TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 1, 1 July 1926, Page 8

TOPICS OF THE DAY

With its article on the financial aspect of medical research, the British Medical Association yesterday further reinforced a strong case. In times of crisis questions of money value are forgotten. If there is an epidemic the Government and the medical profession are urged to do this and do that regardless of cost; But" epidemic periods are not the best for research in preventive medicine. All energies. must then be concentrated upon checking the scourge. Is it not wise, then, to grant some portion of the money which would be freely devoted to checking an epidemic to a movement to guard against disease or to lessen its virulence if it should comet Research is really an insurance against the tremendous ravages of disease. On the statement submitted by the B.M.A. the premium is remarkably low. There is one further point which is emphasised by .the "New Zealand I Herald" in an article warmly supportI ing the B.M.A. plan. That is that other countries have already established research institutes. "Co-operation in health-crusades, on1 an international basin has been actively pursued for over six years under the guidance of the Health Committee of the League of Nations, and magnificent work has been done." New Zealand, as a progressive country, should take its part in that work; not only so that some contribution m*T be made to the general fund of information, but in order that the Dominion may be equipped to use to the best advantage the knowledge which this co-operative action will I yield. ''•*•■•

Public apathy upon tho subject of defence „ was strongly condemned by Lient.-Gcneral Sir John Monash in a recent speech reported by our Sydney correspondent yesterday. There was no public opinion in Australia demanding adequate attention; to national defence, he said. Without that opinion Parliament and the Ministry were practically helpless. No Ministry would take up the question, nor would Parliament back it, unless such a feeling existed. We do not suppose that Australia in one whit worse in this respect than New Zealand. Hore, as there, those who attempt to rouse public opinion upon the subject hear little moro than the .ocho of their own voices. Sometimes if an advocate is bold enough to say: "If you wish peace propare for war," he will provoke the answer that the way to secure peace is to prepare for peace. But the public fof the most part disregard both sides and go calmly on their way preparing for nothing more'serious than the next picture-show., But Sir John Monash is noi, in our view,'quite, right when ho blames. the public: and excuses /Parliament and; the political headers. "For if the trumpet give,an uncertain sound who shall prepare himself to the battle'!" While the. political leaders aro content to'-leave thp question, in: abeyance, ahd-even'glaid'todd so," there ; will be no strong opinion foir peace with defence. It iir the duty of these leaders to form opinion as well-as to.-obey it; especially' when there is a militantminded section of tho community with a foreign policy of..peace at any price.

The Hawera Winter Show, opened yesterday, is notable for the energy of its Empire trade week (as reflected in a Press Association telegram), and for

its reception of a delegation of Waikato farmers, who have advanced on the but-ter-fat lands of Taranaki in a trainparty hundreds strong. The two great dairy produce provinces have each of them much to teach and much to learn; thorefore, the mutual benefit of an exchange of visits should soon make this innovation a permanent feature in the slack season of the farming fraternity of the Dominion. Taranaki, the older of the rivals, is no doubt entitled to first call, and Hawera is woll fitted to be the centre to receive it, Hawera being the location of a very valuable dairying .research laboratory established through the self-help of South Taranaki dairy companies, with slight Government assistance,. The fruits of applied research shoul^ help tho New Zealand dairying industry to meet world-competition by turning out a better article at less cost. And,, incidentally, there is no better way in which the New Zealand dairy farmer can serve the Empire. The more he sells to Britain, the more will he buy.

Discussion of migration by the Empire Press Union appears, from the cabled report, to have added little to the general sun of knowledge upon this question. Lord Apsley . emphasised the importance of low fares in attracting migrants to Canada, and Sir Joseph Cook stressed the. necessity of financial provision for the overseas Dominions. These points are, however, well understood. Money is necessary if development is to continue so that more population may.be taken, and low fares make it easier for poorer people to make the great adventure.' But Britain' alone cannot devise and operate a migration plan.. There, must be active co-operation in the Dominions. .. With Australia and Canada this may take the form of big developments,. :groat settlements, and plans providing for thousands, With. New Zealand, it must be in the form of attending to small things. There^ must be' careful organisation so that a few families may be placed here and a few there: In this organisation there is. great scope for the activity of all commercial/ industrial, and welfare bodies. Are they prepared to do their part, or will they (with few exceptions) leave everything to a Government Department?