INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Hokitika Guardian, 24 January 1919, Page 1

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

AUSTRALIAN A N.Z. CARLE ASSOCIATION]

INCREASING AT MELBOURNE

.MELBOURNE, Jan. 23

Twelve cases of pneumonic influenza have been admitted to Melbourne hosptal, three of which ended fatally. The Superintendent of the Melbourne Hospital states that cases of influenza pneumonia are increasing here. Some cases were admitted to the institution as early as the end of November last. During the past three days, however, several similar though move serious eases have been admitted, 'lhoro are now twenty-seven cases in the hospital which are undoubtedly influenza pneumonia, and apparently of the epidemic character.

One of the patients had been engaged in unloading a boat from New Zealand.

The Chairman of the Board of Health was not prepared to admit that it is Spanish influenza, or influenza of the Overseas type. So far only o the pneumonia, not the nfluenza germ had been discovered.

ANOTHER DEATH. MELBOURNE, .Tan. 23. Another influenza patient lias died at the hospital. ..tore cases arc reported. Some are receiving homo treatment. PRECAUTIONS AT SYDNEY. SYDNEY, Jan. 23.

The N. S. TV. Cabinet have decided in view of the reported influenza at Melbourne, to advise all the inoculation depots to get into full operation all the machinery that has been prepared. All other precautions will be taken.

ISOLATION OF VICTORIA.* SYDNEY, .Tan. 23. At a special Cabinet meeting it "as decided to ask the Federal Government to put into immediate operation, if the influenza has got into Victoria, a Federal-State agreement adopted in November last, providing that Victoria sljall be declared an infected State, and that all land traffic, with the exception of goods and mails shall be suspended between A ietoria and the other States ; also that intcr-State sea traffic shall be permitted only under the strictest quarantine.

FOURTEEN FRESH CASES. (Received This Day at 10.35: a.m.) SYDNEY, This Day. There wore 14 fresh cases of influenza admitted to the hospital. Ihe disease is obtaining a greater virulence, with each fresh infection. The Director of quarantine stales there is not sufficient evidence that the outbreak is Spanish influenza, to justify declaring the State an infected area.

miscellaneous news.

fAUSTHAMAN & N.Z. CAIif.E ASSOCIATION] POOD LOR CENTRAL EUROPE. LONDON, January 22. The Press Bureau states that the Allied Supreme Council for the supply of relief has approved or tlio-appoint-ment: of an Inter-Allied Commission at Trieste, for dealing with the countries accessible from the Adriatic and also one for Bucharest, Constantinople, and Poland. Tin* Council has reipiested Marshal Loch to take-steps under the armistice, to secure the transport through Dantzig, of foodstuffs for Poland. Measures are being taken for provisioning Finland and for ensuring that Germany observes her obligations to feed the Russian war prisoners still in Germany. EX-KING MANOEL READY. LONDON, Jan. 23. Regarding the Portuguese revolution, a statement on behalf of Ex-King Manocl, who is now living in England is published in the “Daily Chronicle" He says that in view of the new position and the chaos existing in Portugal, caused by the assassination of President Pans, he does not expect sup-mn-ters to he hound by the wish which he expressed as to the outbreak of the mar that they slijould refrain from any movement in his favour. Re >s nowise privy to the present movement, but lie regards himself as absolutely at the service of the people. . If they call him, lie is prepared to go immediately.

FO REIG NER S’ ARRESTEI >. LONDON. January 23 Three foreigners were found hiding in Norwegian ship from Rotterdam. They were arrested at Deal. One is believed to he a German or an Austrian officer. The others are Russians. Alt wore unable to give a satisfactory account, of themselves. The Deaf Magistrates elicited that two of 1 lie stowaways are Russians. They wore ordered to be detained until they could he. returned to Rotterdam. The third stowaway is an Austrian officer who recently escaped from internment. in Holland. Tie will he interned in England.

HOUSE FAMINE IN ENGLAND LONDON, Jan. 22. There is a serious house famine throughout England. It is causing growing concern. It is hoped that the Ministry of Supplies’ action in inviting lenders for bricks, tiles, and other materials is an indication that a. national housing programme is about to begin. Meanwhile, the local government Board are considering schemes by the municipal authorities for putting up 100,000 working class houses.

HOME MEAT SUPPLY. LONDON, January 21. Air Brickwell, director of the Cold Storage Department of the Ministry of Food states that a very large quantity almost a glut, of Australian meat will be available within a few months in Britain. The weekly supply meantinio will continue sufficiently large to meat all needs. It will not be necessary to continue rationing as during the war period. The cold storage capacity had been increased to 190 thousand tons by last October. There will now he a cubic foot of cold .storage for eevry man, woman and child in the United Kingdom. The structures have cost thus far over three millions. If the war had continued there would have been provided still more. This was now unnecessary. Most of the Cold, stores were at seaports. London lias sixteen million cubic feet out- of a total of thirty-nin e million. Liverpool, Manchester and Bristol come next. There are also smaller stores dotted about the midlands, but few in the north of England or in Scotland, because the consumers there object to frozen meat.

The Cold Storage Department intends to relax the control as quickly as possible and leave development to private enterprise. •

THE' PACIFIC COLONIES. A JAPANESE VIEW. (Received This Ilav at 9.30. a.m.j ' SYDNEY, This Day. Japanese files to December 20th discuss the Pacific question. The “Nicliinichi Shimbun’’ in an article complains that Australia is trying to monopolise the New Guinea trade generally, and attempting to prevent the development of Japanese trade in the' South Seas. The article enlarges upon the assistance Japan gave the Allies in the war, and asks had the Japanese warships not mobilised when the enemy warships [were ravaging the sea, could Australia and New Zealand be as safe as they are now and Australasian troops have ibeeii safely transported or German South Sea Islands so easily occupied. The article insisted on remembering these tilings. Tlio Australians are trying to check the southward advance iof Japan. She wants to utilise the captured territory for this purpose and j declared when the disposition of the Berman colonies is dealt with at the 1 Pence Conference particularly those ‘south of the Equator, any exclusive policy should bo opposed by all moans kind Japan firmly insists upon her right. ; Unless compensations are secured for [services rendered by the Japanese Navy, jtlic dignity of the Japanese Empire will he lost. Tlio entire area of islands [south of the Equator is nine hundred i thousand square miles. On these the Japanese Could, develop peacefully, economically and naturally . 'Hie article asserts tnat in May, the Japanese* had planned to develop their opportunities in the South Seas.

JAPANESE CLAIMS

NEW YORK, January 22

The New York “Sun’s” Tokio correspondent states the Japanese who lost 32 ships totalling 132.381 tons by German mines and torpedoes,'demand that Germany pay them one hundred million dollars for the loss.

THE FEAR LESSENED. (Received This Day at 8.45 a.m.) NEW YORK, January 22

The New York “Evening Sun” correspondent states there is less fear of the spread of Bolshevism in Europe 'as a result of the Moderates success at the German elections. A compromise with Poland and probable settlement of the Russian question seems to have solved the Bolshevik danger .

BEET SUGAR FAILURE. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) BEItNE, January 2i

A Swiss expert predicts the beet sugar crop in Europe will bo almost a' complete failure in 1919-20 owing to workmen on large estates in Germany and Hungary striking and leaving the b'eutk to freeze in the ground. It is unlikely the production in Ukraine will suffice for local requirements, as the peasants, who bed.ime landowners, abandoned intensive cultivation.

STRIKE TROUBLES. LONDON, January 21. Engineering and shipbuilding employers Federation this week discussed the industrial situation, arising out of the epidemic of unauthorised strikes.

MALCONTENTS DEMANDS. (Received This Day at 8.30 a.m.) LONDON, January 22. Smith, Secretary of the Federation censures the malcontents, who refused to give the forty-seven hours a week a fair trial as agreed by the vast majority of employees. It is pointed out the indiscriminate demands for a fortyfour hours or less, and even thirty hours, involve a. most serious economic question as the men demand the samepay as for fifty-four hours. Ho urges an early return to enable consideration of the grievances.

CHINESE BEEF. LONDON. January 22. 7500 quarters of Chinese frozen meat have arrived in London. FINANCIAL. LONDON, Jan. 22. Consuls are at £6O. All gilt edged securities are in good demand, owing to the stoppage of the war bonds. New Zealand Waitai shares are. 41s 3d and 33s 9d; Junction 11s and 15s. MILLION BRITISH IN ARMS. LONDON, Jan. 20. It is recognised that at least a million British troops must be retained until the terms of peace are signed and made safe.

BAKERS AGITATINO. LONDON, Jim. 22. Bakers arc for a national Iriko and Die abolition .of night work.

CHINA'S DECISION. (Received This Day, at 9.25 a.m.) TIENTSIN, January 21. China: h a » definitely decided to repatriate the Germans in China. 5000 GO WEEKLY TO CANADA LONDON, Jan. 21. It is estimated that the shipping and railway facilities will permit five thousand Canadian soldiers to return homeward every week. A simple FUNERAL. fßeceivod This Dav at it).ls. tx'.Jt.i LONDON, Jan. 22. There was it simple ceremonial at Prince John’s funeral at Sandringham. Workmen from the estates bore the coffin. PORTUGAL’S REVOLUTION. (Received this day at 9.25 a.m.) LONDON, January 21. The Monarchist leader in northern Portugal, Piava Cauceiro, lias assumed the post of Premier and appointed colleagues. The Royalist flag has been hoisted in the principal northern towns. Bands played the old National Anthem.