INFLUENZA.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16423, 17 January 1919, Page 8

INFLUENZA.

AX ARCHITECT'S COMMENTS. (FIIESS ASSOCIATION TIXTCBAH.) WELLINGTON. January 16. Reference to the rccent influenza epidemic was made by the retiring president (Mr C. Lawrence) in his address this morning to" the annual conference of members of the New Zealand Insti- | tnte of Architects. "There is no doubt," he said, "that the congestion and overcrowding which, has in rocent rears taken place in the cities and towns of this Dominion did, in a large measure, helo to propagate the disease. However," that this was not the only cause, is proved by the fact that the! epidemic was not confined to crowded! cities, but was also found in the open spaces of the country. Thero is no doubt that the stato in which numerous families live, if itf did not contribute to the spread of the disease, is not in the best interests of the people themselves or the community at largo. It is to be noted with .satisfaction that during last session of Parliament amendments were made to the Public Health Act — amendments which give locial bodies increased powers for the inspection and condemnation of buildincs wlncli are insanitary—and it is to bo hoped that the powers so given may be used in the best interests of the. public. A Royal Commission has been appointed to enquire into, and report on the causes or the opidemic. »t« spread, the steps_ to be taken in the case of a further tion. and the housing, surroundings, and health of the masses. The members of the Commission are all well known, and aro men highly respected in their •walks of life, but the Commission -would, ■we think, have been strengthened by the inclusion of professional men who have made hygieno, town-planning, and other problems relating to the health and well-being of the people their closo etudy."

Sir John Denniston, who has been appointed president of the Epidemic Commission, stated yesterday that the date of the first sitting had not been fixed, and tlio order of reference had not yet reached him.