THE EVIL OF NOISE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 31 May 1930, Page 2

THE EVIL OF NOISE

EFFECT ON THE NERVES SYDNEY DOCTOR'S COMPLAINT In a recent address in Sydney to the members of the New Health Society of New South Wales Dr. Donald Eraser contended that people did not realise how very sesious ,she question of noise was becoming. He emphasised how great was the strain on the nervous system caused by the demands which the overworking of the auditory system made on the brain in the attempt to adapt and concentrate amid noise. It might not be noticed at the time, but the damage was done. o ne of the greatest effects of noise that was constantly coming before doctors was insomnia. Not the least attempt was made to control noise after 11 or 12 .o'clock at night. Replying to a question as to preventive measures, Dr. Fraser said that he had hoped for results from a recent deputation to the Minister of Health, as that Minister was a doctor, but he feared that when a man had been a politician a certain number of years he almost ceased to be human. The politicians sat up all night listening to each other, so apparently they liked noise. Mr A. Pixley, who presided, said that the society had appointed a small working committee-to go into the matter of noise abatement in detail. In the complaints which had been received on the subject, the motor cycle took first place. A deputation to the Government was being arranged, and magistrates had been asked to do what they could to deal with cases of ineffective silencers. Mr Pixley said he understood that the Government intended to give the Harbour Trust power to deal with the motor boat nuisance.