PRECAUTIONS AGAINST PLAGUE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11347, 16 April 1900, Page 4

PRECAUTIONS AGAINST PLAGUE.

The conviction of every citizen as to the damage that would occur if the plague were to find an entrance into New Zealand, and our fear of this dread visitation, are so strong that any measure considered necessary and recommended by competent persons will be readily concurred in, whatever loss it might infer, or whatever injury and inconvenience it may cause to trade and commerce. We have no complaint to make with respect to the manner in which the subject has been handled by the Government, They have not made the mistake of giving way to mere panic, which is from all points of view the gravest < f errors, and they have taken all the precautious .which" seeaAed to be necessary. Mr. Ward is the Minister dealing with the subject, and he has been most prompt in answering all communications and giving all the assistance he could. In Saturday's paper we gave a telegram in which the Mayor advised the Government to prohibit all communication between Sydney and New Zealand. This would have been a strong step, and would have inferred great inconvenience and trouble, not only in respect to direct trade, but also with shipments from London in vessels calling at Sydney. In a telegram to the Mayor Mr. Ward gives his reasons for declining to take this step at present very clearly and forcibly. A few days ago we suggested that the Government should assume some controlling power with respect to all the boroughs of the colony. Some of these 110 doubt are acting under competent and skilled advice, but such advice is not at the command of all of them. The Government have decided to take a step in this direction, and it will be seen by Mr. Ward's telegram that a medical inspector will pay Auckland a visit at once, to give advice respecting the best means to be adopted to prevent the entrance of the plague, and to improve the sanitary conditions. It will give confidence to the public, and be in reality a weapon of defence, to know that every precaution is taken, even at great cost and much inconvenience, and also that everything is done calmly and after full consideration. Dr. Mason, who has been appointed : by the Government to inspect will leave Wellington <oday for Auckland. It will besa<>n by •our telegrams'that the Premier ! has been speaking strongly, respect-

ing the neglect of the authorities at Wellington.' We hope he will not have to criticise Auckland to severely. ' •