STRANDED NEW ZEALANDERS

Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1921, Page 3

STRANDED NEW ZEALANDERS

[BY TELEGRAPH —PER PRESS ASSOCIATION] WELLINGTON, Jan. 12. It was ascertained here to-day that there are 200 New Zealanders and between 300 and 400 immigrants stranded in Sydney owing to the shipping dislocation, while about 250 tourists are desirous of coining over. A boat is leaving Sydney to-morrow and one a week hence, and it is expected they will accommodate 700. In the meantime the New Zealand Government agent in Sydney is empowered to give relief to really necessitous cases. As accommodation is available the order of coming across of those stranded will be, first, New Zealanders, then immigrants, and then tourists. LATER STRIKE NEWS. SYDNEY, Jan. 13. At eleven this morning the Manuka sailed. There are no signs of a settlement of the shipping strike. Both sides refuse to negotiate, except on their own terms. Most companies are giving their staffs the annual holidays. Five hundred stranded New Zcalanders held a meeting at the Town Hall, at which Mr Blow stated that he had cabled to the’New Zealand Government, asking that a steamer be sent to the stranded people. He jhad received a reply asking him to try and persuade the Union Company j to carry as many as possible on the Manuka and the Moeraki, but no mention was made of a Government steamer. He presumed that one would not lie sent. He added that the Government would continue to provide for immigrants brought out under the overseas settlement scheme, but he p for other necessitous cases would only be given very sparingly. Three hundred New Zalanders departed on the Manuka, leaving about seven hundred held up. Indignation is expressed at the Union Company’s granting passages to Americans on the Tofua in preference to New’ Zealanders. Some 300 of the la - ter expect to sail on the Moeraki on the 20th inst.