STRANDED NEW ZEALANDERS

Waikato Times, Volume 90, Issue 14052, 3 May 1919, Page 6

STRANDED NEW ZEALANDERS

DISCRIMINATION DENIED. STATEMENT BY THE MINISER. (By Telegraph-—Press Association.) CHIUSCHURCH. Friday. Referring to a cable from. Sydney stating that the stranded New Zealanders were distressed at what they claimed to be discrimination in allowing soldiers and m'unition workers to return to New Zealand while civilians were debarred, Hon. G. W. Russell said he was surprised at the statement, as no Ministrial authority had been giy.cn flor 'the relaxation of the eml>argo. While appreciating the work oi the soldiers and munition workers he could not differentiate between different classes of the community. If the Health Department had cabled Permission it was done on its own responsij l>Hity. and the matter would be injured into.. He haid deceived information from' Wellington that a small l>9dv of soldiers was en. route to New •Zealand, but no consent had been given t<j the Defence Departmnt for the • transfer of n.lunition >workers. Until there were more effective quarantine stations the embargo would be rigidly enforced. With regard to the stranded .New Zealanders a cable had now been forwarded to the Government agent authorising him to make the necessary advances for their maintenance.