MANUKA HELD UP

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10280, 15 May 1919, Page 5

MANUKA HELD UP

THE CREW’S PROTEST

DEMAND FOR TRANSFER OF QUARANTINED PATIENTS.

-The Union Company's inter-State passenger steamer Manuka, which was to have left Wellington last evening foi Sydney, was held up owing to the crew's objection to proceeding to sea until three of their shipmates, who are in quarantine in Somes Island, are Iremoved to a hospital on the mainland. They took up this attitude owing to wliat they consider the totally unfit .•(indition 'of the quarantine accommoU'Uiou on Somes Island, ■which they believe endoangers the lives of the patients. As the Health Department considered it unsafe to move the three patients yesterday, and the Manuka s crow were determined nob to give way on the point, tho vessel remains tied Up at tho wharf. The first indication of any trouble Hrith the crow was when two of their »lvipmiues who were released from ■ quarantine yesterday rejoined the ■ Manuka and told their, fellow-workmen the Conditions existing in tho quarantine hospital. They stated that all the patients taken from the Manuka, when, influenza was first reported on the arrival of the vessel at Wellington, ■were placed in a largo hut (the condi-‘ tion of which was reported in yesterday's ‘‘New Zealand Times”). The crow were indignant, and deputed one of their numbers to wait upon Captain Clift, master of the Manuka, and infox m him that until the three remaining patients wore removed from the island hospital the crew would decline to proceed to sea. The spokesman delivered his message to the captain at 10 a.m. At V. 30 o’clocq last evening a mass’ meeting of members of every departnient of the Manuka’s crew was held forward, and as the three patients had not been removed from the island, the ship's company decided to stand loyally together and refuse to proceed to sea. At 8.30 p.m. the crew walked on to tho wharf, excepting only tho men who were required to do necessary work on the vessel. The crew discussed the position among themselves, and ultimately those firemen, seamen, and stewards who live in Wellington went to their homes. The Manuka then

• fbcing . quit? inadequately manned, no- . thing else remained but to postpone her departure for Sydney until midday to-day. A large crowd of passengers embarked yesterday afternoon. Included in those nrqceeding to Sydney are a considerable number of people who arrived m Auckland last week by the Makurn from Vancouver. The general attitude of the passengers was sympathetic with tho crew, although a proportion were greatly annoyed. at the inconvenience • of being delayed in 'Wellington. Members or the* -crew who were in

quarantine m ''contacts” were indignant that there was no staff to act as 'bearers and gravediggers for the dead. This work had to be performed by the quarantined, men and necessitated their going into* the sick ward and after-

wards mixing again, without any disinfecting, among those who were well. They claim that the whole management ■and accommodation shows ‘‘an outrageous lack of .consideration” for the lives .jm“ those oh "the island.