INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16423, 25 April 1919, Page 3

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

MOERAKI WORKED TO-DAY. PAST EXPERIENCE. MAKES MR. LUKE CAUTIOUS. Pea - Press Association. AVELLINGTON, April 24. The watorsiders commenced to discharge the Moeraki this morning. The vessel is expected to leave for Sydney on. Monday afternoon. AVELLINGTON, April 25. AVork was resumed on the Moeraki at 8 o’clock this morning. AVELLINGTON, April 25. The Mayor, Mr. Luke, states in reference to the cable received yesterday from Sydney signed “Kent,” appealing for assistance for “several penniless women waiting to return to New Zealand,” that he .lid not regard the cablegram as official, and would take no notice of it. Mr. Luke went on to say that when, during the influenza epidemic here, Australians were stranded, .money was found to maintain them, also for their passages. This was done by the generous assistance of several citizens- Fifteen Australians, some of them wealthy, gave 1.0.U.’s for tbo amounts advanced but not one of those 1.0.U.’s had been redeemed. , .Mr. Luke considers the matter of the stranded New Zealanders one for the Government. NIAGARA PATIENTS IMPROVING. AUCKLAND, April 24. There are no further developments at Motuihi, and all patients are reported to be making satisfactory progress. Five more patients were released from quarantine to-day, leaving twelve still on the island. The Mayor received to-day the following cable from Sydney ;■ “Several women are penniless, waiting to return. Can you influence financial asi stance Y Reply Government office. (Signed) Kent.” As Mr, Luke does not know who the sender is ho says he cannot take notice of such' unofficial communication. It was purely a matter for the general Government. REPORT OF THE COMMISSION. CHRISTCHURCH, April 25. The Hon. G. AV. Russell expects to receive the interim report of the Epidemic Commission to-day, but the contents will be private until seen by the Governor-General. EVILS OF COMPULSORY NOTI- ! FICATION. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. MELBOURNE, April 23. The Board of Health has recommended the abolition of compulsory notification of influenza on the ground that it is too drastic, interfered with business, and led to unnecessary panic. In reply to a question as to whether it could bo asumed beyond question that the visitation was not Spanish influenza, tbo chairman (Dr. Robertson) said influenza was the same now as in tbo timo of Hippocrates, but more virulent than it had been in former years. Every disease had its degrees of virulence. Another member declared that thousands of cases that were reported were merely simple colds, helping towards unwarranted panic. CHANGE OF SHIPPING ARRANGE-

51 ENTS. (Received April 25/ 12.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, April 25. As the result of. New Zealand quarantine restrictions, tho Union Company has decided to send passengers for Vancouver direct to Suva, where they will connect with tho Vancouver steamer.— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.