HEALTH CAMPS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 56, Issue 28, 14 November 1935, Page 6

HEALTH CAMPS.

Sir,——The unfavourable criticism 0f some members of the [Hospital Board on the establishment of a Health Camp in Ashb-urton County is hard to understand. To say the scheme is a farce is showing woeful ignorance of the object of the proposals.- The Health Campaign Committee are quite aware‘ it is not fresh air. the under-nourished : children lack. g It is proposed that the l children selected should be those most 3 in need and likely to benefit from a change of environment. The camp willi be under expert and sympathetic super—vision. The c'hildren will receive proper food, care and training in matters of hygiene. The camp should help some of the less fortunate children on the road- to more permanent health and some families over a time of difficulty and anxiety. ’ ' ‘ No good purpose can be served by blaming some of the parents for seemiing neglect in regard to their children. The cause in some cases is due lto ignorance in regard to health mat;ters There is, however, no need to iblink our eyes to the fact that some of the cause is also due to the economic conditions in both town and country over the last few years. The wretched unemployment system with its hopeless outlook has been responsible for the undermining of the self-reliance and health of many a good citizen. fhe recent official report 'on the state oi health of a large number of children in one of the schools of the BoroughL should be sufficient warning r to 2 the}: authorities that all is not well with the health and condition of the rising generation. . If things are left as they are it will mean an increasing Hospital expendi—ture in tlie'iutui-e, and far that reason, if for no other, members of the Hospital Board should support any proposals that will benefit the health of future citizens. There is far too much expenditure required in this young healthy country on hospital buildings landunstitutions of various kinds. It be time the community awoke to the fact .that much of this excessive exDeliditure could be reduced if greater assistance were given the Plunket ‘SPCEGW, the Sunlight League, and slmllar_ institutions in the work of education in the interests of the health of the people. ' Sl. ANDREW. .8113—0ne'can scarcely believe that men would dare to make statements such as are attributed to members of the Ashburton County Hospital Board. “Man’s inhumanity to man” is proverbial,- one might add “to woman” {slso, Considering the sweeping remarks in reference to women’s inability to feed their children correctly. Having for many years taken a keen interest in matters relating to the health of women and children, I cannot allow these statements to go unchallenged. It seems incredible that men in responsible positions should cast such a slur on the women of this County. \Vhat. experience have Mr Bryant or Mr Oakley in trying to maintain a balanced diet when in receipt of a bare living wage? What knowledge have they to pass on to women who are tryingin vain to balance the budget and feed their children correctly on the disgraceful pittance of 393 per week? How do these men propose to make use of this knowledge? I should imagine that the opinions of well-fed men would not be appreciated by the women who are making avaliant fight against terrible odds. Surely Board members do not believe that the only cases of acute distress are those with which they come in contact? Some of these people have absolutely no alternative, others belong to the ranks of unfortunates who through drink, bad environment, or adverse conditions in Childhood have lost all initiative. The great majority of necessitous ease-s belong to the class of people who would prefer to starve rather than approach the hospital board. Of what use is their proposed educational scheme for ignorant mothers if the wherewithal _to provide the neces~ sities is not forthcoming? Let them see to it that men are paid a living wage, and leave women to manage their own affairs. One is tempted to inquire whether Board members have always enjoyed a balanced diet? One thinks not, when one considers their unbalanced opinions! . When the Ashburton HOSpital Board was handling relief rations, there was scandalous waste; not' by the relief workers as many citizens were led to believe but by the Board members. One needs but a superficial knowledge of dietetics to know that there is a limit to one’s capacity for oatmeal, barley, sage, etc. Yet during the time the Board was dispensing groceries, the cupboards of relief workers and others were filled with this type of food, but there was a lamentable absence of the‘essentials for the 1113.111" tenance of {good health, One would hasten, therefore, to deter these gen—tlemen who are so zealous in their desire to educate the ignorant and thriftless." Their knowledge is evidently of such recent acquisition that their lack of qualifications might prove. embarrassmg. _ Men who harden their hearts so often in dealing with cases of well-nigh hopeless poverty, decasionally forget themselves, and insult the whole community by their uncalled-for remarks. It would be well for them to remember that “knowledge is not wisdom, neither 'does education confer upon One the qualities of good breeding.” l GABRIELLE M. HARMAN.