I—6.

of that time she will sit for an examination and will thereafter be available for employment in the home-nursing service. It appears to the Committee that these hospital aides should be utilized in working under the directions of a general practitioner or the district nurse in the treatment and care of those patients whose illness is not of a serious nature or who can both economically and medically be treated at home rather than in an institution. 52. We were particularly gratified to learn from the evidence submitted by various women's organizations of the splendid service that is being rendered in necessitous cases by the provision of domestic assistance in the home—sometimes at a very low cost, and occasionally at no cost at all. 53. We would strongly urge the Government to utilize, wherever possible, the services of these existing organizations who have had considerable experience in work of this kind when it inaugurates a domestic-help service for those who require assistance in their homes during times of illness. PREVENTIVE MEDICINE. An Extended Education Campaign fob the Promotion op Health and Prevention op Disease. 54. Many witnesses before the Committee emphasized the need for greater attention to the promotion of health and the prevention of disease than is given at the present time. The representatives of the B.M.A. and other medical men were emphatic that environmental conditions play an important part in the building-up of a healthy body. These views concerning the need for improved housing and better conditions of life generally for the people are submitted to the Government for its serious consideration. We feel that the Government will welcome the support of a body such as the B.M.A. in its desire to improve the working and living conditions of the people. 55. The other evidence submitted to the Committee indicated that there is an appalling ignorance on the part of many people concerning matters affecting directly their health and well-being. 56. We feel that a great deal of illness in the community can be prevented. It is important, therefore, that the Government's efforts should not only be directed to the curing of disease, but to the promotion of health. We therefore recommend that a sum be set aside for education in the principles of health and healthy living. We believe that a great deal of medical attention and hospital care will not be necessary if the people are taught to pay due care to the promotion of healthy conditions of body and mind. 57. Evidence submitted to us convinced us that much unnecessary suffering is caused through failure to appreciate the importance of dietetics. Intemperance in eating and drinking would also appear to be a prolific source of illness. 58. While conceding, however, that there is room for much improvement along this line, the Committee realizes that, however much people are taught to live rightly, there will still be need of medical attention and hospital care. Accidents alone account for a considerable number of the patients in our public hospitals. There will, too, always be a number in the community who will disregard the best advice or warning that can be offered and who inevitably will require treatment. GENERAL. Post-graduate Study op Practitioners. 59. Authority should be conferred to enable the Department to make grants or incur other expenditure out of moneys appropriated for that purpose to enable medical practitioners to undergo post-graduate courses of instruction. EXEMPTIONS. 60. Representations were made to the Committee on behalf of the. Christian Scientists for exemption from that portion of the tax which may be utilized for the payment of medical men and Hospital Boards. We have given earnest consideration to this request and regret that we cannot recommend any exemptions to any body of persons in respect of any particular benefit. PART lI.—NATIONAL SUPERANNUATION AND SOCIAL SECURITY BENFITS. The proposals of the Government concerning the above are : — Invalidity Benefits. 61. (a) That a payment of 30s. per week be made to invalids when certified as permanently unfit for employment, with supplementary payments to the wife and each dependent child of the invalid of 10s. per week, with a maximum benefit of £4 per week ; this benefit to supersede the existing pension of 20s. per week. Sickness Benefit. (b) That sickness benefit of appropriate amounts be paid to men and women during periods when they are prevented from earning a livelihood by reason of sickness or accident; provision to be made for the payment of this benefit to the members of friendly societies through those societies.

10