MINISTER FOR HEALTH

White Ribbon, Volume 20, Issue 1, 1 February 1948, Page 8

MINISTER FOR HEALTH

It was with considerable pleasure that the announcement of Miss Mabel Howard’s appointment to the portfolio of Health was received among all women who look forward to the full recognition of the ability and fitness of their sex to occupy public position so long held entirely by men. Apart from all party bias, there was a healthy satisfaction in the realisation that a woman was a suitable person for this particular field. Miss Howard has not been content merely to act in a conventional, traditional groove, and the wisdom of the appointment has been evidenced by many examples of initiative and individuality on her part. We especially congratulate Miss Howard on her attitude regarding Mental Hospitals. Her earnest endeavour to improve the general conditions for mentally sick peope, both in regard to their physical well-being while undergoing treatment in the mental hospital, and to the removing to some appreciable extent, of the “stigma’’ so long allowed to increase the sorrow and distress of patients and their relatives, has commanded the respect and gratitude of many who may not see eye to eye with her in the field of open politics. Womens organisations have sent forward remits for years asking that certain health precautions should be made compulsory, unavailingly. Miss Howard’s forthright procedure regarding the wrapping of bread, though at the moment of going to press still somewhat resented by retailers, brought to a head and disposed of a long dissatisfaction with the crude, unpleasant handling of our staple food. Other reforms may he expected. A

notalde one would be the carrying out of a very often reiterated request that sugar should be enclosed in calico or paper before being put into the regulation "sugar bag.” The amount of foreign matter contained in sugar placed in direct contact with the material of the bag can be easily assessed by the simple straining of sugar syrup through muslin. The result is something of a revelation. Of course, this particular problem has not worried us during the war and post-war years, but it will be interesting to see whether the strong womanly commonsense of our Minister of Health will not bring about the very necessary change. Small things, perhaps, but in the aggregate, such things mean a great deal. Miss Howard’s ability has been revealed in other ways too numerous to mention here. We join very sincerely in thanking her for what she has done, and in wishing for her success in her undertakings on behalf of the people of New Zealand who seek as a magnum bonum a reputation for their country as a healthful, happy place to live in. worthy of its sunny, delightful climate.