H.~ 31

1905. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT. BY THE MINISTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH, THE HON. SIR J. G. WARD, K.C.M.G.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

My Lord,— Department of Public Health, Wellington, 4th September, 1905. I have the honour to submit to Your Excellency the fifth annual report of the Chief Health Officer of the Colony. I have the honour to be Your Lordship's most obedient servant, J. G. Wabd, His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand. Minister of Public Health.

Despite the occurrence throughout the past year of cases of plague at various times in New South Wales and Queensland, there has not, I am pleased to say, been any outbreak in New Zealand. The somewhat drastic measures against small-pox last year have been justified. The disease was completely stamped out, and there, has been ho further importation. There is now in working-order a laboratory planned and built.on the latest scientific principles for the manufacture of pure calf-lymph. ■ The crusade against consumption is still being waged with earnestness, and good results have been obtained. The public generally are beginning to realise not only the infectious nature of the disease, but are becoming alive to its curability not less than the possibility of completely stamping it out by means of proper precautionary, measures. Much remains to be done, but I feel assured New Zealand has no cause to feel ashamed of her work in this most laudable direction. That- the forward position we have taken up on health matters has not escaped the eyes of our neighbours is evinced by the following extract from a recent report by an Australian expert: — We thus find in Australasia a process of administrative development in which South Australia stands at the buttons and New Zealand at the top. Such being the case, it appears to be the obvious duty of this State to profit by experience, and aim at the higher plane of New Zealand legislation. " If that aim be too high in our present stage of development, let us at least try to improve on our position. The Sanatorium at Cambridge is now in full swing, and excellent results have been obtained I have again to record my thanks to, and appreciation of the work of, the various officers of the Department from the Chief Health Officer downwards. I have, &c, . J. G. Ward, His Excellency the Governor. Minister of Public Health, - i—H. 31.