Problems Of Asia

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31519, 6 November 1967, Page 2

Problems Of Asia

The chronic illnesses of Asia growing population, inadequate diet, health and education problems were deep-seated and improvement would not be spectacular. Dr R. Seddon told the Christchurch branch of the Pan Pacific and South East Asia Women’s Association recently.

“World War II made men think and set up ways of aiding underdeveloped countries. International efforts and efforts of national governments are just beginning to show significant results, but often these are more disconcerting than reassuring," be said.

Western medicine had reduced disease, and infant mortality, but food production was not keeping pace with the rapidly growing population. Member nations of the United Nations had pledged to attain universal primary education by 1975 but just to stand still they must spend twice their present education budget

Most of Asia was still largely dependent on one crop and with the uncertainty of world markets this was not a broad enough base for total development ; However, the Economic Commission on Asia and the Far East, which had originally concentrated on economic problems was turning its attention to social problems.

Dr Seddon, who was recently the social development executive officer for the South Pacific Commission, said that efforts by voluntary organisations could start a train of events unthought of by individual members.

“For some years the commission had wanted to help develop programmes in the women’s interests area of activity, but we could never find enough money from the budget. “Then, out of the blue came a gift of 530.000 from the United Churchwomen of America to be used for this purpose.

“With it we brought out a woman to work with women's organisations and several years later we held a training seminar. This brought a grant of $24,000

from the Freedom From Hunger Campaign for three to four years. “We then approached the Fiji Government, which agreed to establish a permanent community education training centre, which is now likely to become part of the new University of the South Pacific,” he said.