HEALTH BOARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 4 March 1926, Page 4

HEALTH BOARD

IMPORTANT PROPOSALS(Per Press Aesoci&tioii.j WELLINGTON, March 4. Mr Young, Minister of Health, presided yesterday at a meeting of, the Board of Health. He was formally welcomed on behalf of the members by Sir Lindo Ferguson. The Board approved regulations for the control of hair-dressing saloons and approved recommendations with regard to the problem of water and drainage in Auckland and surrounding districts, and the movement to obtain a water supply for Auckland from Lake Taupo. The Board, at its previous meeting, had recommended an inquiry should be instituted, in the terms of the Health Act to investigate the position. The Minister that this recommendation had been approved by his predecessors and himself, but the question was whether to have a committee, comprised of the Board’s own members, or a special commission, in accordance with Section 14 of the Act. The Board decided to recommend the Government to take the latter course.

The Minister explained the question had arisen out of difficulties which had developed in connection with water and drainage in Auckland district, where there already existed the North Shore Borough’s Water ' Board, including in its orbit Devonport, Takapuna, Northcote, Birkenhead, and controlling the distribution of water throughout those' districts • from Lake Takapuna. The Water Board was seeking increased powers.' An application by Onehunga Borough raised the question of facilitating loans, where local bodies may finance the connection of private properties with drainage systems, when the owner is unable to finance the work. It was resolved to request the Government- to consider legislation empowering the Board, of Health to issue a requisition, enabling the local authorities to raise loans for the above purpose without a poll of ratepayers. A resolution was adopted urging that the time had arrived when a definite policy should be formulated In. medical research concerning matters affecting public health, • special reference being made to research work at the Otago University regarding infantile paralysis and other. diseases, tor which a £2OOO grant was made by the Cabinet some time ago. ;

Sir L. Ferguson said he thought, a grant of five thousand per annum would suffice and possibly encourage private bequests for this object. The Minister was sympathetic, but pointed out.that it would be a mistake for New Zealand to embark upon research into matters that could be much more effectively tackled by older and bigger countries, and where clinical opportunities were unlimited.