WELLINGTON TOPICS.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 September 1918, Page 3

WELLINGTON TOPICS.

EPIDiiMIC OiNT TRANSPORT, HEAVY DEATH ROLL, (Special Correspondent), Wellington, Sept. 18. Whispered rumours 'have been in circulation for some time of a catastrophe that had overtaken one of the New Zealand transports involving a serious loss of life. The popular imagination, of course, conjured up a submarine attack, a sunken ship and German brutalities. Yesterday, however, the facts which gave rise lo the rumours were released by the Minister of .Defence, and though they dispose of the submarine story they reveal one of the saddest incidents that have yet been recorded in connection with the Dominion's military efforts. Hie men of the Fortieth Reinforcements left their second port of call, five weeks or so after their departure from IJevv Zealand, with the report "All well,'' but a few days later they were attacked by an epidemic of acute influenza and before they reached their destination 05 of them were dead and several others were in a critical condition. THE MEDICAL REPORT. Though the time which elapsed between the departure of the transport from Wellington and the outbreak of the epidemic proves that the trouble did not arise from any conditions prevailing 'here, the Minister has obtained from the Director-General of Medical Services a report which makes this point quite clear. 'During the period of their training," General Henderson says, "there was very little sickness among the 40th Reinforcements, only one infectious ease —of scarlet fever—having occurred among them. At the first two ports of call we had the reports from the ship and up till then the health was good. From this it is obvious that no infection was carried from New Zealand." The wholo sad occurence will be thoroughly investigated by the proper authorities here and at Home, and meanwhile the sorrowing relatives and friends of the victims of the epidemic have the positive assurance of Sir James Allen and General Henderson that no precaution was neglected at this end. THE BY-ELECTION. The selection of Mr P Fraser as the official Labor candidate for the Wellington Central seat, though made by a clear majority of unionists under the preferential system of voting, will not ensure an undivided party at the poll. Mr M. J Mack, the national secretary of the Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, will receive the support of a large section of the workers and Mr Hildredth, the National Government's candidate, the support of another large section. How the appearance of Mr Fitzgerald and Mr Harry Atmore in the field will affect the voting it is difficult to say just yet, but probably it will prejudice the cause of Labor as much as it will the Liberalism and so have little to do in determining the final'result. THE BIGGER ISSUE. The discussion of the by-election is showing a tendency everywhere to drift into a discussion of the general election. It is expected that all the candidates making a special appeal to Labor will urge that the present House of Reps, should be dissolved as early as possible after the conclusion of the impending session. Mr Hildreth will probably refleet the view of the Cabinet upon the matter, but it is by no means certain Jlr Massey and Sir Joseph Ward, after sitting at the feet of Mr Lloyd George, would be averse to going to the country while the war is still on. Most people hero think it would be intheir own interest to do so, and it may be the advice tendered to them on their return by their personal/friends. It is plain from the reports coming in from al) parts of the country that the inclination of the constituencies is turning towards an early general election.