THE RANGITIKI

Evening Post, Volume CXL, Issue 64, 13 September 1945, Page 8

THE RANGITIKI

MISLEADING REPORT

COMPANY'S STATEMENT

"The New Zealand Shipping Company, Limited, wishes to correct unauthorised and misleading statements regarding H.M. Transport Rangitiki reported by Press Association telegram from Auckland on September 11," says a statement issued by the company.

"H.M.T. Rangitiki is not. nor ever has been, fixed to sail from Wellington on or about September 21, 1945, and intending passengers have not been advised by the company either that they would be required to embark on that date or that the vessel would sail at that date.

! "All persons embarking in H.M.T. Rangitiki are doing so under direction of Sea Transport Authorities, and all passage money accruing is charged at rates fixed by the Director of Sea Transport, London, and credited in full to the hirers in accordance with the terms of requisition. Supplementarycharges payable by dependants and fiancees of United States servicemen are as fixed by the United States transport authorities. References to conditions of travel constitute extracts from the notice prescribed by the Director of Sea Transport to be handed to intending civilian passengers in all troop transports prior to each and every embarkation.

"H.M.T. Rangitiki recently disembarked a full complement of outward passengers, including a large number of civilians, and the commander and steward in charge personally reported to the general manager of the New Zealand Shipping Co., Ltd., that during the entire voyage not one complaint was received regarding either the accommodation or victualling. Prior to arrival appreciation of the comfort and attention received under trooping conditions was expressed to the commander by all sections of the passenbers, both collectively and individually, and both verbally and in writing."