INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1919, Page 5

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

STATEMENT BY HEALTH MINISTER. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. The Hon. G. W. Russell states that it is the intention of the Government to stop the passenger traffic from Australia to New Zealand as far as possible, but not to interfere unnecessarily with cargo steamers, which will be allowed to come as usual, subject to quarantine on arrival to ensure that no member of the crew is infected, and thus cause no danger to New Zealand. WORK RESUMED ON RIVERTNA. Wellington, Last Night. Work was resumed on the Riverina to-day, and the vessel will sail for Sydney to-morrow evening. PROHIBITION OF AUSTRALIAN SHIPPING.

Christcliurch, Last Night. The business and commercial communities are gravely disturbed regarding the announcement of the prohibition of shipping from Australia. It is contended that prohibition might properly be applied to passenger traffic, but the most serious results will ensue if it is extended to cargo carriers or colliers. The coal supplies of Canterbury are very low, and without Australian shipments there is a strong probability that industries may have to close in three or four weeks Public opinion favors rigid quarantine rather than prohibition. The Union Company acceded to the terms asked for by the working the Koromiko and the Tarawera. These are: Full wage during the time laid up if they contract influenza While workipg a vessel and £SOO compensation in case of death. The men are now working the Tarawera, and will start on the Koromiko as soon as men are available.

Sydney, April 18. Inquiries show that the shipping com' panies interested in the New Zealand trade are awaiting further information regarding the embargo on Australian vessels. In view of the fact that the Dominion draws largely on Australia For coal and other suppiieß doubt is expressed as to shipping business being entirely cut off. The opinion is expressed that there is a possibility of passenger traffic being prohibited, only cargo steamers being employed in the trade. The Shipping Controller states ihe embargo will interfere greatly with transport programmes, as many arriving in transports call at Australia before visiting New Zealand.

THE LATEST NOTIFICATIONS.

Wellington, Laßt Night. Between April 10 and 14 there were 62 epidemic cases notified to the Public Health Department, making a total for the week of 112. In the Auckland health district there were 30, including 0 mild eases in the city (4 in one household), and 3 fairly severe cases. In the suburbs there are. 12 mild eases (-t in one household), 1 pneumonic and 1 epidemic type. In Whakatane there are two severe oases, buf the remainder of the cases in the Auckland district are mild.

In the Wellington health district there are a total of 21 cases. In the Wellington district there are six cases, two in the city (one mild pneumonic and one influenza severe), three at Kaiwarawara and one at ICilbirnie. At Napier there are two severe pneumonic cases'and six mild, all the rest of the cases in the Wellington district being mild. In the Canterbury district there are nine cases, three mild cases in Christchurch city, one at Avonside, one .pneumonic ease at New Brighton, and four cases at Lyttelton, of which three were shipping cases, all mild.

In Otago there were two cases in the Waitaki hospital district, both mild, in the town of Oamaru.

FOOTING THE BILL. GOVERNMENT WON'T DO IT AGAIN. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, Last Night. Speaking of the intention of the Government regarding the financing of another outbreak Of influenza should one occur, the Minister of Public Health said that when tne epidemic broke out last November it spread so rapidly that it was impossible to deal with it by ordinary means. Consequently emergency hospitals were established and the Government footed the bill. As far as could be ascertained the expenditure was practically £200,000. If a recrudescence occurred the hospital boards would be required to accept this legal responsibility and to control the entire organisation in their respective districts; also the Government would not in any future epidemic foot the bill, ad oh the last occasion. Referring to the fact that Wellington Hospital Board made provision in.ths estimates for a sum of £20,000 to deal with the epidemic, the Minister said there was no necessity to take that ct'iuso. The Act provided that in a case of' deficiency in finances the board, for the purposes of meeting the expenditure for the year, inigM make a supplement* ary levy on local bodies.

THE WILLOCMRA. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, Yesterday. Somo indention was expressed in Wellington to-day when it was announced that the Minister had permitted the berthing of the troopship Willochra Without, the usual 24-hour period of quarantine. The Minister said that only seven mild cases of influenza had developed during the voyage, and that all proper. precautions had been taken aboard. He considered it unnecessary to detain the vessel any longer or to send tiio patients and contacts to Somes Island. The popular view is that the quarantine rule should be enforced in all cases.

' POSITION IN SYDNEY. A WARNING AGAINST PANIC. Sydney, Last Night. The Government has decided to close the shops on Thursday night until Tuesday. It is hoped a general cessation of business for four days will reduce the epidemic. I The Medical Council has issued a warn- ! ing against panic. It admits the seriousness of the position, but. considers the mortality not extraordinary. There were 1850 cases admitted to Sydney hospital* between February 1 and April 5, the deaths totalling 291', tot It is pointed out that only the most serious cases have been serit to the hospitals Probably for every suok case 10 to SO less severe attacks have been treated outside.

Woods' Great Peppermint Cure, I'M sad CaUtj amr