OFFICIAL STATEMENTS.

Colonist, Volume LX, Issue 14870, 19 September 1918, Page 6

OFFICIAL STATEMENTS.

ti a > WeJlington, Sept. 18. , The Acting-Premier stated to-da* that, telegrams had been received inquiring whether the nc-xt-of-kin of those members of the Fortieth Hoinforcements who were reported to have dipd troin sickness had been advised before the names were- given to the' press. Alt the next-of-kin had been advised 24 hours before publication. The names of the sick had not been sent- because reports of these, cases had not- been received.

A question lias also been raised as to measures-that might be taken to protect .subsequent reinioi-eeinenls travelling by the same route as tho Fortieths had^ traversed. Sir James Allen remarked.that inquiry as-to t^ie origin r^f the trouble was begun immediately the news was received,.with a view o/taking every action which might help iv safeguard troops in .future. He thought little could be done vitb the ships. ■ Itmight be desirable, to prevent latc-i drafts from going ashore at certain ports where there might be risk of dangerous infection, br,t the Defence Department would await a report beforo- taking any action. / The Forty-first .Eeinforceinent's, who went by the'same route v v.-ere reported "Health good" at a port of call on the llth' inst. Similar reports had been received from ports of call in regard to the Forty-seconds (September Oth), and the Forty-thirds (August 31st.) The Minister of Defence has roeeivetl advice that the Fovty-second Reinforcements had reported "Health good" from the third port of call on j September 17th. i