THE BRITON

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17687, 26 July 1919, Page 9

THE BRITON

SICKNESS NOT INFLUENZA.

IPeb United Phkss Association.) . WELLINGTON July 25. Iho Minister of Public Health stated ton? uu I, information received by tho Health Department was that the sickness on the Lnton was not influenza. That, was tho diagnosis of the doctors on board. J.ho femalo patient was in Wellington Hospital and the two soldiers were at Trenthain. in each case instructions had been given *? r * ' bacteriological examination in order tnat there might bo no possible doubt as to tho cause ot the illness. ACTION OF WATERSIDE WORKERS. REFUSE TO WORK TFTF, VESSEL. (Psa Usited Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 25. ine waterside workers refused to accept an engagement to discharge a largo quantity of luggage from the transport Briton, because it was reported that there wero three cases of influenza aboard, and tho union is bound by the Waterside Workers' Federation resolution not to work the vessel until seven days have elapsed after tho last case of influenza lias been removed from the sKip. The authorities do not consider that the cases oil tho Briton are of the malignant epidemic type. It is stated that the waterside workers will consider the position again to-day. As a protest against the berthing of tho Briton, which bod threo mild eases of influenza aboard, tho waterside workers refused to work to-day and all shipping work is at a standstill. '[The Briton's draft was landed on Wednesday, and the mon are now scattered all over the dominion.] THE WORKERS ADAMANT. AN ABORTIVE MEETING. (Pas Übttsd Pscia ix^oimTlov.) WELLINGTON, July 25. A meeting of tho local Disputes Committee was hold bo consider the stoppage of work on th e waterfront, but failed to reach aiJ y finality, and handed the matter on to the National Disputes Committee, which sa-t from about 3to 4.15 p.m. After the meeting it was reported that the position was unaltered. The union still demanded tho removal of tho Briton to the stream. A meeting of tho waterside workers will be held at 8 a.ni. to-morrow. NATURE OF DISEASE UNCERTAIN. (Pee United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, July 25. Sir James Allen states that threo medical officers hava seen the two male patients removed from the Briton, and- they are of opinion that tho disease from which tho men are suffering belonged to tha entorio group. The female patient, Sir James stated, was certainly not suffering from influenza. SHIPPING DISORGANISED. Owing to the trouble on tha wharf shipPing has been to some extent disorganised. .Tho only sailings to-day were tho Maponnka, for Pioton and Nelson, with no cargo, and the minesweeper Marguerite, for Auckland, the KiniL for Greymouth, and Kaitoa,' for Nelson. Tho following ships are delayed : —Kama, far Greyipcfuth; Katoa, for West port; and tho iVXaori, owing* to hnving" no coal in her bunkers, did not sail for Lyttolton this evening. Tho Rakanoa, from VV estport, with coal, is also idle. Th© Port Victor was to sail to-morrow for Melbourne, but is delayed for a day or two. Should tho men work to-morrow die will sail on Sunday.