HEALTH PRECAUTIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 33, 9 February 1927, Page 10

HEALTH PRECAUTIONS

INCOMING STEAMERS

Authority for action

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to "The Evening Post.")

AUCKLAND, This Day.

Dealing with health precautions, the "New JZealand Herald" states:—The delay in the granting of pratique to the lonic on arrival at Auckland yesterday was remarkable for two curious circumstances—the lack of any intimation to_ the "Health-Department before- the vessel^, Arrival that exceptional conditions had occurred during the voyage (this seems to requite an « "eial explanation), and the fact of the final decision .as.-to whether, the vessel should be passed, emanating from Wellington. W^ile the latter was probably no more than a formal endorsement of the local medical officer's recommendation, there is obviously an intrinsic weakness in the Health Department's stipulation that any doubtful quarantine questions must be referred to; Wellington. That was only tois;.-plainly demonstrated : eight years ago when the Niagara arrived with a severe . epidemic of influenza among her company to become "a sub.stantiaL factor in the introduction" of the .terrible.: devastation of 1918. A warning was given by the master of the Niagara'in a wireless message, but as the Commission's inquiries categorically proved^; the fateful decision ,that the ship might 'be -.cleared, was 'issued from [Wellington on no. better evidence than the answers to ; two direct. questions, neither :of which' referred to the ominous report from the Niagara's iiiaster.

"That .experience should Lave warned'the Department against the dangers of reserving for its head office the decisive judgment .upon circumstances of which it :could obtain.only an imperfect knowledge,: and: have led it to adopt the greater:safegnard.of placing the full responsibility tfpon its local officers and supporting their actions with all its authority.. If there is a risk of influenza being introduced from overseas the danger cannot be averted unless the health authorities at every port are not only vigilant, but are also armed with full powers, to act upon their own judgment. ".V. „ -■• -.-■ .;:■- ■ - ■'■■'.