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Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 16303, 2 December 1918, Page 2

There is a very marked improvement in the town during the last day or two in respect to the influenza epidemic. A few new cases continue to be reported and there are several severe cases still in Hie hospital, hut the position is vastly bettor than it was a week ago, and it will be possible in a few days, if all goes well, to concentrate effort more on tho hospital work by closing the convalescent homes. At the hospital it is to ho expected that tho strain will continue a little longer, but it may be relieved to some extent by closing the convalescent homos and transferring tho trained assistance to the hospital. 'ln tho country tho organisation seems now to have tho epidemic well in hand, though it is too early yet to say that the danger is over. So far as the town is concerned tho groat point to bo borne in mind for the next few days is that people must continue to observe the utmost possible •precautions. The ' epidemic has not quite disappeared and carelessness by even a few may cause it to break out anew. Convalescents should lie particularly careful not to run unnecessary risks by returning to work a day earlier than is absolutely necessary. By sacrificing a day now they may save a relapse and the loss of many days next week. Those who have escaped so far should not relax their vigilance and run round look ing for trouble which may still bo awaiting them round tho next corner. The municipal and health authorities have warned the people of the dangers and asked them to observe tho rules laid down. A loyal observance of these will, there is very reason to hope, result in the speedy rout of the enemy. Disregard may lead to a renewal of the attack.

The war lias revealed among the men at the front an amount of courage, salf-sacrificc and devotion to duty which no one would have predicted a few years ago ; and the present epidemic has made it apparent that those who remained at home possess these qualities in no less degree than those who were called on to servo in the trenches. The epidemic, it is true, has revealed cases of meanness, selfishness, and undue panic, but these have been as rare as those of cowardice and slackness at the front. It is well not to direct our attention to these failures, because they have been the exceptions to the general rule of high at-

tainraent. The qualities which have gained l our admiration are those which the churches aim at fostering, but it must bo admitted that they have been displayed, both in the trenches and at home, in equal perfection by those who make no pretensions to religion. It will be well if the churches can grasp this truth and widen their outlook on life to embrace facts which they have in many cases hitherto ignored. All who have taken part in the battle,against the epidemic, and these include many whose duties have kept them within their own homes, have benefited by the call on them to forget self and work for others. 'ihe work done will produce lasting effects and it is much'to bo wished that the fine spirit and splendid energy shown, to exist will bo somehow utilised to promote the welfare of the people of the Dominion as a whole. IVc have advantages possessed by no other people in the world, but there are still improvements that can bo made and evils that can bo remedied. The ideal to ho aimed at is that the whole people without bitterness or recriminations should set itself to the task of reform, remembering that lasting results can only be attained by hard work and constant vigilance .and that there are no short cuts to universal happiness.