DEPLORABLE DELAYS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 199, 17 May 1919, Page 6

DEPLORABLE DELAYS

■A most intolerable state of affairs has arisen in 'connection with the improvement of the quarantine accommodation on Somes lsl. id. The only verdict possible on the facts is' that the authorities concerned are trilling inexcusably with the serious responsibility of adequately safeguarding the public health. The shortcomings of the existing accommodation on Somes Island are so well known that it is unnecessary ■ to enlarge upon them, But. the public have every right to lie, told why it is that although the imperative .necessity of effecting sweeping improvements has been plainly established for six months or more hardly anything has yet been done in this direction. As regards buildings, the total progress to date (according to a late official statement) is that the Public Works Department is now "assembling material." . In .what proportion blame in tiie matter rests on the Cabinet, the Health Department, and the Public Works Department these parties are perhaps themselves able to determine. Amongst them, at all events, tliey responsible for an exhibition of ineptitude which invites the severest condemnation. With all the resources of the State at disposal they have failed even to make a beginning upon a task that any contractor of ordinary qualifications would carry out with promptitude and ease. It is the worst feature of the situation that even now there- is no real assuranoo that a period will lie set to delays. True, the District Health Officer has stated in a report to the Minister of Public Health that arrangements are being made to alter the old buildings, and that the Public Works Department hopes to make an early start upon the construction of new buildings. As-ex-plicit an assurance was given, however, a month ago, and it is now evident that it was worth nothing. In. mid-April, the Minister of Puntic Health stated that arrangements were being made for the erection on Somes Island -of a number of buildings whiqh were to be removed from icatherston Gamp with the utmost speed. It is now announced that this plan has been abandoned, and that the Public Works Department is assembling material, and hopes to make an early start on buildings.

The degree of responsibility incurred by those responsible for these delays is measured by the fact that the result is in a considerable degree to rob the Dominion of an jmportant safeguard against the rcmtroduction of epidemic influenza. Advised, no doubt, by the expcrts,of jhis 'Department, Mr. Russell lias 'laid all possible emphasis upon the necessity and utility of ; stringent quarantine precautions.

' AVe have had in the case ■of the Manuka (lie observed the other day) an illustration of the necessity'for the greatest watchfulness at the present time, t have little doubt that had there not been a strict quarantine of this ship on her arrival we should, .probably have had ; bv this time an epidemic ill lull swing in New Zealand. . . , We have learned our-lessons-in. connection, with the epidemic, and .1110 people must make up their minds'to a policy of strict caution regarding ' communication with other countries where tho sickness prevails. So scion as the position improves, and the condition of the quarantine stations improves lo such an extent that they will be equipped to deal with any vessel arriving with influenza cases on board, Ih# condiiions will be relaxed to enable a.-restricted number of New /.ealandcrs to return to their homes. But further than this it will not be possible to go for some little time;

It is evident'' from the Minister's statement that the quarantine stations take an all-important placc in the organisation designed to prevent a recurrence of tho epidemic. On his showing, a considerable improvement in the condition of these establishments is an essential preliminary to even a partial relaxation of the existing restrictions- on -communication. It of. course follows that the same improvement is'essential to make the safeguards of quarantine in any real sense operative and effective. Avoidable -'delays in effecting this improvement are;' in the circumstances. neither to be oxensed nor palliated, and that. such delays as have occurred in the case of Somes Island might have - 'been obviated is not open to question. The matter of fixing, responsibility for these delays -may be deferred for the moment. .But no more time must be wasted. It is the.. elementary and imperative duty of the Government as a whole, and not only of the Minister of-Public Health, to see that the building and other improvements needed to make Somes Island a reasonably up-to-date and efficient quarantine station arc put in hand forthwith, and carried out with all practicable speed.