TO SAFEGUARD HEALTH

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11653, 18 October 1923, Page 5

TO SAFEGUARD HEALTH

ADVICE FOR WELLINGTONIANS. BY MEDICAL COMMITTEE The Health Week Executive last night received the report pf tho Medical Committee, which dealt at some length with improvements needed m the city and suburbs for the securing of the better health of the community. The committee Strongly supported the system of municipal nulk supply m operation in Wellington, urged its con ttnuance, and trusted that every effort would be made to improve the system-. Atte-ntion was drawn to the bad effects of the present housing conditions, and it was suggested that increased attention should be paid to the more efficient ventilation of theatres, halls, buildings and shops. The committee recommended that continuous and effective measures should bo introduced’ for the destruction of rats, and ill that respect considered that the ratpropfing of buildings should receive due attention. Further provision of open-play spaces for children was also strongly ‘advocated. The report added that much remains to be done to encourage personal liy giene by the provision of municipal hot baths to meet the needs, specially of those residing in apartments and hoarding-houses, where such necessary facilities were often quite inadequate. The use of basements of buildings for occupation as. work-rooms or livingrooms was discountenanced; a safetyfirst campaign to impress upon the public- generally their share of responsibility in the matter of accidents was recommended, as the necessity for more effective steps: being taken to prevent excessive speeding, was stressed ; it was also urged that- steps should bo taken to ensure an improved standard of cooking.

The report deprecated the excessive consumption of sugar in the Dominion, and especially thought that efforts should he made to reduce tlio temptations and facilities offered-to children for obtaining sweets.