THE STRANDED NEW ZEALANDERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 225, 17 June 1919, Page 4

THE STRANDED NEW ZEALANDERS

+-. MOKE CORRESPONDENCE. The committee of the. "Detained New Zealanders in Sydney'' has been engaged in an animated attack—by post and cablegram—ou the New Zealand Government in reference to their prolonged exile across the Tasiuan. Copies of eorreiipoiiden.ee, dated June 2, 3, and i, addressed to the Acting-Prime Minister, discloso strong feeliugs of resentment against the policy of the Government in, fliis matter. Since the above dates, arrangements have been made for (he Moeraki to make the trip for the purpose of relieving the situation. It is com plained by the exiles' committee _ that the Government ignored the committee's suggestion.? for a way out. of the difficulty; that* during tho whole period of detention not, a single case of influenza broke out amongst the exiles; that in regard to the treatment of the passengers as compared with' that accorded to the crew, the authorities made flesh of the one and fish of the other, and that had the same restrictions and system of inspection as was applied, to the passengers been exercised over the. seamen, tlie Manuka cases would not have occurred. It is claimed further that the action of the Government is illegal; that it cannot in am' way regulate from the Sydney end the passenger traffic to Now. fiealancl. The basis of preference in embarkation is described as inequitable and unfair. "After seven weeks' detention" (anvs the "people here nre far fiom being convinced ihat, to quote the cablegram, 'Circumstances nro being fully considered, and everything possible con(iistent with safety and prevention of recurrence of epidemic are being considered.' " '^