STRIKING SEAMEN.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXIII, 22 December 1925, Page 4

STRIKING SEAMEN.

MOVEMENT FOR REPATRIATION. By Tplraranh—P-as» Aioocift tT«*. WELLINCITON, December 21. I ' A movement is on foot in Auoldxuul J for the release of a number of British ' seamen, who are still in gaol as a result of the recent strike, before then ; sentences expire, if there is a steamer I available for them to be sent to England as distressed British seamen. 1 The following telegram on the subject has been sent to Mr M. J. Savage, M.P., for Auckland 'West, by 'the Minister of Justice (Sir James Parr): i “Referring to the interview which you and other members of Parliament had with me at Auckland recently, when it was urged that seamen from overseas ships now in gaol at Audklnm. should be released and repatriated; as I indicated at the time, the matter is one of Government policy. I have now had an opportunity of discussing it with the Government,-and I find in the first place that, arrangements had already . been made for sufficient accommodation J to enable between 90 and 100 men to be ! repatriated by the s.s. Ipjjio. ** was found that only some ,‘l9 men were offering, though obviously-a greater; imumbor aro at liberty in Auckland. Thej balance of the space was therefore reserved for men who might be nynil- ! able in 'VVellington, but so far inquiries' have failed to. discover any such men, and as the vessel is departing immediately there is no time to bring from i Anollland men who are now in gaol. I think it inadvisable, and opposed to the men!s interests.,' more particularly as many of them are j probably without; means, that they should be released before arrangements, can bo made for their repatriation to Great Britain. The Marine Department is endeavouring to make the reguisite arrangements for ,further repntrintlws, and asmuing 'this" to be possible; I ain prepared ,t,o authorise the release ,of, the men in numbers suitable in the accommodation on tlie infinite understanding, of course, that the mfri undertake to fulfil the arrangements, made on their behalf.” ~ ...