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A.—2

M. l- , mi- , . Sir, — 138 Leadenhall Street, London, Ist June, 1909. We beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 25th ultimo regarding the carriage of persons suffering from consumption from this country to New Zealand, and enclosing copy of correspondence on the subject. In reply, we desire to point out that in the thirteen cases mentioned as having travelled by our steamers, six were booked by agents in the provinces, two l)eing second-class passengers. One passenger, Mr. C. R. Watson, was approved by the High Commissioner and received an assisted passage, and one, Mr. J. C. Smith, was booked by Mr. E. A. Smith, (he Government ShippingAgent. Mr. Gun we cannot trace as being a passenger on the " Turakina " sailing from London in December, 1905. The remaining three were booked bj n>. and we hold booking-forms from Messrs, Smith and Owen stating that they were in good health. We are unable to find the papers in connection with Mr. Lrvine, who was a passenger by the '■ Turakina " sailing from London in February, 1905. We enclose copy of the prospectus and handbook issued to passengers, in both of which the fact that persons suffering from any disease which is contagious, loathsome, or dangerous are not allowed to land in New Zealand, is clearly pointed out, and it is also stated that any one suffering from consumption will nol be allowed to embark. We also enclose a copy of instructions issued with ticket-book to the company's passenger agents, in which the same clause appears, and a copy of booking-form, on which passengers are required to state whether they are in good health. There is a footnote on this form specially drawing the passenger's attention to the importance of correctly answering this question. It will be seen that in several ways we take every opportunity of warning passengers not to book to New Zealand unless they are in good health. During the last five years, twelve thousand passengers have travelled to New Zealand by our steamers, and the cases mentioned are only equal to O'l per cent. Eight of the thirteen were allowed to land under bond, and as no further remarks appear against tbeir names, we conclude thai their health is satisfactory. In addition to the medical inspection of third-class passengers by your Department, all third class passengers arc also examined by the ship's doctor. We consider that the above observations and the statement of our usual practice show that we are doing our utmost to support the wish of the New Zealand Government. If there is any further information you require, we shall be pleased to afford it to the best of our ability. We are, &c, The New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited , ), C. J. Cowan, Joint Manager. The Assistant Secretary, Marine Department, Board of Trade, 7 Whitehall (hardens. S.W.

M. 12321. Sin, — 112 Fenchurch Street, London, E.C., 26th May, 1909. We are in receipt of your letter of the 25th instant, enclosing correspondence with regard to the carriage of persons suffering from consumption from this country to New Zealand, and asking us for our observations thereon. All steerage passengers by our steamers are examined before departure by a doctor appointed by the Board of Trade. At the same time the doctor appointed by the New Zealand Government is also on board our steamer watching the embarkation, and, we understand, passing the emigrants on behalf of the New Zealand Government. The saloon passengers are not examined by the Government doctors: but, so far as we are concerned, those passengers arriving in New Zealand by our " Shire " steamers, noted in the list, as suffering from consumption, are all steerage passengers with the exception of Pnterson, by the "Fifeshire." We are somewhat at a loss to make any practicable suggestion unless that of having a more stringent examination on embarkation. Intending passengers could be asked to supply medical certificates: but we question if this would be satisfactory, as the disease might be only in its infancy, and the family medical man might issue a certificate on the strength of the recovery before arrival in New Zealand. The only safeguard, therefore, is, as we have said, a more stringent medical examination on embarkation. We would point out that the list of passengers from the United Kingdom arriving in New Zealand suffering from consumption, sent by the New Zealand Government, covers from the year 1904 till February, 1909, a period of about four years and a half. Out of twenty-nine, eighteen were allowed to land under bond. This leaves eleven, or, say. two a year, who have obtained admission into New Zealand although suffering from consumption. When one takes into account the number of passengers, many of whom are induced to go to New Zealand by the advantages held out for that country as being a most attractive health resort, it appears to us a very small proportion indeed. At the same time we will heartily co-operate in any regulations which may be issued for minimising the risk of carrying undesirable people to the colony. Yours, A-c. Turnbuu*. Martin, and Co. The Assistant Secretary, Marine Department, Board of Trade, 7 Whitehall Gardens, S.W.