THE STRANDED EXILES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 233, 26 June 1919, Page 7

THE STRANDED EXILES

ALLIMu UlalltiMa.

STATEMENT BY MINISTER

A statement regarding the-, stranded New- Zealanders in Australia was made yesterday by tho Minister ;of'. Internal Affairs (the Hon, G. AV. Russell).

"With regard to tho reports-appearing in the papers this morning alleging cases j ■ of extreme distress in Sydney among the stranded Now Zealanders, wdd . Mr. ; i Russell, "the Government of New Zeaia'nd has received no official information in support of these statements, and I am inclined to think that'they are part of the propaganda that is being carried on in Sydney to forco tho position at this, end. No one regrets more than the Government of New Zealand the untoward turn of events by which, owing to shipping troubles-the delay of the return of our own , fellow-countrymen has been caused. Tho Government agoiit in. Sydney has been supplied with the necessary funds to mako advances to distressed New Zealanders, and in overy caso he accepts an acknowledgment of the advance' made. Every mail from Sydney recently. has brought a largo number of these acknowledgments, and they aro being , filed, Ho has this day been cabled nsk. • ing whether there ie need for more funds, ■ Ho has full powers to deal with any genuine cases of distress. Possibly there are some cases of a doubtful character. For, instance, a few <lays ago a request was mado on bohalf of certain persons, who alleged that they bad boon olßhtoou months residing in Sydney -for health' reasons, and who now demanded that tbn Now Zealand Government should 6upport them. It is hardly necessary to eay that the Government will accept no liability in such cases.

"On reconsideration tho Government line, on the aifrko of tht SolicitorGeneral, determined to withdraw .the provious_decision as to priority ofreturji to tho Dominion of various classes of (hose who are stranded. The entire , responsibility in that matter will now rest with tho steamship owners. On the , other hand, the Government will oxereiso its right, on tho ndvico of tne Chief Health Officer, to linijt tho number of passengers to return by any particular , steamer, if such restriction 6hould bo considered necessnry for the protection: of tho health of tho Dominion.

"Communications liavo been receivo'd from Australia asking whether the Government would be prepared to allow tho stranded New Zoalanders to como across in overseas steamers which have nrri\ted on the Australian coast en route to Now Zealand, tho Government giving a promise not to quarantine such vessels pn . arrival. It is impossible for any,-isuch promise to bo given by tho Public Health Department."

Referring to this last question later, Sir James Allen said that he did not believe the Shipping Controller would allow tho New Zealand Government to innke uso of a refrigerated 6teamer for this work, if to do so would involve a risk of the ship being quarantined, and the consequent delay in tho shipment of frozen cargo from New Zealand.

i'UimiEß MEETING IN SYDNEY, (lice. Juno 20, 0.5 a.m.) Sifdnoy, Juno 25. At a further rncctin),' the straudod.Now ZealandcM's reiterated their protests against the New Zealand Government's treatment in ignoring their urgent appeals for help. Tho meeting accepted offers by Wirth's Circus and tho Paramount Pictures to hold benefit-.performajiQeac'i A number of tho stranded men offorecKlo man a ship if one wero available. crew was selected, and a cablegram dispatched asking whether tho Now Zealand Seamen's Union, objects to such pro. cedure.—Press Aaaa.