THE DREAD ANTHRAX.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 16583, 16 November 1921, Page 2

THE DREAD ANTHRAX.

QUESTION OF PREVENTION. fly Telegraph—Press Association—Copyrigrbt. Australian and N.Z. Cable Association. LONDON, November 14. The “Morning Post’s” Geneva correspondent reports that after twelve days’ debate in committee on the prevention of anthrax the conference reached tho unanimous decision that th© economic and humanitarian aspects were insufficiently studied to justify an international governing body. Jt was decided to appoint advisory committees in producing and manufacturing countries to report to the governing body for the conference. The cooperation of the United States is invited. Disinfection is the only present effectual means of protection for workers, but tho real solution is the eradication of the disease in animals. The committee, therefore, will make a separate report on this subject to the conference. The British Government ia asked to nominate an advisory committee to meet in London. The committee emphasized the danger of too precipitate action disturbing the equilibrium of the wool market, also the unstable administrative conditions in the chief producing countries in Central. Asia, whence come the most dangerous wools, also the special case ol* India, one of the largest exporting countries, where the difficulties are insurmountable- Fifteen disinfecting stations would bo necessary on the northern frontiers to deal with wool from Central Asia, which is outdid© labour organisation influence. Wools thus would be diverted to Persia and Black Sea. ports, resulting in a blow to one of India’s most important industries, Cases of anthrax in India contracted through handling wool were extremely rare. The conference decision means tbo defeat of the British Government, which had hoped t-o utilise Labour organisation to impose the heavy' cost of disinfecting on exporting countries, regardless of the interest of poor countries, like India. The decision is also th© chief triumph of this conference’s more moderate element over Socialist and idealistic doctrinaires, who would intermeddle in the affairs of other countries, irrespective of divergencies of customs and complex economic reactions. But a grave menace is still existing in whit© lend. Although the commission rejected prohibition of white lead deplorable intriguin'- is going on. the Labour Office itself openlv countenancing propaganda favourable to its own bias, which is con+rarv to tho interests of the British Empire.