THE PORT MELBOURNE

Evening Star, Issue 16988, 10 March 1919, Page 2

THE PORT MELBOURNE

DEFENCE MINISTER REPLIES TO MAYOR OP AUCKLAND. Wo published on Saturday the text of a telegram despatched to the Minister of Defence by Mr J. H. Gunson (Mayor of Auckland), criticising the methods of the Defence Department in landing returning troops, with particular reference to the Port Melbourne men. The Minister (Sir James Allen) has despatched tho following telegram to Mr Gunson in reply:— - Firstly, examination will be made by me into the complaint. Meanwhile I hesitate to accept rour statement about unnecessary boarding and muddle, without being assured that you have taken steps to ascertain the whole of the facts. Would you please supply me with particulars of tho nature of tho investigation made by you, and the names of the officers you consulted. Secondly, J am surprised at your statement to tho effect that quite without warrant tho men were subjected to 24 hours’ useless detention under the guise of quarantine. In view of the disastrous results in Auckland especially, and because influenza had been on tho troopship, and, further, with tho advice of responsible officers of tho Health Department, do you suggest that it was unwise to take precautions against another outbreak of the epidemic? The matter will be discussed with the Minister of Public Health so soon as I return to Wellington.