DEVELOPMENTS IN BRITAIN

Greymouth Evening Star, 1 July 1942, Page 6

DEVELOPMENTS IN BRITAIN

PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRESS RUGBY, June 30. The Minister of Health (Mr Ernest Brown),‘in the .Commons, said the birth-rate, which had fallen from 1 20.9 in 1916 to 14.2 in 1941, had risen in the first quarter of 1942 to 15.5. The rate of infectious diseases since the war was actually below the usual. Pneumonia, one of the most dangerous diseases in war or peace, had been subjected to new methods of treatment, and he hoped there would be continued improvement. At the beginning of the war, it' was feared the incidence of diseases would increase owing to the strain of war conditions, but the reverse had proved to be the case. During two and ahalf' yc&rs of war, the number of mental diseases had fallen from 30,000 to 26,000. CANADIAN FIRE FIGHTERS

RUGBY, June 30. The first contingent of the Corps of Canadian fi.rp fighters has arrived in Britain, and received a warm welcome from the Minister of Home Security and London crowds, in •Trafalgar Square, to-day. While preserving their identity as a corps they will be under the control of tne National'Fire'Services. . ■ ' ' In a speech, Mr Morrison spoke of Canada’s contribution to the war ef-forts-Canadian troops were one of the main bulwarks of Britain, and in due time would be one of the main Spearheads •in the attack on the enemy. The Canadian Navy has grown from 15 ships to 400. Canada has also made a magnificent contribution to the air training scheme, also in the production of munitions and planes. Mr Vincent Massey, Canadian High Commissioner, said the firemen were going to take part in the defence of some of the nwst important cities and towns in Britain.

THANKS TO S. AFRICA. ’RUGBY, June 30. Mr. Churchill, in the Commons, expressed the appreciation felt by the British Government for the kindness and hospitality invariably extended to all members of the fighting services passing through South Africa. YOUTH COUNCIL LONDON, June 30. The first meeting of the British Youth Advisory Council, which was appointed on June 16, was held in London to-day. The President of the Board of Education (Mr R. A. Butler) said that the future of young people had be&n laid at the door of the Board of Education, and unless they proceeded on sound lines he did not see how they could weather the next 30 years. Mr J. F. Golfenden, Headmaster of Uppingham School, said it was open to the Council to deal with any problem affecting youth and to submit views to the Board. FOODSHIP - ARRIVES RUGBY, June 30. The first American ship carrying subsistence supplies reached a British port recently. The cargo included large quantities of milk, fruit, vegetables, dried and whole eggs, powdered peanuts, butter, and bacon. BATTLEDRESS FOR WORKERS LONDON, June 30. Battledress is being prepared for both sexes of factory war workers. The first use of it will be offered to men. If it proves popular, a special design for women will be produced before the winter. The price will probably be £l/1/-. DOCKERS’ CANTEENS. LONDON, June 30. Mr. Bevin, in a speech on the Merseyside, gave an assurance to the dockers, that canteens would be continued after the war. The Government would also introduce a dockers’ medical service similar to that in the factories.