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Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16467, 20 June 1919, Page 2

The Hon. G. W. Russel! cannot tear criticism of his actions in any capacity and thinks that the public is as interested as he himself is in maintaining that he is practically infallible. He gave evidence at great length before the Influenza Commission in defence of his action or inaction; he delayed the publication of the report because he considered it gave an inaccurate re-

port of one point in his evidence, and now, he has produced another long apologia to accompany the report. The public will not be impressed by Mr. Russell’s lengthy arguments, for it has made up its mind, rightly or that if the Niagara had been quarantined the outbreak of would have been much lees severe. The* Health Department was responsible for not quarantining the vessel, Mr. Russell is the head of the department, therefore he must take the blame. This is the rough and ready conclusion of the man in the street, and it is generally supported by the finding of the Commission. Strong objection will be taken to Mr._ Russell’s attempt to challenge the fairness of the Commission. It is quite evident that the Health Department has been starved, and that the staff was quite incapable of dealing with anything like a serious outbreak of disease. The blame for this rests largely with past Governments who have never srimt as much ’as was necessary on departments like those of Public Health and Education, which produce no immediate results in the form of a. monetary return. Few votes have depended on better health administration or more efficient education, and Mr. Russell and other members or Parliament have cared more for votes than anything else. At times the faults of this policy become evident, as they did in the recent epidemic, and Mr. Russell would gain more respect if he could take lik hammering in ft more sporting spirit and with less squealing.