AWFUL ARRANGEMENTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9172, 12 October 1915, Page 3

AWFUL ARRANGEMENTS

CONFUSION ON WHARVES WHAT HAPPENED ON SATURDAY AFTERNOON. A PROTEST IN PARLIAMENT. “Who was responsible for the shocking arrangements made on Saturday for the admission of the relatives of soldiers to tho wharves?” asked Mr L. M. Isitt (Christchurch North) in the House of Representatives yesterday afternoon. “Everything was done that should not have been done, and nothing was done that should have been done.” Mr Isitt went on to say that relatives of tho soldiers had been provided with tickets and told to enter by the eastern gates. But after tho procession had passed these gates had been kept closed in the face of a frantic crowd of relatives, while gates further west had been opened to tho general public. Then after a big crowd had collected one small gate had been opened for the ticket-holders, and they had been allowed to enter in a thin stream. There had been an enormous amount of pushing and jostling, and it was a marvel that no accident had occurred.

'Die Defence Minister (Hon. J. Allen) said the member’s statement was not quit© correct. He himself had seen part of what occurred from the deck of one of the transports.

Members: “Ahl” Mr Allen said the next-of-kin had been given full information through the newspapers as to the arrangements, which had been made by a committee consisting of the Mayor and one representative each of the Harbour Board; the Police and the Defence Department.

Mr R. Fletcher (Wellington Central): “The Defence Department was in supreme control.” Mr Allen said the ticket-holders had been told clearly that they must enter by the main gates, which would be open until 3 p.m., and would then be closed. He did not say that the arrangements had *been xierfect. .Some of the troops had come in at the wrong entrance, and had blocked the people in a cul de sac. But that trouble liad been remedied by the removal of a barricade.

Mr Isitt said the huge mistake had been the closing of the gates at 3 o’clock. The people had watched the procession till that hour, and they found the gates shut against them. Then the gates had been kept shut for five or ten minutes until there was a big accumulation of . people and a dangerous crush. Finally one small gate had been opened. Mr Allen said he, had made arrangements, after seeing what occurred on Saturday, for a study of the whole question of the arrangements for the departure of troops in the light of experience. Mr Isitt: “Thank you.”

Later in the afternoon Mr Fletcher asked the Defence Minister if ho would let the Harbour Board have control of the wharves on any future occasion of the kind. The board would be able to make better arrangements than the Defence Department had done.

Mr Allen; “The Harbour Board authorities were consulted.” Mr. Fletcher: “The committee was controlled by the military men.” The Minister said his , department would bo glad to have all the advice and assistance that the Harbour Board could give it.