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Hokitika Guardian, 29 August 1919, Page 2

The authorities require to exercise till care, to avoid a recurrence of another influenza epidemic, and the Westland Board is wisely taking steps in that direction in advance. From time to time warnings are being issued to the public in the centres, where, it would appear, the influenza has never been stamped out completely. There is the fear that with the advancing spring this year, the complaint may rear its head again somewhat generally. The Minister of Health referred to the matter a few days ago, and said that although there is no need for alarm the position is being closely watched. There had been an increase of pneumonia cases in Canterbury, and the medical profession considered them typical of the class of the epidemic form of influenza, though not showing the same virulence. The public can assist Jby themselves exercising care where serious or doubtful cases arise. In Christchurch such cases are being isolated promptly, and are closely watched. Auckland has had a mild form of visitation, though there wore several deaths. It would appear from this that, i" the centres where the disease had been most virulent, the germs were still prevalent. Between Auckland and Christchurch in the middle of this month there were'34 cases, eight being pneumonic, two severe. The North of Auckland and the southern province were both free of cases. This analysis shows that the authorities are, very properly keeping a close watch, and the public generally should join in the wakefulness, and not allow the epidemic to creep in and take charge of communities as it did last spring.

The Prime Minister lias been exhorting the people to “increase production” and “improve transport facilities”. As a paper points out it appeared to be one of the ironies of fate while Mr Massey was pursuing this subject,’ the news came through that half the sawmills on the main trunk line in the North Island were being idled owing to the curtailment of the railway services preventing transport and throwing several hundred men out of work. It seems scarcely consistent under such ■circumstances for the head of the Government to urge the people to do things—which the action—or inaction —of a Government Department, effectively prevents their doing. No more serious handicap could possibly have been placed upon production than the dislocation of the entire railway transport system, and we should be considerably more confident regarding the immediate future if it were demonstrated that Air Massey realises the seriousness of the situation and was using his influence with Mr Herries t° have it remedied. As we liavo stated many times before, New Zealand accepts no excuses from a Railway Department or a Minister of Railways when they fail to maintain the service. That is t,h?ir business. There is hope of relief now from Australia owing to the ending of the shipping strike. The situation should be a lesson to the authorities, and in the slogan of Mr Lloyd George, “never again” should so unfavourable a situation be allowed to arise within ,the Dominion. To achieve tills improvement the real cause of the present predicament of the railway service in regard to the want of coal should be sifted to the bottom, and the blame placed on the right shoulders.