ARMS ON SHIP

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 89, Issue 263, 7 November 1945, Page 5

ARMS ON SHIP

INDONESIANS ON WAY TO JAVA STERN CRITICISM ESPERANCE BAY EPISODE Recd. 10JO p.m. Sydney, Nov. 6. The Federal Government is being sternly taken to task by the Opposition loaders and newspapers for its part In the Esperance Bay episode. The Leader of the Country Party, Mr. Fadden, has demanded an immediate investigation Into the allegations that 1400 Indonesians repatriated from Australia in the Esperance Bay, were allowed to carry away arms and take control of the ship. In reply to Mr. Fadden, the Minister of Immigration. Mr. Calwell, denied that the Indonesians carried arms, saying that the departure of the Indonesians was carefully supervised by officers of the Security Service. Later, however, the Minister of External Affairs, Mr. Makin, said the Australian authorities inspected before the Esperance Bay left Australia that the Indonesians had concealed arms. The papers are demanding that the Government should clarify, firstly, whether the report that the Indonesians aboard the liner were armed is true?. Secondly, how they got the arms? Thirdly, what kind of precau-tions-weretaken co prevent them carrytag arms from this country? “Canberra’s responsibility for the whole disgraceful business is incontestable.’* says the “Sydney Morning Herald." In an editorial, adding that If the striking Indonesian seamen did not commit piracy against the ship en route to Batavia it was no fault ot the Ministers in Canberra. "The Story of the Esperance Bay s voyage can hardly fall to lower Australian prestige among the coloured races everywhere bevonrt our northern waters.” says the "Herald.” “It is now plain that the contain of the Esperance Bay. fearing trouble before he left Australian waters, demanded, and later received, an escorting warship. , Despite this he was either ordered' or felt obliged to abandon his Original Instructions to land certain Fattens at ports of eall. and proceeded direct tn a safe. Allied port at Batavia. Mr. Makin admits the Indonesians were not searched for arms, nor was an armed guard nut on the •hin. *baeauw any action might have provoked the Indonesians into refusal ”l'he Australian wharf labourers, tn earlier furtherance of nro-Yndonesiar sentiments. had held up Dutch and other thimine for three weeks, refusing to allow any arms o- tmons, or even nod to he carried In them to Batavia. The Prime Minister, in Canberra. consented to tn’s dictation Government policy. His Cabinet did not mind provoking the Dutch Government. hut it would not dare provoke the Indonesian lawsbreaken by examining their luggage for arms. • hnMHMteg ■bmau,” adds the HetoM. “Under the Trades Hall pressure Ms fleveenuMßt has Intervened gratattawvlv la aa insurgent movement. which is not aa affair of Austratta’s.” "As-aa attempt to run in foreign politics while we are still learning to walk, the episode is lamentable. It Is calculated to make either the Dutch or the Indonesians henceforth trust us. The revelation that the Australian troops placed on an Australian Shin were unequal to coping with the defiance of a moh of native passengers being repatriated as undesirable immigrants, can hardly fail to provoke derision everywhere, from Timor to Suez.” i

NOT MANY_ARMS FOUND Re .S d - Jo pm - . Batavia, Nov. 6. Mr.«. C. Plumb, Australian political liaison officer to the South-eact Asia Command, who was on the Esperance Bay, has announced that only two pistols were found in the search of Indonesians before they left the Esperance Bay, but many were carrying knives. More might be found in a check of baggage at present going on before they are discharged. The loading at Sydney was chaotic, but there were luggage checks in Brfebane.