TUBERCULOSIS MENACE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18197, 16 September 1922, Page 10

TUBERCULOSIS MENACE.

A LOW DEATH-RATE.

FIGHTING THE SCOURGE.

THE HOUSING PROBLEM.

[BY T'iXEQIIArn.—SPECIAL "REPORTER.] WELLINGTON. Friday.

Referring to tuberculosis the report of the Health Department states that last year the death-rate of 6.48 per 10,000 of the mean population is the second lowest on record. The campaign against this disease is one of the. most difficult and important problems that faces any department of health. * The extended provision c»f sanatoria is at the present time engaging the earnest consideration of the department, and in the near future additional accommodation will be provided at Waipiata in Central' Ota go to the extent of fifty heds. Not on the Government alone, says the report, should rest the full burden of tho campaign against this disease, for undoubtedly nospital boards and local authorities must bear their share of responsibility. In regard to hospital boards there is an increasing tendency to, in some measure, meet the demands for the treatment of cases arising within their

districts. In the general scheme of prevention housing is of vital importance, and is a question within tho particular province of local authorities. In a report presented hy a special committee of the Board of Health in 1919 on housing conditions in this country it was computed that 134 per cent, of the population are living in crowded conditions amounting to over 136,000 of the inhabitants. Of this number there were 209 cases of 3$ persons living in a single room, 498 of 3 to 3J persons per room, and 1550 of from 2J to 3 persons per room. We find people of all classes who appear prepared to live under crowded, uncomfortable, and often socially disagreeable conditions by paying a high rent for a " bed-sitting room, double bed, and use of kitchen," or " two rooms and kitchenette."