THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25173, 13 March 1943, Page 2

THE HEALTH OF THE PEOPLE

Sir, —I have just heard Mr Nordmeyer’s broadcast on this subject. He has said that any setback in the public health is to be expected under war conditions, and explained that the failure of the Government to do all it would have liked to do in the interests of public health was due'to the difficulties involved in a state of war. Providence would indeed seem to have been kind to New Zealand when this one-sided view, which has regard only to the difficulties created by war, and is bblivious to the glorious opportunities which a state of war creates, is held by the Minister. Surely if there is one inference to be made from the fact that war creates dangers to the public health it is that in war-time a special endeavour suited to the circumstances should be made to protect the public health. Surely the history of the last war should have burned this truth’ into the minds of our administrators. It is extraordinary that a Government which has insisted on the whole community being taxed in order that every man should so far as possible have all his medical attention paid for out of these taxes should fail to realise that a state of war created a glorious opportunity for tne launching of an effective campaign of preventive medicine with a minimum of effort and expense. At the present time, with the censorship that exists, a detailed description of the great things which could have been done by example and precept by the Government would not be allowed to be published, so I refrain from giving it. I content myself by saying that it has been a great grief to ,me to see this great opportunity being neglected in spite of endeavours by various people to induce the powers-that-be to avail themselves of it.—l am, etc., Southern Cross M.D. Dunedin, March 8.