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Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16208, 10 May 1918, Page 6

When the "Journal" was started, wo ventured to suggest that the present was hardly the time to start new journals, and thus increase the consumption of paper. The comparative lack of interest taken in the "Journal" by those to whom it is specially addressed confirms us in that view. Many of the statistics given are already published in the Monthly Abstract issued by the Registrar-General, and others no doubt could be included in that publication if .deemed desirable; * The interesting *afticle on "Cancer irk New Zealand/' to which reference was made in "The Press," might with advantage have appeared in the "New Zealand Medical Journal," which we iihdginb is seen by every medical superintendent of a hospital. In the current number there is an excellent article on the checking of waste in hospital dispensaries, which, if acted upon, would undoubtedly be the means of saving large sums of money in hospital expenditure. It is possible, however, that this would have been more effective if addressed in the form of an official memorandum to those immediately concerned, with instructions that the rules laid down were to bo acted upon. Experience seems to shortthat requests and instructions in tho ' Journal" are not looked upon as earrying the same weight as direct communications to those it is intended to. address.

Among the numerous methods adopted. in Australia to induco men to enlist for active service was the establishment, in both Sydney and Melbourne, of a fund for insuring for £200 each recruit with dependants. It was announced recently that the Sydney fund already amounted to over £20,000. This money is subscribed by the public for the purpose not of forming an insurance fund, but for paying the premium of £20 per annum on individual policies of £200 each, payable only at death. This premium seems high, in view of the fact that tho mortality late in the Australian force at the front has boon 8 per cent., but it has been fixed as the flat rate for these soldiers' policies, the military medical examination being accepted by the insuranco companies, and there being no age limit for the insurers.

The scheme has permitted a number of people to assist recruiting by helping a recruit to make provision, in case of his death, for his dependants. Cap-

tain Carmichael was materially helpe-d in his self-appointed task of raising a thousand recruits—a task which lie accomplished in twenty days, at the expenditure of incessant effort on his part—by tho fact that many Sydney people guaranteed each to insure a soldier. A week or two ago the Sydney Chamber of Commerco list of subscribers to tho fund stood at over 200, and the AYaverky Bowling Club celebrated the return of one of its members, after three years' servicc, by guaranteeing £600 a year for "victory policies'' for recruits. Another idea, proposed by the Sydney "Sun," and warmly supported by the public, was that civilian holders of lifo insurance policies should forego their bonuses this year, or for tho duration of the war, and apply them to the purposes of tho fund.