THE SHIPPING TROUBLE.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 January 1919, Page 5

THE SHIPPING TROUBLE.

SHE CLTMAROA PASSENGEBS. ETEPICDMY WITH AUSTRALIAN AOTHOKXHES. AID FOE STRANDED MEW ZBATJANDEHS, rsbst"" v ~^' By T*lejrapls.—?rcss Asaocktioa. Wellington, Last Night. The Australian authorities lrnve jiot replied to either of tbe ci'.blo messages sent by Sir James Allen in regard to tho provision of accommodation on tie troopship Ulimaroa for Australians who desire to return to their country.

Sir Joines Allen said to-day that if a. reply was not received within a few hours he would send another cable message. He ha<t suggested that the Commonwealth authorities could use a tender to take passengers from the Ulimaroa when she reached an Australian port, and thus obviate delaying the vessel by any quarantine precautions.

Referring to New Zealanders similarly situated in Australia, the Minister replied that there had been no need for them +.O rely on the Australian authorities for financial assistance. The New Zealand Government had cabled ita willingness to help any who were in distress. He had no knowledge that the Australian Government had felt itself obliged to give help to New Zealaaders. The need for such financial assistance had not arisen, as the New Zealand Government had taken ovev the responsibility. One Australian estimates that about ISO people from that country are in distress as the result of the interruption of the shipping service, and i.hat about 150 others are also in need of places, as theii' tainess requires travelling between the two countries.

STILL UNSETTLED. (Received Jan. 14, 10.55 p.m. Sy.'.ney. Jan. 14. A two hours' conference ibetween representatives of the Union Company and the Seamen's Union left the shipping position still unsettled. The men raised certain questions of policy with which the company's manager was unable to deal directly He cabled full particulars to the head office in Dunedin, and stated that he expected a reply of a satisfactory nature to-morrow. Everything is in reiidincss, should a settlement be reached, to put the idle vessels into commission. OUTLOOK MORE CHEERFUL. .Received Jan. 15, 1.25 ajo. Sydney, Jan. 14. !A hopeful indication of possible developments is that the has been advertised to sail at 5 to-morrow evening, and the Makura and Atun at 3 p.m. on Thursday. Eveiything is in readiness iu regard to the ships and the crews.

Though nothing definite can (be said, the outlook is considered to be more cheerful

VESSEL TO SAIL FOR NEW ZEALAND. ' By Tesegrapi.—Press Association. Sydney, Jan. 14. The Ihumata mid -Joan Craig have been added to the list of idled vessels. The New Zealand Governjcnent Agent states that the Ayreshire will sail for either Wellington or Auckland on Saturday next.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.