STRANDED NEW ZEALANDERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 May 1919, Page 10

STRANDED NEW ZEALANDERS.

APPEAL TO THE GOVERNMENT.

The effect upon New Zealanders in Australia of the restrictions which the Government of the Dominion has imposed upon travel are the subject of an open letter to the Acting Prime Minister, Sir James Allen, which has been addressed to him by Mr. R. S. Cree Brown, from Sydney. In putting the case for the stranded .New Zealanders, the writer savs it is not their desire to have the restrictions modified in any way which would increase the risk of a recrudescence of influenza in New Zealand, nor expose any class, such as the wharf laborers, to' increased liability to infection. He contends that the present regulations arc unsatisfactory as a safeguard to New Zealand. He goes on to say:— "Those who are most seriously affected by the drastic regulations which have been applied are bona-fide New Zealanders who desire to return to their f.wn country. Their number is estimated at 30 or 40 at prisent, and they are being put to serious expense and inconvenience, apart from other considerations. The action of the New Zealand Government has resulted in confining them iu an infected area, when they might easily be permitted, under proper precautions, to return to New Zealand, where they would run no risks. Some are business men, who axe subject to serious monetary loss, not only on account of the expense of living in Sydney, but also through loss of business and time. Others are returning on short furlough from England, India, and elsewhere' to visit their fanfilies in New Zealand after long absence. If the embargo remains in force their furlough wili be entirely wasted, and they would have been better to remain in distant parts. ' This is a serious matter, as Eiich furlough is available only at long intervals. In some cases New Zealanders wish to visit those nearest to tliem who are seriously ill or dying, while others have been here on a short visit and have not the means to extend : their stay.

"One is at a loss to discover an adequate reason for the present attitude of the Government. The hardship is imposed on New Zealanders, it is not as effective in safeguarding New Zealand as a proper system of quarantine would be. and, though the influenza in Australia is, coniparat'vely speaking, mild, the embargo is the most harsh and drastic measure imposed by any Government to cheek the inroads of the disease. One can only conclude that, in view of the indignation expressed at the incident which resulted in influenza gaining admission to New Zealand in the first instance, the Government is seeking to meet criticism by erring on the side of severity when it is too late. I venture to suggest that what is required is cool and considered action, in view of all the facts, and a more scientific method of dealing with them than that of excluding passengers unconditionally while admitting crews and troops. "I can assure you that, so far as I

liave been able trt judge the feeling among New Zealanders here, they are

willing to undergo cheerfully whatever discomforts may be involved on quarantine on arrival in New Zealand. They would be willing, I am sure, to camp out and fend for themselves should accommodation prove inadequate. The bona fide New Zealanders wishing to cross are probably not more than 40 at present, i'.nd, as' about 30 returned soldiers are to sail to-morrow, it is surely possible to make provision for the civilians similar to that for the troops. In view of the serious position !n which many New Zealand people are placed, I trust that your Government and the public will see the necessity of substituting an effective j quarantine system for the present embargo."