CONSCRIPTION OF WEALTH.

Taihape Daily Times, 5 December 1918, Page 5

CONSCRIPTION OF WEALTH.

o PETER FRASER SCORES

In the House of Representatives on Tuesday, when the Liquor Bill came on for discussion, Sir Joseph Ward, in answering criticism respecting the introduction of the alternate issues in the Bill, contended that no member w.anted to nave the licensing question dragged up again next session, which would be a few months before the general election. For that reason alone he thought some conclusion should be reached now in the matter of licensing legislation. He maintained that the Bill was a well-prepared measure, and gave people the opportunity of voting on straight-out issues. Mr. Peter Fraser said that the stamp of compromise was very evident on all the proposals of the National Government. Mr. Massey: There was no compromise about conscription, Mr. Fraser (speaking gently): '*No, but in that case only human life was at stake. It is very different when tli e Government is dealing with wealth. Mr. McCombs: There was no conscription of wealth. Mr. Fraser; No, the Treasurer said it would have been legislative robbery. EPIDEMIC IN AMERICA. MEDICAL STATISTICS. POSITION IN THE CAMPS. Further particulars in regard to the influenza epidemic in the United States came to band by mail yesterday. A report from Washington dated October 21 stated that in six States the situation had improved. Conditions apparently wore worse in Pennsylvania, with 350.000 cases estimated, 150,000 in Philadelphia. For the first 18 days in October 14.805 deaths were reported in this State.

For the 48 hours ending at noon on October 21 new influenza cases totalled 6606. pneumonia 2079, and deaths 919. The figures brought the total of influenza cases since September 13 to 290.447; pneumonia cases to 46,055, and deaths from all cases 15,072. The Public Health Service estimated .180,000 cases in Connecticut up to October 20, with 262 odeaths. In New York, 37 cities out of 61, exclusive of New York City, had registered 1811 deaths from October 1 to 18. In California 25,000 cases had been reported to October 19; Nebraska reported 2278 cases and 66 deaths on October 20. In the American training camps the disease was particularly evident, and at October 8 the influenza cases reported from all camps since the disease became epidemic on September 13 totalled 167,000, pneumqnia cases 17,102, and deaths 4910.

In a report on the epidemic, Dr. William H. Park, Director of the Bureau of Laboratories at Otisville. stated that bacteriologists of the Health Department, who make their tests there, found influenza bacilli in the throat in 85 per cent, of the city cases. Dr Park said he was not certain whether the first infection is with influenza, bacilli or not. Pneumonia, he stated, seemed to be due to the streptococcus infection. “We arc interested in finding a cure for the disease.” stated Dr. Copeland, a. State , medical official. “Bacteriologists at our place in Otisville may obtain a successful vaccine. We have 96 horses there, one of those animals having produced serum valued at 325,000d015. This department furnishes most of the vaccine used bv .our Government,” -Strong measures have been taken in Washington to prevent expectoration in the streets, which is regarded as a sure means of spreading the disease.