THE INTERNED WAIRUNA MEN

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 158, 23 March 1918, Page 6

THE INTERNED WAIRUNA MEN

PROVISION FOR THEIR DEPENDANTS. ■ By Telegraph—Press Association. Dunodin, March 22. The Minister of Marine, the Hoiu T. M. Wilford, hud an important question before him to-day concerning the dependants of the Wairuna men now interned in Germany. Two days ago. information as to the internment appeared in the cablegrams, and the .Minister at onco looked into "the position in tho interests of the relatives of the men. Yesterday Mr. Wilford met Mr. Aiken, general manager of the Union Company, and arranged with him that the company shall make provisional payments to the dependants. Mr. Aikeii stated that ho will at once in* struct branches throughout New Zealand to investigate the claims and pay where necessary. This procedure will do away with any hardships which might easily ariso during the period which must lapse until application forms for assistance propprlv signed arrive in New Zealand. Mr. Wilford, speaking to a reporter,, said: "I may state for the comfort of the relatives of those interned that the Union Company has arranged with its London office to send weekly parcels to the interned men, as well as small allowances of cash. I think this will moot the' difficulty in the interest of the men and of tho e'enendants without any delay."