TROOPS HELD UP.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 November 1919, Page 5

TROOPS HELD UP.

AUSTRALIANS REFUSE TO SAIL.

, "RATS'IN THE CABINS,'.' FAiDLTX ACCOMMODATION, ' Br Telegraph.—Press Assn.- Copyright. London, October 31. A number of Australian troops and their wives refused to proceed in the IWaimana from Tilbury owing to the alleged faulty accommodation and other arrangements. They assert they fonnd the cabins overcrowded and infested with rats. It «U necessary to suspend infants' costs in inaccessible parts of the cabins where there was scarcely loom to move. One infant had its toe bitten by a rat. There was no proper water supply in the women's section and the bathing accommodation for both men and women were lacking. Water leaking through the deck, soaked a number of hunks. The men also complained of the faulty arrangements pricfr to the ship's departure. Women and children were exposed to Tain for hours at the dock and were two hours on board the tender. Some were awake all night, practically Without food.

A combined protest was made to Colonel James, the officer commanding the troops on board, who agreed to alijow the dissatisfied persons to quit the fehip, offering a snecial train and accom- . tnodation in London. One hundred and twenty accepted, but no train or accommodation in London was provided There Were about 500 men on board, 400 (Women, and 100 children under three. . WOMEN'S TRYING EXPERIENCE. A number, of the men visited Mr. Wisher, High Commissioner, to-day, and made a detailed complaint. An official inquiry is proceeding and the headquarters' statement will be issued without Idelay. it is announced that the Board of Trade passed the Waimana. Ctfnefal Monash, after receiving a deputation from the Waimana, explained that she was a long time being fitted out for second-class passengers, mostly non-comnrssroned and warrant officers and their families, who had been retained in England for demobilisation fiuties.

The Australian inspection officers ''pasted the ship as suitable, but when the passengers arrived on board they immediately complained. It was a •'crving shame that the ship could not be taken alongside the wharf. Women with infants in their arms, also expectant mothers, had a long wait for the launch, where the accommodation was Snadequate. The authorities were powerless to remedy this, because insufficient launches were available. WITHDRAWAL OF PASSENGERS. The pkssengew who arrived on board the Waimana were m a miserable condition? The officer commanding the .troops, interviewed General Monash at midnisht on Wednesday, and conveyed the complaint of overcrowding. General Monash immediately decided that 33 per ocntihonld be disembarked, which was done. He then sent for an etfieient Board of Survey who reported that the complaints were justified, and thei the shin was not in a suitable condition for +hc voyage, even with a reduced complement. She was not fit to take second-class passengers %t all. General Monash therefore to-dav ordered the withdrawal of all passengers, and is endeavoring to bring the ship to 'the wharfaide. , He is also providing ademiate shore accommodation for 'the passengers pending allotment on some iuture steamer.