KEEPING OUT DISEASE

Taihape Daily Times, 30 November 1918, Page 5

KEEPING OUT DISEASE

i DIFFERENCE BETWEEN MINISTER AND MAYOR. MR. GUNBON HITS OUT. The statement made by the Hon. G. W. Russell. Minister of Public Health, in Wellington,, that measles were rife in Auckland at present, was referred to the Mayor (Mr J. H. Gunson' yesterday morning. Mr. Gunson said he had conferred with Dr. Maguire. Medical Superintendent of the Auckland Hospital, on Thursday, and with the chairman of the Hospital Board yesterday morning, in reference to the question of measles. He had read the Minister's statement with profound surprise. "I have no hesitation in saying," ho stated "that the statement as reported is toally contrary to fact, and constitutes a grave libel on the condition of public health in this city, and if the Minister thinks by a statement of this Kind he is going ,to excuse the slackness of his Department, or pave the way for the introduction of measles into Auckland owing to slackness in regard to overseas ships, he is labouring under a great delusion. I say now, after conferring with the chairman of the Hospital Board, that if the Minister of Public Health is not going to protect this community,, it will become my ■ duty as Mayor of the city to take adequate steps to afford that protection which is over due. I shall not hesitate to take any steps the circumstances demand, and in this I shall look for the support of fthe citizens; in fact, of all sections of the community as we are not going to have any repetition, which ciii) be avoided —and I believe it can be avoided —of the disastrous epidemic, or any kindred siskness, with which we have been afflicted during the past month. I speak in these terms with a full sense of responsibili ity and on quite impersonal grounds."

THE MAYOR'S TELEGRAM.

1 -»~_— The Mayor of Auckland sent the following telegram to the Minister for Public Health:—' "I have conferred with Dr. Frengley and I desire now to formally protest against, any shipping berthing and discharging passengers at Auckland when they have infectious disease or sickj ness'on board without undergoing quar- , antinc. I draw your attention to tho increased restrictions in other Pacific ports, and our community here will not tolerate any slackut>ss. Regarding the quarantine station, in view of the fact that the Alinister for Defence allvises the impossibility of giving up Motuihi I recommend you to commandeer Ivawau Island, where there is adequate housing accommodation and deep water for overseas ships." * ■ • RUSSELL REPLIES TO GUNSON. ' AN ANGRY MINISTER'S VAPOURINGS. "GO' AND CLEAN UP YOUR FILTHY ' SLUMS." ! A WARNING AND A THREAT. WELLINGTON, this day. The Minister for Health (Hon. G. W. Russell) has sent the following reply j to Mr. Gunson. Mayor of Auckland: ; The statement I made will not be contradicted by me, or any assertions made by you in opposition to the information I have received. It appears to mo that by endeavouring to inflame the people of Auckland against the Public Health Department you are seeking to distract public attention from the revolting conditions proved to exist in your city. As Minister, I am acting on the advice of experienced scientific men, which I prefer to that received from you. Papers here quote you as saying, "That if the Minister will not protect this community, it will become my duty as Mayor to take adequate steps to afford the protection which is due." Well, go and do it. Now clean up the ' filthy slums and . disease-breeding places in your city. There lies your opportunity. Please also remember you must obey the law, and set tho example. If you choose to take mat ters into your own hands and defy the law, you will find that I, as Minister, I will carry out my responsibilities to j the letter without fear."