INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 59, 4 December 1918, Page 5

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

CONDITIONS BECOMING NORMAL EMBARGO ON AMUSEMENTS LIFTED •HOTELS TO OPEN TO-DAY . "All the reports received to-day from all over the Dominion," stated the Min- ' ister of Public Health (the Hon. G. W. Russell) last night, "show a most gratifying return to normal, conditions. , ' The Minister added that the return for the "Wellington emergency hospitals yesterday indicated that at noon 131 beds were vacant. The admissions during tho 2-1 hours had been 11, the discharges 37, and the deaths only two. "This," stated Mr. Russell, "is the best record since the hospitals were opened." The Hori. Dr. Poniare returned yesterday from a visit to the King Country and Taranaki, and reported to tho Minister that excellent work was being done amongst the Natives. The division of t the country into blocks for medical pur- ' p'oses had been extended to the rural districts, and although there was an ■undoubted shortage of trained nurses, the Minister said the position was brighter than it had been for a long while. "Instructions were issued this evening," continued the Minister, "to all health officers that notice is to be served immediately throughout their districts that the stoppage of the sale of alcoholic liquor is , to cease, and that all licensed premises may reopen as from to-mor-row (Wednesday). The district: health officers have been advised that if for special reasons they desire .the embargo on liquor to continue in special districts, the question is to bo left to their discretion, and they will inform the Chief Health Officer; of their action. Decision as to Theatres and Churches. "With respect to other non-essentinl businesses awl occupations which were closed owing to the epidemic, tho following decisions have been come to:— Regarding theatres, moving picture shows, dancing halls, .billiard saloons, concert rooms, shooting galleries, and other buildings or rooms used as places of public entertainment or amusement, the health officers will decide as to whether the embargo is to he lifted in their respective districts oil nny or all of the ■ places named. . In this connection, it may Ire explained that the Public Health Act gives power to a district health officer to exercise authority over the whole or any part of the district. Marble bars • have been dealt with already and are now open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. It is not intended to alter these hours for the present. The embargo with regard to churches will; lie lifted as from tomorrow, and they may resume their hours of eervice after 5 p.m. Tho same remark • applies to public meetings, to which, after to-morrow, no objection will be taken. In view of the danger of the epidemic spreading to children, the embargo on the opening of all private and public schools will continue, as also will that upon all examinations. Race meetings, shows, and exhibitions are still prohibited. Sales of stock and stock auctions may be renewed, and auction rooms may also be reopened, but sales of second-hand clothing and bedding are not to be allowed. i Liquor Amongst the Maoris. "This afternoon I met Sir James Carroll and the throe Maori members of the House, and the question of tho relation of the Native race to the sale of alcoholic liquor was fully discussed. These gentlemen were strongly opposed to any differentiation as between the two races. 'I need not emphasise the disastrous effects that excessive drinking are likely to have upon the Maoris in connection with this epidemic, therefore I have to eay that if in any districts where the Maori population is large it is found that hotel licensees are allowing the Maoris to give way to drink, steps will bo taken at once to close absolutely the hotels in those districts." ... .....