INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16467, 20 June 1919, Page 4

INFLUENZA EPIDEMIC.

REPORT OP COMMISSION. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Juno 19. In an interview, the Hon. G. W. Russell commented on tho eighteen recommendations of the Epidemic Commission. He said that arrangements had been made for the amendment and consolida. tion of- tho Public Health Law, and he had recommended the insertion of clauses in the Public Health Law regulating x>rioes of equipment, goods and services for combating the epidemic. The appointment of a chief sanitary inspector was utterly impossible, as it would mean conflict between such officer and the. chief health officer. Instructions had been given for the complete reorganisation of the Department, and the relations of tho medical, sanitary and administrative officers would be clearly defined. An educational establishment has hoen in existence for some time, and he was of opinion that a soocially trained and highly educated medical officer should be appointed to watch every development in the public health and communicate tho result of his studies and research to the public and hospital boards.

The relation of the education system to public health was a matter for the Minister for Education, and it would be brought before him. In regard to the establishment of school clinics, ho was of opinion that the medical work now being conducted by the Government inspectors of schools snould be linked up with the hospital system, which would he more efficient tuan the proposal of the commission. The Cabinet had already approved of assistance being given to such bodies as the St. John Ambulance Association, and hospital boards were empowered to grant subsidies to such organisations. Tho suggestion that cities and large towns with contiguous boroughs and town districts should form local health departments under the supervision of the Government Health Department was impracticable, but it was desirable that tho department’s supervision should be closer than at present. Equally impossible was the proposal that the Health Department should assume control of all public health matters in other boroughs and town districts than the cities and towns referred to. The commission evidently did not understand the determination of tho people to have local self-government. He would not give the proposal five minutes’ consideration.

He hoped that as the result of joint action on tho part of the Marine and Health Departments an effective scheme would be evolved for improvement of the conditions in shipping. The housing question was rather a political, question than one arising out of the epidemic. The proposal for an international bureau had his approval, but for various reasons he did not deem an annual conference of the health authorities necessary. SUSPECTED CASES. Per Press Association. ■ "WELLINGTON, June 19. Two of the mine-sweepers which arrived this afternoon have a case of sickness aboard, one case being suspected influenza. The third vessel is stated to be a clean ship.

SYDNEY WELCOME POSTPONED. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. SYDNEY, June 19. Functions connected with Lord Jellicoe’s arrival on Tuesday have been postponed owing to influenza. The schools will be closed for another week.