Smallpox vaccination exhorted

Some 7000 vaccinations have now been performed in Invercargill city. In the country districts of Southland fewer have been done. During the last three weeks no case of American smallpox has been notified from Invercargill, but cases are still occurring in the country districts. Dunedin city is not responding actively enough to the department's recommendation to submit to vaccination. A few schools have been done but today in one school only 25 percent of the children were submitted by their parents. The incidence of the disease has increased during the past ten days, principally in Dunedin. The isolation hospital is full and extended accommodation for convalescents is to be obtained. Meantime some advanced convalescents are being returned to their homes under observation. Vaccination is the only sure preventive, and if effected now will, after a temporary disability of a few days only, permit resumption of work not only now but for from seven to 12 years to come. The government calf lymph has been well tested, is satisfactory, and due care is exercised by the vaccinators. It would seem that a death from smallpox is necessary to stimulate the public to face the music. Such is not predicted but severe, unsightly illness of from three to four weeks’ duration, considerable unnecessary industrial disorganisation and remote effects on the general health are. American smallpox is a mild type of true smallpox, which is preventable by vaccination. It varies from a mild trivial case to one of considerable severity. Both extremes have occurred in this health district.

Unrest over police pay

It is not in the least remarkable, in view of the latest statistical announcement with respect to the increasing cost of living, combined with the fact that other sections of the public service are receiving increased salaries, that the members of the police force are restive. The rate of pay for policeman at present is 12s. per day, and the working week extends over seven days. There is no overtime, and policemen argue that there are no “perquisites” in the shape of free railway passes or concessions such as are enjoyed by railwaymen. The Lyttleton Times learns that there is grave dissatisfaction among members of the force in Christchurch. Some time ago, it is pointed out, the Dunedin police asked for an increase of 6s. per day, while the Christchurch police, considering they had no chance of getting that amount, asked for anadditional 4s. per day.

“To this statement,” says the Lyttelton Times, “no reply has been received, and the men feel somewhat sore that they have not even been favoured with the courtesy of an answer. Some of the recent regulations, particularly that which reduces the policeman to half pay in the case of sickness, have also created uneasiness in the ranks of the force.”

The three great evils named

There are three great evils that The Church of God has to fight, declared the Rev J. Carlisle in his farewell talk at Gisborne (says the Poverty Bay Herald), “and they are: Liquor — strike it out and drive it back to where it came from. The next great evil is the gambling evil. Don't be afraid to face it. Stand up to it. Go for gambling and kick it out, or it will get hold of your boys and girls. Another evil that the Church of God will have to face is the picture show. Kick it out for it is going to lead to the degradation of our young manhood and womanhood.”

— 8.7.1920.