EPIDEMIC COMMISSION

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 109, 1 February 1919, Page 6

EPIDEMIC COMMISSION

ORDER OF REFERENCE ■' WIDE SCOPE FOR INQUIRY Tho order of reference of tlic Royal Commission which is to make inquiry concerning the epidemic which raged through this country in the'later months of Inst year was made, available yesterday by 'the' Minister of Public Health .(the Hon. 0. W. llussell). As has already been announced, the ■members of the--commission, are., Jo .ba Sir John Ixlward Denniston, sometime a Judge of the Supreme-Court, who is to be'chairman of the commission; the-Hon-E. Mitchelson, of Auckland; and. Mr. David M'Laren, of Wellington.. The com-mission-is given the usual poweirs to call for persons and papers. Witnesses may 1)0 examined on oath or. otherwise, as ninv be allowed bv law. . '.Hie, instruction is that the commission report not later than March 14, 1919. Following are the heads under winch inmiirv is to be made:— ' , 1. The causes of the introduction and extension of the recent epidemic of in*, fliienxa ill New Zealand. 2. The best methods of preventing or dealing with such occurrences in future. 3. All matters connected with the arrival in New Zealand waters of the sj=. Niagara and the s.s. Makura in respect to their bearing on the introduction or extension of the epidemic. t. The administration of the I uulia. Health Department and of local authpriti&3 with regard to their, responsibilities in relation to the epidemic, and generally in rearnrd to public health. 5. The proper relation of local authorities to the-Public Health Department in respect of the prevention or suppression, of infectious diseases, and generally tin regard to public health. ■ G. The efficiency of the ouarantine arrangements.in New Zealand. .