ABOUT THE MAHANA

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 255, 22 July 1920, Page 6

ABOUT THE MAHANA

QUESTIONS IN THE HOUSE

FULL QUARANTINE NOT

NECESSARY

Questions regarding the landing of immigrants from the steamer Mahaim in Wellington, when tho ship was infectcd with scarlet fe.ver, were put to the Minister of Public Health (Mr Parr) in the House of Representatives yesterday by Mr. P. Eraser (Wellington Central). The member asked if the ship had been adequately fumigated and if the Chief Health Officer had been informed of the scarlet fever in time to order thb ship into quarantine. Mr. Parr replied that tho usual courso had been followed, 'ihc medical officers of the Health Department had authorised tho berthing of tho ship, and, they took the full responsibility for their action. They had Taken greater precautions than was usual in the case of scarlet fever toy sending the patients and the contacts to the quarantine station at Somre Island. It would not have been possible to quarantine 900 to 1000 people on the ship on account of a few cases of scarlet fever, when this disease was eudemic in the Dominion, and had been iiero for many years. The med.'cal offers did not eohStiler that tiile safety of the public had been prejudiced in any , , Mr. Eraser suggested the extousion of the accommodation for quarantined persons at Somes Island. Ho said that at present , only 250 persons could be accommodated on the island, and it would not be passible to quarantine tho passengers and crew of a large ship.

Mr. Parr replied that extensions were approaching completion on tho island Tho accommodation would bo sufficient then for 300 persons. This was greater provision than most ports provided. The Health Department was prepared to niako emergency arrangements in the event of the quarantining of ft large ship owing to an outbreak of serious disease.