alleviate any distress brought about through lack of money. The chaplain would also be able to give counsel to the wives on the advisability of having the allotments stopped.

A proposal that it should be compulsory for all adolescents, up to the age of 18 years, t6 attend technical classes on at least one clay in each week of school terms, employers to arrange such attendance , without loss of pay, is contained in a remit from the Nelson Education Board to be discussed at the New Zealand Technical Education Association's Conference' in Wellington on September 19. Two members of the board opposed the remit on account of the staff disorganisation which wouiil result if the proposal came into operation, but other members said there was now a world feeling that children should have an opportunity of going on with some form of education until they were 18 or 19 years of nge.