DAY BY DAY.

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 15275, 27 June 1923, Page 4

DAY BY DAY.

The outbreak of smallpox in Gloucester is an ugly business. If, as the cables say, the fact that the disease was prevalent in the town was deliberately suppressed in order that the attendance at a trade gathering might not be affected, somebody should certainly be held to account. Such suppression could only be achieved by collusion between a number of municipal and State officials, and it is disquieting to think that men in responsible positions can become so lost to a sense of public duty as to so act. As a result of their failure to report the presence of one of the mo3t dreaded diseases in tie town, visitors were biduted to attend, and consequently cases • of smallpox have been reported over a wide area; whereas had the real state of affairs been revealed it would probably have been possible to coniine the outbreak in the centre In which it was first discovered, and to have effejtively stamped it out. It is satisfactory to know that the authorities are now taking ...active steps to cope with the outbreak, and that the prejudices and foibles of the individual are not being permitted to jeopardise the safety of the whole community. It is one thing to show tolerance, when there is no public danger, but such cannot be exercised when the safety of the whole community is threatened. Vaccination lias been 'abundantly proved to bo a panacea for smallpox, and it is significant that the outbreak bus occurred at Gloucester, which is the stronghold of the anti-vaccinators, who are still disposed to flout the regulations, and are taking active steps to thwart the officials in the isolation of patients. No doubt, in view o£ the seriousness of the situation the policy of the authorities will be to act first-, leaving explanation! and adjustments for a later period. It is evidently no time to stand on ceremony.