INFANTILE PARALYSIS

Hokitika Guardian, 31 March 1925, Page 3

INFANTILE PARALYSIS

[by TELvGltArn PEB PRESS ASSOCIATION

SPORTS ABANDONED. WAIMATE, March 30,

The Waimate United Friendly Societies abandoned their sports, which were to have been held on April 11th. owing to the infantile paralysis epidemic.

EPIDEMIC NOW ABATING. WELLINGTON, March 31

It appears from tile returns that the infantile paralysis epidemic is now abating, as during the 2-1 hours end- ■ mg at 9 a.m. to-dav, notificniiions numbering only eleven were reported these being Avondale, Takapuna, Wangaeliu, Merton, Christchurch, Oamani. St. Kilda one each, and Kaikoura two. The chief medical officers meet oil Friday and expect to make a recommendation with respect whether or not the schools should be reopened alter Easter. RESTRICTIONS HANDICAP TRADE. AUCKLAND, March 21). I lie restrictions imposed by the* Health authorities to combs! the epidemic of infantile paralysis have placed a scrioi's handicap upon trade. From the general appeaiame of Queen Street, it might have been thought that the health restrictions were not keeping women at home, but the crowd does not mean trade. Thousands of mothers have been staying at home, and- when they have had to go out .shopping, they have no inclination to do what, is shopping in earnest. It is not surp;isiug that a mother who carries her dread from day to day does not find in the fashions much to interest her deeply. ‘‘[ regard the period as one of onI'urced saving,” said one nuthnritconsulted, ‘’and trade channels will have a full flow when the epidemic passes, and people (an buy with good heart. The restrictions have had ; much wider ell'ect. than restraining local trade,-however. It has been stated officially that as a result of the restrictions, there lias been a drop of half a million in railway passengers, and this means a great, deal to the shops, and also to hotels and boarding houses, businesses whicli do not depend entirely upon the local population. The moment railway traffic is slack business becomes more or less slack. Tin's fis proved by the Inct that Faster is regarded as a second Christmas season in the soft goods trade. ' [ was surprised to hear from a land agent the other day that the epidemic had affected his business. The danger of infection being brought to houses by strangers has caused nninv houses to be withdrawn Irom the market.”