EPIDEMIC INFLUENZA

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 129, 25 February 1919, Page 6

EPIDEMIC INFLUENZA

EVIDENCE BEFORE THE COMMISSION STATEMENT BY THE MAYOR OF AUCKLAND By TeleKraDh."-Pi , eSß Association. Auckland, February 24. The Epidemic Commission continued its sittings 10-day. Mr. J. H. Gunson, Mayor of Auckland, said that on September 28 he wrote to tne Acting-Prime Minister inquiring as to what was required ill tne way of a public reception to tlie Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward. He received a reply widen said that.the Prime Minister an<l Sir Joseph Ward preterred that no function should be held, lor his (Mr. Gituson's) private information it was stated that there was sickness on board. The speaker Called on Sir Jumes Allen and asked v/hat was tho nature of the sickness. The latter replied that he did not know. Later in the day, when down \on the wharf as the vessel was coming in, he protested to Sir James Allen against the vessel berthing, and also to Dr. Hughes and Dr. Russell, saying that they would have to take the responsibility, as the vessel had not been examined. So concerned was he that ho again conferred with them all, and expressed surprise that the vessel was allowed to berth. Sir James Allen asked if he would like to have tho wharf cleared, to which lie replied that lie would very much. At this time the vessel was just coming alongside. Before leaving | tiie wharf He was advised by Sir James Allen that instructions had been received from the Minister of Public Health that the vessel was not to be cleared till the Minister had been furnished with a report. Subsequently he learned that this report had been 6ent and permission hail been given for the vessel to berth. On the following Monday, the Prime Minister and Sir Joseph Ward having left Auckland on the Sunday, ho telegraphed to' the Minister of Public Health, after conferring with the chairman of tho Harbour Board, again .protesting against the. vessel being allowed to berth, and pointing out that there were a considerable number, of new cases of iniluenza in the city. The Minister replied that influenza was not a disease for which a vessel could be quarantined, that due precautions wero being taken, and that the matter of allowing the vessel to berth was out I of his control and under'the control of tho Harbour Board. On October 15 Mr. Gunson said he again telegraphed to the Minister urging the gravity of the situation. In reply to a iquestion from the commission, Mr. Gunson stated that to his knowledge vessels were sometimes examined in the stream. He could say positively that the vessel was berthed before the wharf was cleared, and that it was possible for anyone on the wharf to shake hands with persons leaning out if the portholes of the vessel. Prior to the arrival of the Makura he knew of. several eases where a whole household was stricken with the disease after a visit from someone off the Niagara. Nothing came under his notice that would lead him to believe that there was any danger of sickness being brought ashoro from other boats when the Makura was due., In view of the Niagara experience ho telegraphed to the Minister of Public Health and urged that the vessel, should bo quarantined. Subsequently he again telegraphed to the Minister, usking him to give his assurance that the vessel would bo quarantined, and suggesting that Motuihi be used. The Minister replied that ho understood that there was only measles on board, but in reply to a further telegram he said he would do all lie could in tho matter. Further telegrams passed, and finally/ the ' muchdiscussed telegram placing the whole responsibility for tile conditions obtaining on the Mayor. AVitnes.s did not reply to the latter, but called a meeting of tho council, which nassed a resolution protesting against fho language used by the Minister.

Sir John Deiinisfcon said lie personally did not see how this pergonal question could have any bearing on the commissioif. 7

The Mayor said this was strictly in accordance with his own views.

Continuing, Mtr. Guiison said v that immediately on the arrival of the-Makura, and in view of tho doubt as to the Minister's action, the committee, after discussing the matter, decided, in conjunction with the local bodies, that the Malcura should not be allowed to berth. He conferred with the chairman of the Harbour Board, and it was agtreed that if tho vessel camo in tho Harboua- Board's officials should not work tlie wharf. After Dr. Frengley had examined tho vessel he decided that she should not lie put in. AVitness protested to the Minister against the lack of provision of quarantine faciliies tho month before this. He had urged on the Minister and the Acting Prime Minister that quarantine facilities should ■be arranged, but apparently nothing'had been done. Tho Chief Health Officer of tho Dominion then came to Auckland, and witness learned a week after the arrival of the Makura that the passengers were' to be secretly landed at St. Heliers. Personally, the speaker • could not credit such a thing, bu.t learned in the evening from the Chief Health Officer that the report was correct and that the passengers were, on their way to Auckland. He protested against this, in view of tho fact that tho passengers, to the numuer .of 75 or more, were being allowed to come into Auckland within 2Jhours after leaving an infected ship. In reply to a question, witness said ho did not share the view that Motuihi was not suitable for a. quarantine station. It was vary suitable. But he did hold that the Health Department was greatly to blame for its condition and its total inadequacy of building and other accommodation. 11l his opinion, if tho tiling were handled efficiently they could get adequate accommodation there within a week's time. He was satisfied that if Dr. Frengley and Dr. Hughe.s had had their way adequate provision would have been made—provision which was not made owing to the incompetence of the Department. If tho Defence Department required the island it clearly becamo I lis duly of the Health Department to iind some other place.