THE OUTBREAK OF PLAGUE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2371, 22 December 1921, Page 2

THE OUTBREAK OF PLAGUE.

NEW ZEALAND PRECAUTIONS

Wellington, Dee. 20,

In the House of Representatives (o-day the Hon. C. J. Parr made a statement regarding the steps that were being taken to combat the spread of the plague. He had been asked, he said, to have the luggage of all passengers arriving from infected ports fumigated at the, wharves, but his expert officers were of the opinion that this step was not necessary, and it would be a great inconvenience to (he public. The effective step to take was the fumigation of the empty ship before it left Australia, and he was assured that the Government of Australia was taking drastic, steps to that, end. Of this he had a complete report from Mr Blow, our Government agent at Sydney. With regard to the precautions within New Zealand, he urged that steps to destroy rodents be not relaxed during the holidays, as one plague-infected rat landed in New Zealand might have most disastrous results. The dan-

ger was serious and imminent

THE RAT PEST,

The district health officer, Mr Huggins, visited Foxton on Tuesday, and conferred with the Town Clerk and business people in connection with a campaign to destroy rats. People are urged to destroy garbage, and take other steps to assist. in the destruction of rodents.

Where the necessary steps have not been taken in this connection, drastic action will be taken against offenders without furl hey. warning. The IJorough Council is obtaining a supply of rat poison, which will he distributed free to residents upon arrival. In the meantime steps should be taken lo clear up premises, and it is possible that fowl yards near dwellings and in congested areas will lie prohibited. It is hoped that residents will cooperate with the Health authorities to wage war on rats and clean up their premises.