“Too Much Bad Health In N.Z.”

Northern Advocate, 30 November 1939, Page 2

“Too Much Bad Health In N.Z.”

[Special to “Northern Advocate ”] WELLINGTON, This-Day. In a country like New Zealand, with a population of a million and a half it was extremely disturbing to find that there was such a large number in hospital, said Sir James Elliott, at the annual meeting of the District Nui\sing Guild of St. John yesterday. In Great Britain, Germany and other countries there had been a great improvement in the physique and health of the people in the last few years, continued Sir James. “Makes One Wonder.” He would like to think that applied to New Zealand, but the fact that so much hospital treatment was required, and that there was so much need for district nursing, made one wonder if New Zealand zvas doing all it could. “I suppose any person who reflects wonders if the health of the people is as good now as it. was 10 or 20 years ago. or in the pioneer days,” said Sir James. “I know the district nurses work largely in the more closely settled areas near Wellington and I know the standard of living of many .of the .people in the congested parts of the city leaves much to be desired so far as domestic hygiene, recreation and diet are concerned.’' Wrong State of Mind. It was a matter of concern that so many married people were living in one musty room, for which they paid a large rent, That must have some; influence in Increasing the work of the Nursing Guild. Such living conditions might engender a state of mind, so that people were more inclined to spend their money on transient amusement, rather than on domestic comfort.