IRKSOME RESTRICTIONS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1937, 20 December 1913, Page 6

IRKSOME RESTRICTIONS.

TIME TO REMOVE THEM. (By TelcßMipli,—l'rras ABE.oc.iaUofi.l Christcliufch, December 19. Interviewed to-day, tho Hon. Mr. Rhodes, Minister of Health., said ho could not understand tho delay on tho part of the Federal authorities in entirely removing tlio quarantine restrictions on Now Zealand travellers. On November 27 iho Health Department telegraphed to Dr. Cumpston, tho Federal Health Officer, that thero were only five cases of smallpox, which would bo discharged at the end of tho week, therefore the restrictions, including vaccination, should bo ■ removed. Dr. Cumpston replied that ho was willing to consider the removal, but would first like a report 1 on tho conditions in Xrw Zealand. This information was sent by maii. On December 9 the Department telegraphed Dr. Cumpston again suggesting the removal of restrictions, as (here was only one case of smallpox in the Dominion", and no new cases bad been reported since November 4. Dr. Cumpston replied asking for information regarding the distribution of tho eases, and the measures taken to ascertain 'tlift • absence of cases among the Maoris. Tlio inquiries were answej-ed fully at once, and an assurancci given that the infected districts were being patrolled regularly by the local Department. Mr. Rhodes added Hint tlio continuation of tho TOstrictions would only make tlio Federal authorities ridiculous, especially as tho restrictions had been already modified .In tho crso of Sydney, wlrore tho epidemic was not entirely subdued.