SIR JOSEPH WARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 3 July 1917, Page 1

SIR JOSEPH WARD.

TROUBLES OF WARTIME, TRA VELLING DESCRIBED.

Sir Joseph Ward interviewed stated that war conditions had made travelling to and from England by any route hot h difficul tand dangerous. Both going and coming the vessels lie hail travelled on across the ocean absolutely without lights . He described this as somewhat uncanny as "apart from submarine and floating mine danger there was the added danger of collision A vessel left the English port of departure after nightfall and ordinary passengers did not known until they were on board the name of (ho vessel with which to make the journey. In the majority of eases passengers are told to travel by a specialjfcrain from a central railway station and they do not know even the port of embarkation Once out in. stream for several days perhaps, a- week and no communication is allowed with the shore, this being do» e of course to prevent information drifting to the enemy. “Wo passed right through the danger zone lie continued, “and some idea of the real danger may be learned from the fact that anSOOO ton vessel which wo passed the first day out at about noon going jn tln>.same direction as our ship was torpedoed shortly after we passed her. Another phase is that lifebelts. Every passenger is compelled to 'wear a lifebelt throughout tho whole trip cross aad it is rather an interesting sight to see passengers f'J.fng into the saloon for meals with lifebelts in their hands. They are carried •"iit just in the same way as a hat and the passengers are never without their belt and so danger is being constantly impressed upon them. Boats are all swung out. and read to b t 7 immediately lowered. It will be understood .i-therefore what precautions are being everywhere taken in regard to possible accident.”'