DELAY OF THE TAHITI

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2567, 15 September 1915, Page 6

DELAY OF THE TAHITI

DISCUSSED IN THE HOUSE SOLDIERS LEAVE BY FERRY STEAMER The unfortunate delay in the dispatch of the transport Tahiti from Wellington with the sick snd wounded for tbo South was tho subject of several questions without notice in Parliament yesterday. Mr. H. G. EU (Ohristohurch South) asked the Minister of Defence what arrangements had been made to get the men homo to their friends, who were very anxious to meet them? The Minister of Defence (the Hon. J. Allen), in reply, said that ho wanted to express his deep regret at the delay which had taken place. They had hoped to bo able to send the vessel away on Saturday- night, but unfortunately the articles to which the crew and fire-, men signed on wero to Welb'ngton, and tho men demanded their discharge. They were asked to continue the trip, but they did not find themselves in a position to do go.. He regretted/that the crew did not take the vessel on then, and he- regretted that the soldiers were not-sent away by the ordinary ferry on Monday. Ho.went away with a full belief that an arrangement would be arrived at with the firemen and crew, but unfortunately that arrangement did not eventuate. The arrangement now v was to send the men on that day (Tuesday) whether the Tahiti went or not. Fortunately the Warrimoo was goins» to Dunedin, and the Dunedin men would go on her, and the others by the Monowai in the evening. _ He was very sorry any trouble had arisen, and thought that the whole country regretted it. , , , Mr. G. Witty (RiccaTton) asked why the Government, realising that the men with £40 coming to' them were not likely to go on, did not take stepis to have a crew.in roadiness, as the parents and relatives of the returned men had been waiting all along the line for the last day or two. Mr. Allen: I had ho anticipation that men having £40 coming to them would hesitate to ■ take sick men to . their homes.

Mr.. Witty: This is.the crew's home. Mr. Allen: I am not going' to blame theni. I say I had no anticipation of this. Mr. C. H. Poole asked if the Minister would state whether .any reason had been given him bv the crew for their refusal to. sign new articles. Mr. Allen said that he ,had had the matter before him, but. as negotiations were in progress lie did not think it desirable to say anything at present.