RELIEF FOR SUFFERERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1918, Page 4

RELIEF FOR SUFFERERS.

In the Financial Statement Sir Joseph Ward mentioned that provision will have to be made to meet expenditure incurred on account of the epidemic. Tiue Minister for Health said in Parliament, on Wednesday night, that the question of relief had not yet come before Cabinet. Auckland had asked for a subsidy on public subscriptions, whilst Christchurcli bad recommended that relief sS;ou!d be on a national basis. If that recommendation were accepted by Cabinet, he continued, a large sum would be required. The Minister of Pensions also said that every facility would be given to widows to apply for pensions. It is satisfactory to know that the question of affording relief to the sufferers from the epidemic is receiv-

ing tho attention of the Cabinet. It is a national matter, and should be treated as suciiu The question, of cost should not stand in the way, for we are sure the taxpayers will not begrudgo whatever amount is required. '■ There are families in poor circumstances in practically every community that have lost their breadwinners; in many eases both father and mother have been taken. 'Hie widows and children should not be left to battle through life without State financial help. The present widows' and children's pensions, whilst helpful, are quite insufficient to provide proper food, clothing, and housing. The best course would, in our opinion, be to treat t'liem as the widows and children of dead'soldiers are treated. Whether or not the disease could have been kept out of New Zealand, had the necessary precautions been taken by the Government, it is difficult to say, but it is a striking fact that Australia, whicto has insisted on the quarantining of every ship, transport in-

cluded, that has come to its shores from overseas, is so far immune from the ravages of tie fell disease. It will occur to most minds that if Australia can keep it out, it should have been possible for Nev? Zealand to uave done so, especially in vy.e-;/ of the fact that we are even more isolated thani Australia. However that may be, tho miscbiet has been doce; we have the disease in our midst, and, Kiank goodness, we are coping with it effectually, but fine aftermath has to be dealt with. Each centre has been put to great expense in fighting the disease In Key; Plymouth alose tic cost vill run wc.'.l into four figureo. Hore, no doubt, the expense could be borne by tfbe Hospital Board, which draws revenue from tho whole of the district—from Pihama fca Awakino, and southwards to Tariki—ia which the New Plymouth committee is operating, but till ere are other places differently situated and not in a position to make a levy on tho whole of the district in which work has been done. For that reason, and for others, it would be more equitable for the Government to defray

the coat. In regard to the question of relief, tllris, too, appears to us to be a national matter. A good deal of loss has been sustained by the pooreT classes because of the closing down of the various towns, whilst real destitution has been found in a measure that is surprising the whole country. Families have been sick and many are ia want. Those people do not like to appeal to the Charitable Aid Boards for help, as that to them savors of charity. The Minis-

ter meets this objection by saying that "the Hospital Boards will give immediate relief in a generous way, so as not to Ihurt the feelings of the sufferers." The Charitable Aid Boards might well work in with the several health committees in this matter. In New Plymouth, we are sure, the Women's Healtih ' Committee could administer the relief most efficiently and tactfully, and in a way that the "official" body could not Ihtope to do. Wo trust the boards, if they are to administer relief, will avaH themselves of the services of flhese organisations, which are so closely in contact with all the cases requiring help, and can be relied upon to discharge their duties sympathetically and yet discriminately.