ALCOHOL AND INFLUENZA.

Taihape Daily Times, 28 March 1919, Page 5

ALCOHOL AND INFLUENZA.

The Minister for Public Health (Hon. G. W. Russell) gave the following evidence before the Epidemic Commission: — “With regard to the closing of Liquor Bars, the matter came' before the Cabinet. Before coining to a decision Cabinet obtained the opinions of Surgeon-General Henderson, Drs, Hay and Makgill, and these gentlemen were unanimously in favour of the closing of bars. The chief reason for the stoppage of the sale of liquor absolutely was that it was the opinion of these medical men that no alcoholsoaked man who might develop pneumonia had a chance of recovering. It would be futile to close the bars if heavy drinkers could obtain beer by gallons or take spirits to their homes. It was possible also that these people would make up drinking parties and so spread infection.” Whose judgment is to be accepted as to whether liquor bars should he closed during the epidemic? On the one hand staud these medical men of the highest authority, whose one idea is to save the country. On the other hand stand the liquor sellers, whose one idea is to soil liquor, and those who insist on having liquor (not for medicine, but as a beverage) no matter what the economic waste and moral ruin to the country may be. Docs any sane man or woman believe that in order to provide a sufficient supply of alcohol for a possible return of the epidemic liquor bars must be kept open year in and year out while there is no (epidemic? Or that all the year round the public must go on taking the medicine to cure something which is not in existence? The Minister for Health .further states (vide the daily press 15th inst.) that: — “In the event of National Prohibition being carried the Public Health Department would carry stocks of alcohol for medicinal To get. this medicine people would require certificates, AND ARRANGEMENTS WOXJUD BE MADE FOR GOVERNMENT DOCTORS TO GIVE THE CERTIFICATES FREE OF CHARGE.” —Advt.