THE TROOPSHIP BRITON.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 July 1919, Page 5

THE TROOPSHIP BRITON.

WATEESIDERS TAKE NO RISK.. SICKNESS STATED TO BE NOT INFLUENZA, By Telegraph—Press Association. Wellington, July 25. The watersiders refuted to accept engagement to discharge a large quantity of luggage from the transport Briton, because it wa3 reported there were three eases of influenza on board, and ,the union is bound by a resolution of the Wa(.ersidcr» J .Federation not to work the vessel until seven days have elapsed after the last ease of influenza has been removed from the ship. The authorities do not consider the cases on the Briton of the malignant epidemic type. It is stated that the watorsiders will consider the position again to-day. As a protest against the berthing of the Briton, which had three mild cases of influenza, oii board, the watersidera refused to work to-day, and all shipping work is at a standstill. The Minister of Public TTealth stated to-day that the information received by the Health Department was that the sickness on the Briton was not influenza; that was the diagnosis of the doctors on board. The female patient was in Wellington Hospital and the two soldiers were at Trentham. In eacli case instructions had been given for a bacteriological examination, in order that there might be no possible doubts as to the cause of BRITON'S CASES NOT INFLUENZA. ' Wellington, Last Night. Sir James Allen states that three medical officers have seen the two male patients' removed from the Briton, and they are of opinion that the disease from ( which the men are suffering belonged to the enteric group. The female patient, Sir James Allen stated, was certainly not suffering from influenza. THE POSITION UNALTERED.' Wellington, Last Night. A meeting of the local disputes committee was held to consider the stoppage of worlr on the waterfront, but failed to reach any finality, and handed the matter on to the national disputes committee, which sat from about 3 to 4.15 p.m. After ,the meeting it was reported that the position was unaltered. Thel union still demanded the removal of the Briton to the stream. A meeting of waterside workers is to be held at 8 a.m. to-morrow.