A BAD RECORD

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 278, 20 August 1919, Page 6

A BAD RECORD

Tiie report of the Samoan Epidemic Commission, a summary of which appeared in The Dominion on Monday, is at some points less explicit than could be desired. It demonstrates clearly enough that the disastrous epidemic which swept the islands of Western Samoa last year was introduced as the result of a complete failure of organisation and a total lack of initiative on the part of the New Zealand Gipvernmcht and its Samoan Administration, but no really definite findings arc submitted in regard to tho degree of responsibility attaching to particular individuals. A number of persons, it is true, are blamed, but as the report stands it is difficult in most eases to determine _ how far individual culpability is modified by the general failure to adopt or enforce even the most elementary precautions. It is potsibly because there was a total failure of organisation all along the line that the commission hesitated ,to fasten responsibility oxpressly

and in clear terras on particular individuals. Almost unbelievable fatuity is disclosed in connection with the chain of events which led to the terrible loss of life amongst the native population. When the Talune left Auckland at the end of October last year the virulent character ol the influenza epidemic was fully apparent. Two cases of influenza were landed from the ship before she sailed. The vessel was given a clean bill of health, and was received as a clean ship at Apia. This, in spite of the fact that sho had been twice quarantined at Fiji en route, and that of her sick passengers one was so seriously ill that she died next day. The circumstances, in which the passengers of_ the Talune were landed in the midst of an island population highly susceptible to imported disease might well have been probed to the point of definitely determining individual _ responsibility. Whether or not this is still attempted, it is plainly incumbent on the Government to satisfy xi-sclf, beyond doubt that all possible measures have been, or arc, taken, both in the Dominion and in Samoa, to safeguard the islands against such another invasion ac any future time. Legislation relating to Samoa is to be submitted to Parliament during the coming session,- and no doubt matters of quarantine regulations and native health protection generally will be included in its scope. But if anything remains undone which would help to transform and reverse the conditions in which the Talune was given unimpeded access to Samoa in November last it ought to be done forthwith and without waiting for tho action of Parliament. It is only fair to note one redeeming feature in the otherwise gloomy record drawn up by the commission. Unstinted praise is given to "all ranks of the military, from Major Richardson down to the private soldier," for the admirable fashion in which they carried out relief work in the native villages.