WAR ON RATS

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 3, 28 September 1921, Page 5

WAR ON RATS

THE DANGER OF INFECTION STATEMENT BY MINISTER OF HEALTH ’■ Replying to a question pity by Mr. W. H. Field (Otaki), the Hon. C. J. Parr, Minister of Health, stated in the House of Representatives that his Department was quite alive to tho risk of plagueinfected rats being introduced from Australia. Such rats, he said, had spread considerably in Xustraliq, through the almost criminal negligence of the Queensland authorities’ in keeping back information regarding cases of plague a month Jgo. Infected rats had appeared as far north as Cairns, and also in Sydney. It would be a difficult matter /to keep them from theso shores, but he did not think his Department would take tho drastic action suggested of barring all Australian ships from berthing. These ships were being kept away from tho wharves at night. This was being done at great expense and .inconvenience to tho shipowners. Special precautions were being taken at the wharvds to prevent rats from coming ashore, and cargo was only discharged in the daytime when tho dange* of the rodents leaving the shins was not great. There was also a bacteriological examination of rats caught on ships coming from Australia, said the Minister, anil it was only after the medical authorities were satisfied that ships were admitted to the wharf. A conference was being held in Wellington between Harbour Board officials, representatives of the waterside workers, and the civic authorities on the subject of the destruction of rats. The Minister urged that this was a matter that should at once be taken in hand in all the cities. There should be n clean-up all throughout New Zealand, and food should not be left about wjiere rats could get at it. This applied generally and especially to hotels and restaurants. Householders should see that rubbish tinq were property securer

The five rats caught in trans on tha Ulimaroa have been examined by the Government Bacteriologist for any trace of bubonic plague, and have been pronounced free of infection.