RETURNING SOLDIERS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12571, 7 March 1919, Page 5

RETURNING SOLDIERS.

IRRITATING METHODS. I [Pbr Press Association.] j AUCKLAND, March 7. The Port Mel bourn o was berthed at seven o'clock this morning. The returned soldiers aboard showed great impatience, owing to tho delay caused by quarantine restrictions ami “ hoarding,- ’ though they had already been boarded during the voyage. The first batch of Auckland men were landing on the wharf when tho southern "men aboard broke the gangway barrier ami rushed on to the wharf. Tho Auckland men on tho wharf shed then walked off the wharf, saying that as the staff had taken half an hour to pass four men they were not going to wait any longer. A story is told of a carousal amongst tho liquor and stores in tho ship’s hold during tho voyage, which resulted in a levy on the whole of tho men of Is 2d to make up the damages, which were ostimatciLat £7O. Staff officers, speaking of the trouble with tho Port Alelbourne troops, said that they refused to take any responsibility. The boarding dono on the voyage was according to instructions issuedin England, and it was thoroughly and efficiently done according to those instructions, but it did not accord with tho instructions issued here. The New Zealand authorities refused to accept this, and insisted on re-hoarding. It is stated that the local military staff iii "Wellington has a permit to go aboard the transport while she is going tnrough quarantine and fix up the papers during tho twenty-four hours’ detention, but tho Public Health authorities in Auckland refused to allow tho military authorities to go near the Port Afelbounic during quarantine. This is ono of the primary ( causes of to-day’s disturbance.