TOPICS OF THE DAY

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 121, 24 May 1928, Page 10

TOPICS OF THE DAY

Three physicians of known ability have been chosen by the Minister of Health to inquire into certain aspects of the treatment of tubercular disease in New Zealand. The qualifications of the gentlemen selected are beyond question;'but they themselves would probably,havo welcomed the association of a T.B. specialist in the inquiry. It may be said that tho services of such' a specialist could not be easily secured, as some of those in New Zealand aro engaged in the work which is to be investigated and others might not spare the time to accompany the Committee. But it would certainly have been worth while including .on -they Committee a specialist. ■We feel sure that it. would assist materially in the, investigation and would especially aid *the solution of one or two pressing problems which must be solved before great progress can bo made. * * # ■In an explanatory reference, the Minister 'of .Health, stated; that.it .was not desired that the Committee should investigate any scientific or technical phases.- It was appointed to investigate thoroughly . the sufficiency and adequacy of tho accommodation and the methods employed throughout tho Dominion the comfort and treatment of sufforers. This, it may be argued, raises no issue which cannot be determined by hearing* the views of the specialists. It appears to us, however, that'the line cannot be so easily drawn between the technical and administrative departments. The very first question to be determined in deciding whether the accommodation is sufficient and adequate is: How many patients need accommodation? This at once raises the further question: Are all those who should be in sanatoria sought out and treated in the earliest stages, or are some of them loft till their admission becomes imperative? There appears to' be . a popular impression that-tuberculosis is more widely prevalent.in,the South Island than in the North,.;, It is highly probable that this is a. misconception, due to the fact that the methods pursued in the South, principally owing to the activity of Dr., Blackmore, result in the. earlier discovery and . treatment, of sufferers. The 'methods tend. to.prevention rather than waiting, till .he. disease reaches an advanced stage when a cure is more diflv cult. Adoption of such methods naturally necessitates tho provision of more acconimodation than is available in tho North Island. Before deciding that consumption is less prevalent here wo should bo assured that we are adopting tho most efficient moans for discovery and diagnosis of probable cases—tracing each case, back to its source, and seeing if there is-moro disease latent there. By this moans wo should carry the war into the enemy's country; but beforo adopting such means we must know that we liavo the

institutions capable of accommodating and treating incipient cases. This is a phase that must enter into tho inquiry if it is to be productive of lasting benefit. . •. # • Experience on the Executive Committee of tho Counties' Association has convinced' Mr. Blackley that thoro aro far too many counties in Now Zealand. Having come to this conclusion he proposes that the Hutt County Council, of which ho is a member, should consider the problem as applied to itself. We do not know whether detailed consideration will disclose the desirability of amalgamation of the Hutt and Makara Counties; but thero are sufficient general reasons to make considerationof the particular problem worth while. Methods of road construction and the breaking-down of old barriers mako the maintenance of many existing boundaries undesirable. Only a strong local body can carry out its work efficientlyand economically. Possibly the parochialism of former, days is not yet dead, and ratepayers may doubt whether they will receive as . fair treatment when their interests are merged in those of a greater county.-' Even in the big selfcontained boroughs the same doubt is sometimes voiced, this district o? that complaining that it is neglected. Notwithstanding this no ratepayer in a big borough-would' advocate return to the system of many authorities. It is recognised that the smaller the authority the greater the difficulty there is in keeping efficiency high and overhead low. i - ■• . *' # • It is difficult to follow the argument of the chairman of the Makara County Council that the ( ,policy of the' Main Highways Board jyill not ease the burden of ratepayers. Possibly it will not lead to a substantial reduction—or any reduction at j all —in the demand upon rate-revenue in some counties; but it will enable the roads to be improved and maintained without increasing the' burden upon the occupiers of the land. Possibly the county chairman is thinking that as the Bide roads are improved the traffic upon them will grow and extend, and the wearing effect of motors will be seen further and further from the main highway. Of course, this does apply, especially with pleasure traffic, but if the roads were not maintained the traffic would, still grow) As the roads aro improved, traffic will increase more rapidly; but this will provide a petrol tax and tire tax revenue increasing in proportion. Provided the allocation of this revenue is fair—according ,to the measure of use of tho road—the ratepayer cannot but be benefited, though whether the benefits will come up to 'the expectations of the counties is another question.