PUBLIC HEALTH

Waikato Times, Volume 118, Issue 19758, 13 December 1935, Page 9

PUBLIC HEALTH

RED CROSS SOCIETY. ANNUAL MEETING HELD. VIEWS OF NEW MINISTER. (By Telegraph—rress Association.) WELLINGTON .Thursday. Expressions of gratitude to the New Zealand Red Cross Society lor tlie work it had done and was doing in the community were voiced by the Minister of Health, the Hon. P. Leaser, the Director-General of Health, Dr. M. H. Watt, Dr. Bowerbank, and others at the annual meeting to-day. They emphasised the desirability of consolidation and unification of effort between the society and the Order of st. ' John, and kindred associations. A welcome was extended to Mr • Fraser, and also to Colonel J. Esson, Dominion chairman of the Order of St. John, Dr. Watt, Miss Lambic, director of the Nursing Division, Mr E. J. Parr, chief inspector of secondary schools, native school inspectors and several others. Mr Fraser said it was very pleasant to see that not only the Health Department worked in with the society, but also the Education Department, particularly the native schools section. On behalf of the Government, he extended to the society cordial and best wishes for the continued success and expansion of the society and kindred bodies working in co-operation. Service to Public. Dr. Watt said one of the primary functions of the Health Department was to inform the public in matters of health, and it would be a hopeless task but for the association of societies such as the Red Cross. His presence was an indication of the department's Interest in the society. Health of Native Children. Referring to the health problem among native children, Mr Fraser said be had visited some of the native schools, and had 'seen evidence of the activities of the Health Department. A great deal had been done, but after a preliminary conversation with Dr. Watt he was quite convinced that a great deal more had to be done for the native children if the race were to getproper opportunity to develop. He would be glad to have the help of and suggestions from any _ who could contribute to knowledge in regard to this matter. The Health Department was very much alive to the necessity of a proper plan to cope with the devastation of certain diseases, which were avoidable, preventable, and, even when caught in the early stages, curable. Whatever it .was possible to do would be done.