EPIDEMIC AFTERMATH.

Gisborne Times, Volume L, Issue 5072, 15 January 1919, Page 6

EPIDEMIC AFTERMATH.

* HEALTH DEPARTMENT CRITICISED.

LOCAL BODIES’ RESOLUTIONS

Criticism of the Public Health Department in respect to fts administration during, the influenza epidemic was contained in a number of letters from various local authorities read at last night’s meeting of the Borough Council, the Mayor (Mr. W. G. Sherratt) presiding. The Town Clerk forwarded a copy of the following resolution passed by by the Napier Borough Council regarding the recent epidemic—“ That having regard to the serious loss of life arising from the epidemic throughout the Dominion, and the fact that the Public Health Department did not take at the outset proper and necessary precautions to deal with the matter, this Council respectfully requests the. Government of New Zealand to set up a Royal Commission to inquire into and take evidence in those boroughs where public hospitals "are situated as to how the epidemic was dealt with in such places, and that a copy of this resolution be sent to every City Borough and County Council throughout the Dominion urging upon 'such Councils the necessity of their endorsing the same and forwarding to the Acting-Prime Minister with the least possible delay a similar resolution.”

The Hastings Borough Council forwarded a copy of the following resolution :—-“That the Council of the Borough of Hastings- strongly recommends the Government of New Zealand the urgent and absolute necessity of strengthening the financial position of the Public Health Deyr? tment so as to extend its power, s and functions to enable it at all times to successfully combat and control any epidemic that may attack the community ; that a scheme be evolved whereby the bacteriological work of the department may be extended in every direction, that such salaries he offered as to induce and encourage men of great scientific ability to offer their services and that each and every local authority in the Dominion be asked to support this resolution.” Tlie Hawera Borougli Council, in a circular letter forwarded a copy of the following resolutions passed at a recent meeting of that body:—(1) That this Council views with alarm the want of proper administration of the Health Department.- as is evidenced bv the events of the past two or three months, and we would respectfully urge upon the Government tlie necessity for s° arranging that the administration of this department shall toe placed oh such a basis as shall command the respect and the confidence of the people of this Dominion.' _ (2) The Council suggests the appointment of one health officer for each hospital district.- (3) That a resident medical man shall be appointed as health officer for e ach provincial district in the Dominion. ' ■ , The Mayor said that he understood a Commission had been set up. As far as tlie Hastings Borough Council wap concerned, they urged that the financial position of the Department should' be strengthened. He moved that the letter sshould be answered, pointing out that a Royal Commission had been set up and that after its report was received the Government could be urged to adopt the recommendations. The motion was carried.