The Influenza Epidemic.

Taihape Daily Times, 30 November 1918, Page 4

The Influenza Epidemic.

I THE COST FO FIGHTING THE [ EPIDEMIC. WHAT THE GOVERNMENT IS PREPARED TO PAY. I _____ RESPONSIBILITIES OF LOCAL BODIES. The Hon. G. W. Russell, Minister for Public Health made a statement on Thursday night with reference to the influenza epidemic. He said the medical men of the Department state ' that these epidemics go in waves, and : that after the first and largest wave has passed, other smaller waves maybe expected, which will gradually die down. That is 'the reason he is averse at present to relaxing ia single precaution for the purpose of preventing a recurrence of the second wave. Until the danger is completely passed it is desirable that.-people should remain in their homes as much as possible at night time, when the air is cold. Applications, he stated, had been coming in from relief committees and public bodies for financial assistance for j tbose whp bad suffered as a result of the epidemic. The policy which has been laid down throughout has been i that money expended by local bodies I in the emergency hospitals with the I approval of the Hospital Boards of the I district would be recouped. This has implied the necessity of paying some of the workers who have been engaged in discovery and relief work. In many cases throughout tfae Dominion persons have kindly placed their motor cars at the disposals of the relief organisations for transport purposes, and wherever applcation has. been made the Government has agreed to supply petrol for the purpose. The Minister thinks that in paying the cost of the actual relief, and for medical, nursing, and hospital services, the Government is going as far as it can be reasonably asked to go. The responsibility for the public lies upon the local authorities, and . it will be their business, to shoulder entirely the whole responsibility of sanitary, hygienic, and other work involved in cleaning their cities and towns for the purpose of subduing the epidemic, In connection with this phase of the subject, enormous assistance has been given by the Defence Department in supplying equipment from their stores for many of the emergency hospitals that have been established. The policy that has been laid down is that in all cases applications for payment of costs incurred must be forwarded through the hospital of the district, which, as far as possible, will be requested to certify to the- -accuracy of the accounts. To show the necessity of keeping a tight j rein in connection with matters of ! this kind,. Mr Russell mentioned that I one of the relief committees of Welj lington has sent into the department an account for £lO3 for motor-car hire, alleged to be payable to one firm alone.