STRANDED NEW ZEALANDERS

Evening Star, Issue 17085, 2 July 1919, Page 8

STRANDED NEW ZEALANDERS

EARLY RETURN EXPECTED. OUR GOVERNMENT GIVE WAY. The New Zealand Government have not been able yet to arrange anything definite for the return of the stranded New Zealanders in Sydney. The Mocraki’s crew will not sign on for another voyage because of the strike in Australia. Bir James Alien and tho Hon. G. IV. Russell have cabled to the Government Agent in Sydney conveying to him messages to the Seamen’s Union, appealing for the removal of all obstacles to the manning of the MGerald. It has been derided that if both the Manuka and the Moeraki can be got away from Sydney they will be- allowed to bring 300 passengers each. If only the Manuka can be got away the. scheme is to allow her to bring her full complement of passenger*. If cn arrival here it should be necessary to quarantine the ship some of the passenger* may be taken to Auckland and some to Wellington. If both vessels come across the Manuka will come to Wellington and the Moeraki to Auckland. The Hon. G. 3V. Russell stated at Wellington yesterday that notwithstandingthe severity of the epidemic iu Australia, the Government felt that the time had come when some risk must he taken to enable their fellow-countrymen to return. There arc two New Zealand doctors in Sydney—-Dr Davis with the Moeraki and. Dr Russell with the Manuka —and their responsibility is to nee that all necessary tests of the passengers aud crew are made for three days before embarkation. Sir James Allen telegraphed to the Government Agent regarding the statements that gome c-f the New Zealanders weie destitute, and received a reply to the effect that £266 had been sufficient to relieve all the eases of distress in respect to which applications fur relief had been made, with the exception of a few who were ineligible because they had lived in Australia for some years. The Agent has still £IOO of the money sent to him by the Minister of Public Health.