PRECAUTIONS AGAINST PLAGUE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, 29 October 1921, Page 5

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST PLAGUE

REFERENCE IN THE HOUSE

(United Press Association.)

WELLINGTON, This Day,

TJhj plaguo position in Queensland, which ho deemed serious, was referred to by Dr Thacker in tho House yesterday. Ho asked the Minister of Health if EoNvould consider taking very special, extraordinary, and urgent precautions to prevent the introduction iof plaguo in New Zealand. As the flea, was an agent for transferring a germ from a rat to a human being, wbuld he see that all animals should be well and thoroughly disinfected by dipping them. Mr Parr said ho was anxiously watching the position in Queensland. All precautions were being taken by the health officers, and at ports precautions were so stringent as to rather provoke people. If,, however, the ports did not see to the extermination,, of rate,' it would bo extremely difficult, if not imposible, to keep plague- out of Now Zealand. The months which were predisposed to tho spread of plague wero now approaching. In 1911 they v-ve not able to deal with the position till there was a campaign to get rid of ra ts and fleas.