EPIDEMIC PRECAUTIONS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LVI, Issue 17110, 15 March 1919, Page 10

EPIDEMIC PRECAUTIONS

SUGGESTIONS BY MINISTER,

WIDE POWERS REQUIRED.

STATEMENT TO COMMISSION. [DT TEI,ECIUIfJ.—r-KESS ASSOCIATION.] , WELLINGTON, Friday. Tho Minister for Public Health, the Hon. G. W. Russ-sll, mado another statement before the Epidemic Commission today. He said splendid services were given by voluntary workers, but ho feard that in the event of another outbreak we might not safely rely on volunteer effort. Ho suggested an organisation which might be dovelopcd for th» division of the cities into blocks and for tho administration of | the work in those areas. At the head of this organisation would bo the chief health officer. Among his suggestions were that this officer or his deputy should have power to requisition buildings for hospitals, motor-cars, fruit, and tho services of doctors and nurses. The Government had had recourse to tho War Regulations for these emergency measures, but there would be no war regulations pregently, and be thought there ought to be power under the Public Health Act to take these emergency measures. _ In tho event of national prohibition being carried, the Public Health Department would have to carry stocks of alcohol for medicinal purposes;. To get this medicine people would require certificates, and arrangements would, bo made for Govern* ment doctors to give these certificates free of charge. Legislation would be necessary to givo tho Government power to arrange for the burial of the dead and to fix the coßt of funerals. In tho event of another epidemic the Government would have to consider whether part of the cost would not have to bo borne by local authorities. In this case it had all been borno by the General Government, and the total cost would bo not less than jt!250,00«. ~ .._ M Tho commission adjourned till Monday. __«_____