NOT TO BE LIFTED

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10281, 16 May 1919, Page 5

NOT TO BE LIFTED

PASSENGER EMBARGO BETWEEN KEVT ZEAEAED 'AND . AUSTEALIA.

Tho Hon. G. W. Russell. Minister for Public Health, informed a "Times" representative yesterday that the embargo on passenger traffic between New Zealand and Australia cannot be lifted '•Communications," said the Minister, "are reaching the Government both from New Zealand and Australia, m-june the immediate removal or trie ,emoarso on passenger travel from Australia to -New Zealand. in view ot tno present position, however, it is not possible to accede to this request. i\ve nave had an object lesson in connection with the -Manuka, tile ca JK° steamer which recently arrived at Wellington with influenza on board. iNotwithstanding that the full medical service was made available tor tho crew of this ship, 1 regret to say that hve oi them have succumbed to the disease it has, 1 thinK, been abundantly demonstrated during the pandemic winch nas affected the world that the influenza baccilli after a time in any country run their course and die down, bat that when they are transferred to another country under dmerent conditions and are able to find new 'hosts/ they renew their virulence, with disastrous results. "We have in the case of the Manuka an illustration of the necesity for the utmost watchfulness at the present time. I have little doubt that had there not been a strict quarantine of this ship upon her arrival, we should probably have had by this time an epidemic >u full swing in New Zealand, with disastrous results. Therefore, x ask the people of the Dominion to be patient during the critical time through which tho country is now passing. We have learnt one lesson in connection with this epidemic, and the people must make up their minds to a policy of strict caution as regards trade relationships with other countries where the epidemic prevails. "So soon as the position improves and the quarantine stations of the Dominion are in a condition to deal with i any ship that may" arrive with intiu- ' enzi cases oh board, the embargo will be relaxed to enable a restricted nuni- ; ber of New Zealandeia to return to their homes; but further than that it may not be possible-to go for some little "time. How soon the. embargo can be.relaxed I am unable to say at present, but the public may rest assured that so soon as it can be done with safety there will be a relaxation of the embargo.'' STRANPED.: N'iiw ZKAI.ANDEKS.

Asked as to the position of the New Zealanders stranded in Sydney, the Minister stated that Mr Blow, the Government Agent at that port, had received full authority to make advances in necessitous cases; and Mr Blow had informed him that the total number of cases in which assistance had been asked for and advances had been made did not exceed three up to the present, '",,*'