SAFE CONDUCT SHIP

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24758, 4 December 1943, Page 8

SAFE CONDUCT SHIP

USE 0E THE WAIIINE JAPANESE FOR AUSTRALIA (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Friday For the first time, except for hospital ships, a vessel on the New Zealand register has been employed as "safe conduct" ship, said the deputy-Prime Minister, the Hon. W. Nash, to-day. This was the Wahine, which returned to New Zealand recently after transporting certain Japanese nationals to Australia, said the deputy-Prime MinSix New Zealanders and one Japanese, the former chancellor of the Japanese Consulate-General at Wellington, had participated in the first exchange of civilians at Lorenco Marques in August, 1942, Mr. Nash stated. Later, in anticipation of a second exchange, certain Japanese nationals detained in New Zealand, who wished to return to their own country, were sent to Australia to await transport to an agreed exchange port. The Wahine, which was used to carry them, was specially marked with the Union Jack on either side, and with the word "Protected" in large letters painted above. National colours were painted fore and aft on the decks and on the sides of the ship. The date when the vessel would leave, her course and her speed had been notified beforehand to Japan, which, together with other enemy Governments, had given "safe conduct for the journey. The vessel was lit at night. Mr. Nash expressed a hope that the next exchange would not be long dclayed, and that som© mor© interned New Zealanders would soon be welcomed home. HOLIDAY PETROL MERCHANT NAVY MEN CRITICISM OF CONDITIONS The conditions under which petrol licences are to be granted to merchant seamen on leave were criticised yesterday bv Captain A. S. Dalgleish, secretary of the Auckland Merchant Service Guild. He characterised them as "just another example of lip service to the merchant navy." Representatives of the guild saw the Oil Fuel Controller, Mr. G. L. Laurenson, in Wellington recently, said Captain Dalgleish, and were informed by him that he would place before the War Cabinet a proposal that seamen on annual leave, on the production of evidence that they had completed 12 months' service on intercolonial and foreign-going vessels, should be given an allowance of petrol. The Merchant Service Guild in Wellington was later notified by Mr. Laurenson that this was to be granted. The office of the district oil fuel controller has now been instructed _ that licences for petrol, up to a maximum of 10 gallons, are to be made available to men on leave from ships traversing the war zones. The instruction does not apply to the crews of ships engaged exclusively in New Zealand coastal waters, or trading between New Zealand and Australia, or New Zealand, Australia and South Africa. Applicants for licences must certify that they have not applied within the prcvious_ 12 months. New Zealanders on British articles are, entitled to the ration if they are from ships traversing war zones.

"This means that nobody in New Zealand, sailing in New Zealand ships, is eligible," said Captain Dalgleish. "It is entirely different from what the Oil Fuel Controller told us. Considering that ships have been sunk between here and Australia and South Africa, I maintain that the Tasman Sea and the Indian Ocean are war zones. Under the present instructions, only a handful of members of the merchant navy would be entitled to holiday petrol." NO TRAIN CONCESSION SEAMEN ON HOLIDAY Overseas merchant seamen seeking a brief holiday in the country while their ships are in port are still unable to obtain railway concession fares. Concessions similar to those given to servicemen and women have been sought for officers and seamen 011 holiday by the naval and merchant navy patriotic sub-committee. After three months, the only response from the Government advice about the middle of last month that the matter would be considered. Since then the committee has received 110 further advice. CLOTHING TRADES CONTROL OF MACHINES (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Friday' The Minister of Supply, the Hon. D. G. Sullivan, announced that control had been taken over the sale, hire or other disposal of industrial sewing machines and steam pressing machines, new or second-hand. Control, he said, would enable tho allocation of production schedules of essential civilian clothing, and would also keep a check on where and how available manpower was being used. RED CROSS SOCIETY SPECIAL SUB-COMMITTEE A special sub-committee of three members, with Mr. A. P. Postlewaite as convener, has been appointed by the Auckland centre of the Red Cross Society to consider various matters in connection with the administration of the affairs of the centre. It is to report to a general meeting after January 011 finance and other matters, with a view to the full achievement of the aims of the society.