MOVEMENTS OF TRANSPORTS

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2359, 15 January 1915, Page 6

MOVEMENTS OF TRANSPORTS

—. — -c ABSOLUTE SECRECY ESSENTIAL. (By Telegraph—Press Association.) , . Dunedin,, January 14. Speaking to. a ''Daily Times'* reporter to-day, the Hon. James Allen, Minister of Defence, aaid it was absolutely essential tliat newspapers and all persons should make no comment whatever upon transports engaged for future reinforcements, wherever they are or may go. No reference at all should be made to the movements 'of transports, 'to their names, their fitting up, or to anything pertaining to them: Mr. Allen added: "I want everyone to understand this is done purely as a matter of safety in' the transport of troops, and I rely upon every newspaper and every person to carry .out this advice to the very best of their ability. I have good reason to believe that an important element in the 6afe passage of the first transport was the secrecy observed about • their movements, and with respect to subsequent transports we will take every precaution; we possibly, can to secure their safety. • It is possible that some newspapers have fallen into rather slack methods in carrying out former instructions, but wo must now ask that instructions already put before our newspapers in the matter of secrecy Bhall be rigidly observed in future."