STRANDED IN COLOMBO

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 80, 28 November 1945, Page 4

STRANDED IN COLOMBO

NEW ZEALAND NAVAL MEN Auckland, Nov. 27. A special correspondent of the “New Zealand Herald” cabled from Colombo on Saturday that approximately 170 New Zealand naval officers and ratings are stranded in Colombo, awaiting repatriation. “Most of them have been here more than a month, some up to six weeks, but in that time they have been unable to get any indication as to when thfey may begin the homeward journey. “The sense of frustration has been heightened by the passage through Colombo of a number of ships which the men believe could have taken some of them, at least to Australia, if not fur. ther, “A further cause for dissatisfaction among the ratings is that those who have come from ships Or stations outside 5 Colombo have riot had their pay since they arrived. They have been living on what the Navy knows as ‘casuals.’ These are advances against accumulated pay, but in certain cases the men are limited to 20 rupees a month, equivalent to less than £2 in New Zealand money. "The repatriation of the men now waiting in Colombo is the responsibility of the British Government. The men realise this, and are not critical of the New Zealand Government. The men’s hopes have been raised by reports circulating to-day of three ships to take New Zealanders home between Ist and 15th December.”

The Minister of Defence, Mr Jones, said yesterday that immediately the report was received a message was sent by the Navy Secretary to ascertain details, and another message was being sent to inquire into the question of pay.