WAIMANA VINDICATED.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19759, 9 April 1926, Page 8

WAIMANA VINDICATED.

COMPLAINTS UNFOUNDED. A DISGRUNTLED FEW. (Pee United Peebs Association.) WELLINGTON, April 8. In reference to the complaints of pa»sengers on the \v aimana, raised in the House of Commons, the agents of the company state that the captain of the ship declined an address stating the passengers’ thanks for the cleanliness of the ship, the wholesome bill of fare, and the general efficiency of the officers, and regretting that a pleasant association was terminated. This address was signed by a committee elected by the passengers. A passenger also wrote to the company testifying that there were no grounds for complaint, but the trouble was caused by half a dozen malcontents. In the House of Commons on March 29 Mr H Day l (Labour) asked whether tho authorities would hold an inquiry into the allegations that the W T aimana ; which was used to convey migrants to New Zealand, was totally unfitted for the purpose; that SOO passengers were cramped into illventilated six-berth cabins: and that there were only nine baths for the whole of Die migrants. Sir Barton Chadwick (Undersecretary for Trade) said that the Wai* mana had been surveyed, and she complied with the regulations. Mr Day asked if Sir Burton Chadwick had deceived a complaint from 250 pasengers that the ventilation was bad and the food abominable, and also that towards the end of the voyage twopence was charged for a glass of water. Sir Burton Chadwiek replied in the negative but stated t'-at if details were snnnhed he would have them investigated. Mr R. Gee (Con.) asked if he would get the rcpulationja altered. Sir Burton Chadwick tenlied that h* wa« not aware that they were bad. They had proved satisfactory in many shins.