EPIDEMIC FIGHTERS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 111, 4 February 1919, Page 6

EPIDEMIC FIGHTERS

-ORGANISING AGAINST FRESH, ATTACKS

MEETING IN WELLINGTON

A well-attended meeting of epidemic workers who participated in the campaign of last year was held in the Mayor's room yesterday morning'. Most of the city l and suburban groups were represented. . The Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke) occupied the chair. In opening the meeting the Mayor said that the position was that from statements made in the Press and in a communication from tlie Minister of Public Health.it was'thought that there was some cause for alarm a.? to a recurrence 'of the epi.demic, but on making inquiry he had satisfied himself that thore .was not much cause for. this alarm. He referred to the

good work that was done by the-volun-tary helpers, in last year's campaign. He did not believe, he'said, the citizens realised what wonderful work had been done in alleviating suffering, and even in saving life, and once more he-recorded the thanks of the city to all who had assisted in tha; work. He felt that the organisation had been such a good one. that in view of possible eventualities it would not. be wise to allow it to be dispersed. That morning he had, in order to satisfy himself as'to the - position, rung up the Hospital and was informed that there was not a single case of influenza in the institution. The speaker turned to Mr. H. Baldwin, chairman 'of the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, for endorsement. ■ . '; Mr. Baldwin said that there had been

a clean sheet for-the pa.i in« n't',,. Continuing, Mr. Luke said that though that was the case, and -ft was fortunate that it was so, he felt that he was justified in entrenching upon the time of those present so that the different groups would be ready to fight the enemy should there'be a break out in the future. He asked the group captains .if. they were prepared to take action, if action were necessary. They now' had ships arrivingfrom Australia and from overseas, and they would all agreo that there should be no'slackness in kev'ing a . stiict watch on 'such possible sources of infection. If they got the assurance that tho.se present would be prepared.to put up an active fight and communicate directly with'him (the Mayor)' should the necessity arise, he would be extremely, obliged.. ■, " ■ In. referring new Public Health Act, Mr. Luke said that the City. Council had not yet developed its policy respecting that measure, but that would not prevent them' from coming to a decision, as he, felt that they iitsVd keep their policy in line with the r,ew Act. All ,he wanted was the assurance that all would fight as they did before—that they would carry on in the same spirit-of enthusiasm, which meant so much in the last campaign.

• Mr. H. Baldwin said that ther ought to find out from' the Minister whether fiople (cases or.contacts) .from Austrai were to be quarantined here or sent the Hospital.

The Mayor said that Somes Island was being used as a quarantine station. Mr. Baldwin understood that it wa? under the control if the ])e'<-nce lir-part-■ment. Where were otheir people to be placed ? The Eiverina was due here this week,

The Mayor: Is there any-word that anything is wrong on Jboard? Mr. Baldwin: No, not as far as I'm aware. .'But I think some-sort of committee of advice should be set up under the Act. The Mayor said that : there was no doubt that, where there was any suspicion people should be quarantined. The Rarotongans, were now on the island. Regarding quarantine, the Minister, had ruled that every overseas vessel should be quarantined for.2i hours after arrival as a measure of public safety. The question before them, however, was not whether vessels should be held up or' not, but whether they were prepared to fight the epidemic should it recur. He asked nil present to pledge themselves to fight the epidemic as they did before. Mr. • George Frost said ,that under the new Act the council was empowered to set up a committee to deal wilh this question. .He advised waiting until the council had set up that committee; otherwise- he foresaw tha't the committees-now being set up might be. in conflict with tho council's committee. .->'■■ The chairman said that-he hoped the meeting ; would not be influenced by Councillor Frost. He'did not anticipate that the operation of the new Act would interfere in any way with the' organisaIi on ' £"? P osi tion was. that Mist-week there had been tho possibility of another outbreak.

Mr.--P. Fraser, M.P., moved that the question be put." ■ The chairman then put tho motion that all present pledge themselves to nght the epidemic should the occasion arise, and that should the necessity arise workers would communicate with their group captains, who could communicate with him.' ; ... •Mr Hartridge (Eastbourne) asked that iiastbourne be. included as a »roup ■•■ ine Mayor said that Wellington activeJy co-operated with Eastbourne during the last campaign and secured its necessities from Wellington; The borough would be assisted again as though it were in the city. • , Mr J?. Bennett, headmaster of the Bnttomart Street School, moved that the larger groups be reduced to smaller ones so.that the work could be more effectively done. He thought that the streets oi each group district should be named' the chairman said ;that there were al-ready-30 group districts, and he thought nothing would be gained by creatiii" more. He, would be sorry to see any alteration made. - .

.Mr. Bennett's motion lapsed for want or a seconder. ,

Mr.- H. Tolan (Hataitai) asked ; the Mnxpr if he would see that doctors and ambulances were allowed to go through 'ho tunnel if another epidemic occurred JJie chairman promised to look into the point.

The Mayor, addressim* Mr. William Fosjfcr, said that the would be available for meetings, etc., ■ Mr. Foster said that he did not represent the Education Board. Mr. G. L. Stewart (the board's secretary) should be consulted. He stated that one important and expensive item in the recent campaign was transport. "He suggested that instead of leaving,.it to haphazard ar-. rangements, a small committee be set up to determine the use of motor-cars and ambulances. He named Mr. 'L S Drake as ono of the committee, The Mayor proposed the names of Messrs 'W. Pr.yor and H. J. Stott, and these three, were elected to act as an epidemic transport committee. It was also decided that a proper .form should be prepared and printed ready for use for the requisitioning of goods by the group committees.' The Mayor, in response to a hint about trouble with i the accounts, said that there had been no great trouble with the accounts. The trouble had been to get the accounts in.

A voice: They don't want the money. The Mayor stated that the committee had worked « month on the accounts, and everything was pretty well cleared up. • The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the Mayor tor presiding. No Fresh Casus. In reply to an inquiry Dr. Watt (District Health Officer) stated yesterday that no ireah cases had been reported to the Department in the Wellington health district this week. Only five cases were reported for the whole of the Dominion for the week ended at noon on Monday of last week—the lowest recorded since the epidemic broke out. Three of those cases were in the Auckland district and one in Wellington. The figures for the past week will be available to-day.

A CASE AT TEMUKA. By Telegraph-Prcus Association. Timaru, February 3. - A case of influenza appeared nt Teniuka, and the Health Inspector is instructed to take all precautions.