FIGHTING THE EPIDEMIC.

New Zealand Herald, Volume L, Issue 15375, 9 August 1913, Page 6

FIGHTING THE EPIDEMIC.

Since the first appearance, of the epidemic among the Maoris : the Herald has insisted that the European population was entitled to protection against the risk of contact with the great number, of Maoris who had been exposed to infection. From the first the key to the; early suppression of the epidemic lay in the isolation of the. Maoris. This is low being „'. recognised >by V the Health Department. It is announced that no Maori is allowed to travel in any part, of the Auckland Province without 'a special permit from. the Health Department. Maoris whose methods of life are approved by the Department have been supplied with such certificates, and there can be no call for others to travel in face i? of a temporary prohibition which ;j is necessary for the ■,': protection oi the community. Having , with some reluctance taken an absolutely necessary step, .the Health Department is ' entitled -i■ to look for. assistance and co-operation from all who are engaged in the conveyance of passengers by land • and [: sea. ; If' the Department )is loyally supported by carriers and its prohibition >is vigorously % enforced by health ; officers y and police there should be little danger of,: further spread of infection. ;; The question of removing Maori patients from the city and of finding hospital accommodation elsewhere should also be promptly dealt with. -. \ Only the;;' savI ing of expense can be urged in favour of the dangerous . method which has been followed.of.bringing Maori patients, from, : , country dis|tricts '{ into a crowded • city, .-.but'• no 1 method can be cheap which -helps' to spread ait epidemic* disease, ttnd, none under the circumstances can be expensive which confines it to a limited area. •,. With ; the provision of hospital accommodation well, ' removed " from thickly-populated centres, the strict quarantining of Maoris and active work by strong medical, nursing and sanitary staffs there -is every reason to believe that Auckland will *be speedily freed irom all traces of the epidemic disease. •