The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS. FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1918. THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 428, 22 November 1918, Page 2

The Times. PUBLISHED ON TUESDAY AND FRIDAY AFTERNOONS.

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 1918. THE INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC

• We not/ww extenuate, nor tr'i down auaht in vw.lice. , ' >

Dox'T be scared : be cautious. Be also cheerful and courageous. We cannot conceive of any better advice which could be tendered to the public at this time. Perhaps the most deadly microbe at work to-day is Fear, and it is not difficult to believe that quite a lot of people have been driven to bed by the dread of contagion. No one in his senses would think of disputing the seriousness of the epidemic, or of suggesting that the public authorities and private individuals should be less zealous in their efforts to stamp it out. As the Minister of Public Health has said, the epidemic is nol is matter for trifling with. It is, as t!ie Minister declared, a matter that demands the entire organised strength of the people of tilt.-Dominion.' But organised .strength does not find expression in craven tear or nervous brooding The best ally of those who are fighting the disease is a feeling of strong public confidence backed by unselfish community effoit. Fortunately, during the paM four years the public has acquired a keener sense of community interest and a clearer perception of the wisdom of common i.clion against any evil that threatens the common weal. Fortunately, too, the experience of the war appears to have taught our public authorities the lesson tli.u bold action on a big scale is often the wisest course, even

when it ma> seem unnecessary. In all pails of the Lower Waikato a host of self-sacrificing v hintary workers are doing their utr.ost lo a: -ist the sick and sui'fei : but there is need of many more helpers than are available. The greater the number of helpeis the eid r the work and the less likelihood of those engaged becoming " run down " by overstrain, All those who are

able to get about, if they are unable owing to their circumstances to offer their services, should at least do their best towards assisting their less fortunate neighbours. We trust that everyone will regard it as his or her duty to render whatever assistance is possible to the responsible authorities. Beyond that, the public will, we feel sure, loyally support every possible restriction that the authorities have already imposed, or may yet have to impose upon the normal arrangements of life. But, while doing all that is possible to combat the trouble, let it be steadfastly borne in mind that there is no occasion for panic, and that the greatest possible public safeguard in the present emergency is a stout heart and a cheerful courage.