UNFORTUNATE SEAMEN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXII, Issue 19478, 22 December 1925, Page 9

UNFORTUNATE SEAMEN

STRIKERS IN PRISON POSSIBILITY OF RELEASE AND REPATRIATION. GOVERNMENT’S ACTION. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, Dec 21. A movement is on foot, in Auckland for the release of a number of striking British seamen who arc still in goal before their sentences expire, if there is a steamer available for them to be sent, to England as distressed British seamen.

The following telegram on the, subject has been sent, to Air M. J. Savage, M.P. for Auckland West, by the Minister of Justice, Sir James Parr: “Referring to the interview which you and other members of Parliament had with mo at Auckland recently, when it. was urged that seamen from overseas ships now in gaol at Auckland should be released and repatriated, as I indicated at the time the matter is one of Government policy, and I have now had an opportunity of discussing it, with the Government. I find in the first, place that, arrangements had al ready been made, for sufficient accommodation to enable, between 90 and 100 men to be repatriated by the s.s. lonic. It was found that only some 39 men were offering, though obviously a greater number are at liberty in Auckland. The balance of space was therefore reserved for men who might, be available in Wellington, but so far inquiries failed to discover any such men, and as the vessel is departing immediately There is no time to bring from Auckland men who aro now in gaol. “I think it inadvisable, and opposed to the men’s own interests, more particularly as many of th. m are probably without means, (hat they should be released before arrangements can be made for their repatriation to Great. Britain. The Marine, Department is endeavouring to make requisite arrangements for further repatriations, and assuming this to be possible I. am prepared to authorise, the release of the men in numbers suitable to the accommodation available, on the definite understanding, of course, that the men undertake to fulfil the arrangements made in their behalf.”