EPIDEMIC COMMISSION

Evening Star, Issue 16991, 13 March 1919, Page 4

EPIDEMIC COMMISSION

TO-DAY'S PROCEEDINGS. [Per United Press Association.] WELLINGTON, March 13. At the sitting of the Epidemic Commission to-day the Hon. G. W. Russell mentioned the various portfolios which he held to emphasise the fact that the Health Department was o?‘ such tremendous importance to the country that the Minister in charge should not be weighted with so many other offices. He made no complaints, but he felt that the Minister of Health should have more time for study and research. The country needed educating to the idea that specially-qualified men can only be obtained by paying adequate remuneration. The present position was that his officers had not the necessary time for study and research to keep abreast of matters of essential interest. In April last the department had given instructions for its division into two sections (scientific and mechanical). The latter was headed by the Under-Secretary. Ho (the Minister) had also projected a scheme for the reconstruction of the health districts, the number of which had greatly increased. He was satisfied that four officers could not control the health of the Dominion. Ho also laid down the position that the chief sanitary inspectors in the cities should be raised, in order to let these men relieve the health officers. There should bo an Inspector-General of Hospitals and a Chief Health Officer to consider the health of the Dominion alone. Every five years officers of the department should visit other countries to keep abreast of modern methods. He felt that it was necessary to liimself to say that no warning had been given him as Minister that it was necessary that New Zealand should take steps to prepare for the inroads of the influenza disease into this country. On the 27th September, five days before the arrival, he got a letter from the Seamen’s Union drawing his attention to the epidemic in ships, and urging isolation, fumigation, and inoculation. This letter was referred to the Chief Health Officer, Dr Watt (who was then noting) said that the suggestion would mean the holding up of every ship for an indefinite period, and that this drastic step would hardly be warranted by what was common influenza. He did not recommend inoculation. That report was received two days before the arrival of the Niagara. Regarding that vessel, ho said the port health officer was instructed to take certain steps to ascertain the condition of those on board and the exact nature of the disease before allowing ships to berth or communication to be held. He also notified the GovernorGeneral that influenza was not notifiable, and that a ship could not be quarantined because it had influenza aboard; but, if necessary, a proclamation authorising such step would have to bo issued Immediately. The Governor-General concurred, but expressed his regret if they were compelled to do it. The plain position was that the two Leaders of the Government were on the ship. He telegraphed to them explaining the position. Dr Hughes replied that there had been only one death from broncho-pneumonia following influenza. No passengers for New Zealand were suffering from the disease. The Hon. Mr Russell, continuing his evidence, said ho then instructed the ship to be 'cleared. 'The statements of both the Auckland papers went to show that the _ allegations that the disease originated with the arrival of the Niagara were entirely unfounded. The Chairman ruled that newspaper articles were not admissible as evidence, but after hearing the Minister’s evidence, based on the Registrar-General's report, ho said there was no doubt that sporadic influenza was in existence; but the doubt was whether the subsequent virulent form was a separate visitation or was a direct following on one of the milder type.