RETURNED TROOPS

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19833, 27 December 1919, Page 9

RETURNED TROOPS

RUAHINE’S DRAFT ARRIVES.

ACCOMMODATION TROUBLE

Tlie South island quota of the Ruahine’s draft arrived in Christchurch this afternoon at about d.30 o’clock. Tho men in quite a number nt instances were accompanied by timiv English wives and children, they all came to Lyttelton by the Jerry steamer Maori, which was unusually Into in arrivingDetails for Canterbury numbered about thirty. There were als<• seven lor the Nelson district and four for Westland, while about a further twenty-live were for Otago. C'omo of the Southern men proceeded south by a train which leftlater for Timaru. Inquiring in regard to the accommodation trouble on the Ruahino, a ‘‘(Star” reporter gathered that the uuijority of the draft consisted of noncommissioned ofhcer.Sj with wives and families. According to the regulations men above Ihe rank vf corporal wero entitled to second-class accommodation. ’lhoy evidently ncard that a’l was not right so lar as the accommodation was concerned, and prior *o embarking at Jorquay sent v. delegation to inspect the quarters. 1h« delegates wero refused admittance to the Ruahino, but were assured by a Home officer who paid a visit to the vessel that they would find everything in order and according to regulations. Once on Hie Ruahino, however, and wit', no chance of disembarking, the men above the rank ot corporal found that their quarters wero in the steerage oart of the steamer, and they had 'also to be content with the ordinary steerage food. But that was not t lie'worst part of the matter. It appears that the wives and children of the sergeants, for whom second-class fare to New Zealand was paid, were also put into the steerage. I lie food was a cso a source of trouble, one returned man stating that complaints were numerous, throughout the voyage. It is understood that representatives «,l; the Returned Soldiers’ Association visited the Ruahino upon arrival in the Dominion and made themselves conversant with the fact and secured first-hand information for further action. The men and their wives wlio arrived in Christchurch, today looked none the worse for their experiences.