AIR POLLUTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 14 November 1936, Page 14

AIR POLLUTION

DEATHS DUE TO FOG. A smoko abatement exhibition, organised by the National Smoke Abatement Society in conjunction with certain Government Departments, was opened at the Science Museum, South Kensington, recently by the Minister of Health.

Dr. 11. A. Des Voeux, president of the society, who presided, recalled that it was founded exactly 36 years , ago. At that period there used to be some 35 to 40 thick fogs in London . every winter, and some of them lasted a week. Had the conditions then existing continued unchecked London would now be uninhabitable. Sir Kingsley Wood said smoke was a real and insidious enemy of health, and cost the nation many millions a year. He reminded his audience that in Queen Elizabeth’s reign proclamations were issued forbidding the use of coal in London while Parliament was sitting. Conditions were better now than at the end of last century, in spite of the fact that 4,250.000 more dwelling houses had been built since 1901. The increased use of gas and electricity had helped this improvement. There was. however, very little reason for complacency to-day, and a i great deal had still to be done. In fu-

Iture progress he thought this legislation would be a less important element than prudent administration and co-operation between public authorities. manufacturers and voluntary organisations. Domestic smoke was now the largest part of the problem and administrative measures must be backed by the supply of information to the public.