“HEALTH WEEK.”

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18947, 22 August 1923, Page 2

“HEALTH WEEK.”

AX ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING THE PROPOSAL LAUNCHED. The Town Hall was well filled yesterday afternoon With an enthusiastic attendance of those interested in the question of organising a “Health .Week” in the city. The Mayor (Mr H. L. Tapley) occupied the chair, and Dr T. MTvibbin, District Health Oflicor, was in attendance. The Mayor expressed gratification at the large attendance, which was in response to an invitation extended to citizens for the purpose of considering the holding of a “Health Week” on the same lines as those held in the United Kingdom. He mentioned that « "Health Week” was first held in 1914, and it was now observed in 200 different cities. He paid a tribute to Dr AFKibbin, who had suggested a "Health Week” for Dunedin. lie (the Mayor) readily acquiesced in the suggestion to convene a meeting for the' purpose of discussing the matter. Ho felt that they were under a deep debt of gratitude to Dr M’Kibbin, who, as Public Health Officer, had initiated the broad scheme for the benefit of the public health of the city. The Mayor said the improvement of health conditions was fast approaching its limits on existing lines, and no further general advance could be expected until the people themselves have been aroused to a sense of their responsibilities; for the health of a community depends as much on the man himself as on his surroundings, and on personal hygiene and cleanliness as much as on the work of the sanitary authority. The, splendid work which was being ddne by health authorities lost much of it® effect for want of an adequate response on the part of those for whom it was done. The way in which health week had been received and the interest which had been aroused wherever a well-considered programme had been carried out showed that it met a widely-felt need. People wanted to know how to be healthy, they were surprised to know how simple the laws of health were, and there could be no doubt that the celebrations which had taken place had already been productive of widespread and lasting good. The speaker then proceeded to outline items for a programme for "Health Week,” mentioning sermons in churches and chapels, lessons in Sunday schools, addresses, P.S.A.’s, and societies and adult schools, lessons and addresses in day schools, essays by children, health talks at factories, etc., lantern lectures and kinematograph shows, health exhibitions, baby competitions, healthy houses, furnishing, cleaning, model cottages, general cleaningup days, schools, use as centres for lectures and demonstrations. He suggested that the subjects for lectures could be hygiene in daily life; consumption, its cause, prevntion, and cure; open-air schools; food in health and disease; microbes; our secret friends and foes : soap and water; clothing and personal hygiene; the house wo live in; the health of a school child; formation of health habits; hygiene in the home, flies and disease; physical culture; games and recreations; mice, rats, and other vermin as carriers of infection ; and many other subjects. Ho moved—

1. That this public meeting affirms tho desirability of organising a ’Health Week” Tor Dunedin, and is of opinion that tho dates on which the proposals should bo put into effect should be from October 7 to 13, thus synchronising with the movement that is to be held in most of the cities in the Old Country. 2. That those present form themselves into a general committee to control the proposed organisation, with power to set up sectional committees and define the scope and powers of such committees, with a view to the successful attainment of the aims and objects of a “Health Week” as outlined by the Royal Sanitary Insli-

tute of England. Dr M’Kibbin, in seconding the motion, gave a general outline of the ,scheme proposed. He said the object of “Health Week” was to focus public attention for one week in the year on matters of health, and to arouse that sense of persfcnal responsibility for health, without which all public worn, whether by the Government or local authorities, must fail far short of its aims. It was suggested that the dominant idea should be “self-help in health” and the consideration of what each individual oould do for himself and his neighbour in securing a healthy life. The immediate purpose of health week was to make health during the week the chief topic of public concern, to secure recognition of the fact that disease is a thing which can and should be prevented, to impart sound information as to public and personal hygiene, and to build up a public opinion which would not tolerate a high disease rate or excessive • infant mortality, and which felt as a personal reproach the sight of an ill-nourished or neglected child. The motion was then put and carried amid applause. _ ' The following committees were then appointed ; General Committee. —All present, with power to add to the number. Chairman and convenor, the Mayor (Mr H. L. Tapley) ; vice-chairman, Cr E. Sincook. Five to form a quorum. Professional Committee.—Dr Fergus (president of the Otago brancli British Medical Association), chairman and convener; Professor Hercus, vice-chairman; and eighth members of the association; tho Otago branch of the New Zealand Dental Association, the president (Mr Chrystall), Messrs Burt and Barron; Professor Hercus (Otago Medical School), Professors Rawson and Strong, Dr Falconer (superintendent Dunedin Hospital), Air W. D. R. M'Curdio (city engineer), Mr .Light-foot (officer-in-charge Factories Department), Mr W. D. Snowball (Department of Agriculture), Mrs J. _A. Johnstone (president of tho Royal Plunket Society), Dr Irwin (school medical officer), Dr T.” M’Kibbin (medical officer of health), the president of the Architects’ Association, Dr H. Lindo Ferguson, and the Rev. V. G. Bryan King, with power to add to the • mi tuber.

Entertainment and Programme Committee. —The Mayor and all tho Dunedin City Councillors, Major Lampen, Air R. Bennell, Air Drew, the Alayors of St. Kikla and other boroughs, Airs Carmalt Jones, Mr P. Noilson (president of the Otago Trades and Labour Council), Air W. E. S. Knight (chairman of the Otago Hospital Board), Mrs Leech, and Airs Bennett. Mr Bennell was appointed convener and chairman. Publicity Committee. —Alessrs James Hutchison, W. F. Alexander, J. Inglis Wright, all the City Councillors, managers of all picture theatres, the medical officer of health, Alessrs W. B. Steel, T. Somerville, P. Neilson, and S. B. Alacclonald, with Air Alacdonald as chairman end convener. University, Colleges, and Schools Committee.—The Chancellor of the University, the chairman of the Education Board, the chairman of the High Schools Board of Governors, the president of the Otago branch Educational Institute, Dr Irwin (school. medical officer), Alessrs O. R. Bossence and W. Eudey, the rector of the Otago Boys’ High School, the principal of the Otago Girls’ High School, head masters of tho primary schools, the principal of tho Christian Brothers’ School, Miss Alexander (president of the Free Kindergarten Association), and Mr J. Rennie, Air Rennie to bo chairman and convener. Committee Representing tho Churches.— The Council of Churches to nominate representatives, Bishop Richards, Bishop Whyte, the Rev. M. Diamond, and Air J. Farquharson. . . . , An Inner Executive, consisting of the conveners of committees and tho Alayor (Air Tapley), was also appointed. The Alayor announced that Air C. Evans would act "as secretary of tho various commit toes.