BUBNIC PLAGUE

Hokitika Guardian, 22 December 1921, Page 3

BUBNIC PLAGUE

NO LUGGAGE FUMIGATION

WKI.UNCITON. Doc. 30. I)o. statetut*iiL that he had decided, not to not on tlio suggestion to lumi- , r;i to the 111 Oft: lOC of incoming passonors. and that prosecutions would follow failure to observe precautionary wamines against plague, was made b\ the Minister of PuDlic Health tu-day. Mr 'Pair explained that the I tion. proposal at first met with his approval as thoroughly reasonable, but the expert opinion of his oflieers discounted the danger of allected Hens coming in bv way of luggage.. Iho great danger was the rat. because llees seldom eame a-part from the rodent. The Minister continued that lie had ascertained front the Director-General ol Health in Australia that luggage going into ports not infected was not fornicated, while he had boon satisfied by the Government representatives in Australia that every precaution was being taken to prevent, the disease being taken out of Australia. While he knew that a rat might get ashore a-nd start the plague here. Mr Parr emphasised that the. worst risk lay in lack of propci* hygienic conditions in New Zealand towns. Reports which had rein-hod him showed that many of the eating houses and hotels in towns were profuse breeding grounds of rats, and he. earnestly warned local bodies and tlie cities to continue stringent cleaning-up. In fact, he was of opinion that, sufficient warning had been given, and those who would not take up their obligations should ho prosecuted. As a matter of fact, three prosecutions were on the list to fake place this week at Auckland.