TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 137, 7 December 1926, Page 8

TOPICS OF THE DAY

Having secured a proclamation authorising the use of part of the Canal Reserve for a roadway, the Mayor anticipates that the way will soon be clear to resume work in Kent terrace. Having won their fight, hpwevor, the Mayor and Council will " show good judgment if. theyinow deny themselves some of the fruits of their victory. In spite of the Mayor's remarks concerning "paltry suggestions," we are still of opinion' that a little more reasonableness would have avoided the delay and oxpense of legal proceedings. The time has not yet gone by for compro,mise, and.the Mayor and Council, being secure in their legal rights, can afford to meet the wishes of tho objectors to the plan without loss of dignity. It would be a ■ mistake to assume that the ' destruction of the trees and-the reduction of the reserve find favour with all eicept a few. We feel assured that very many of the citizens look with doubt and disfavour upon the costly scheme, which is of doubtful traffic value.' Some, at least, of the Councillors see iliis also, and have boon prepared to reconsider the plan. The chairman of •the Reserves Committee has suggested_ a modification which removes the principal traffic difficulties, and yet spares much of the reserve. It is for the Mayor and Council now to decido whether they will adopt this modification or persist in carrying through the original scheme.

The regrettable death oi' a little girl after an operation in the Public Hospital appears to have been the result of unfortunate occurrences which foresight and care cannot guard against. One of the medical witnesses stated that "it appeared there had been trouble with the apparatus in administering the saline," and the evidence of the nurse who gave the injection seems to support this. The Coroner, however, found that "the equipment appeared to be the standard equipment, and the administration of the injection was attended to by a nurse who Bad experience in such duties." Our purpose, however, in referring to the case is not to question in any way the result of tho Coroner's inquiry, but to consider whether means can be adopted which will prevent such events from disturbing public confidence and causing uneasiness to parents. It would, we believe, be desirable if. every death after an operation were investigatedj not by a lay Coroner, but by a highly-qualified and independent medical man. A layman has limitations, and may easily err either in condemning or in excusing. A medical man, preferably a medical jurist, would be'better^ able to discover facts of value to the medical profession. Moreover, there would be more satisfaction- to the public in such competent investigation.

Opinion .in Australia was unanimous and emphatic, Dr. Marsden found, that education in agricultural matters must start at the top, and be the very best obtainable. This is one mote opinion "to add to the many in favour of the policy of establishing one well-equip-ped, well-staffed institution in New Zealand. At Hawkesbury College ia New South Wales there are five Maoris from Te Aute. There have been other New Zealanders at the same college. Why should it be'necessary for young men to leave the Dominion to obtain this training? It may be contended that it is not necessary, and that good training can be had in New Zealand. But if this were abundantly and undeniably clear would tho students not stay? Agricultural education, other things being equal, ia best obtained up .to a certain point in the country where it is to bo applied. It is our duty, then, to see that there is no necessity for any student to go abroad for anything short of a special post-graduate course.

People who are well and people who are ill will1 talk about their health. They cannot be prevented. Nor can they be prevented from reading about it. Having made this admission, Sir Thomas Horder, King's Physician, proceeds to consider what popular health literature should be offoved to the public. His judgment is that general principles should be dealt with and particulars avoided, because it is impossible to state particulars which.will be of general application. If this is true there is an obligation upon the medical profession generally to assist, and not to hinder, the broadcasting of such information as is generally applicable and reliable. If the public desire for health literature is not satisfied in this way it will bo filled by other persons and in harmful ways. The patentee of a cureall, the apostle of a new; health "creed,

will tender advice freely. Tho credulous will accept it," and, with a good measure of faith, . will possibly cure themselves of imaginary maladies. But it would be bettor if tho practitioners would modify that rule which oporates to prevent only the most, competent from offering general health advice.