STRANDED NEW ZEALANDERS

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 18132, 25 June 1919, Page 8

STRANDED NEW ZEALANDERS

DESPERATE MEASURES FEARED.

ACUTE DISTRESS REPORTED

(Received June 24, 10-30 p.m.)

SYDNEY, June 24-

Owing to a rumour that the militant section of the stranded New Zealanders intended to attack the New Zealand Government Agent's office, the police Guarded the building, but nothing transpired. The greatest .resentment, however, is expressed at Sir James Allen's cable message stating that he is inquiring into tlie possibility of utriising oversea steamers to take the New Zealanders home,' but that serious difficulties exist regarding quarantine. Many cases of acute distress are mentioned. One man was- without, food for four days and women are pawning their jewellery and even their wedding rings to buy food. Further conferences with the Seamen's Union and. the Union Company resulted in tlio seamen definitely rejecting a proposal to man the Mceraki on existing conditions, with r\ proviso that in the event of an agreement being reached the .conditions should bo retrospective on the Moerakrs trip. The Melbourne seamen are still solid against accepting arbitration.