"CARGO STOWAWAYS."

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21144, 30 March 1932, Page 9

"CARGO STOWAWAYS."

MEN FROM AUSTRALIA. DISCUSSION IN ENGLAND. LONDON. March 23. The Overseas Settlement Department has issued a statement declaring that, reports of "cargo stowaways" on Australian vessels are exaggerated. On the contrary, it is stated in the report, the number of stowaway migrants from Australia is negligible. The departmental statement, follows th>< prosecution of fi-o men who were charged with stowing away on the Coolist&n. A solicitor said that two other ships were due with "cargo stowawavs."

It is most, distressing when men have to go .such lengths." be said, " to reach their home. Thousands are living in camps and hovels, and absolutely starving fine made "0 attempts to stow away." The accused, who were described a" being of good character, were remanded. The Overseas Settlement Department states that the Australian fiovernment is doing everything possible to relmvo distress. and is not differentiating between British and Australians. The British Ooveriiment's represent a tive in New South Wales had founded a welfare centre, and was affording great, assistance. An official of the Commonwealth Dominion Fine, whose steamer Fort Bowen had two .stowaways aboard, says that, although stowaways are increasing in numbers, the position is not startling. "We often find a couple of stowaways," he said, " as they usually work in pairs." The Shaw, Savill Company states that there is 110 increase in stowaways, at. prosecutions are keeping the numbers down.