The Dominion. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1918. HEALTH AND HOUSING

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 52, 26 November 1918, Page 4

The Dominion. TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 1918. HEALTH AND HOUSING

The thorough and systematic visitation of the homes of the people of Wellington rendered necessary by the influenza epidemic has brought to light some unpleasant facts regarding the unhealthy surroundings amid which a considerable section , of the community lives. After making due allowance for the exaggeration of excited people and for hasty generalisation, it is quite evident that the slum evil is more deep-rooted and-extensive than most of us had previously imagined, and the insanitary _ conditions existing in somelocalities call for prompt and .vigorous action on the part of the authorities. The epidemic has shown the necessity for a well-organised campaign against insanitary dwellings, overcrowding, dirt,-and ignorance. In a young country like New Zealand there is no valid excuse for the existence of slums. They should never have been allowed to establish themselves. We started with a clean slate, and it is deplorable that we should have- permitted some of the worst features of the great cities of the Old World to reproduce _ themselves in our midst. But it is useless to waste' time in vain regrets. We have to face the fact that slum areas have come into being in our principal cities, and recant events show that they must ba eradicated with all possible speed. The epidemic has demonstrated the truth of the old.saying that "no man livcth unto himself." Men or women who ignore the elementary rules of health are a danger to the whole community as well as to themselves. The diseases which onginato in slums do, not always stay there. By known and unknown ways they spread to other neighbourhoods, reminding us of the strength of the bonds that bind our common humanity together. ■ Tho epidemic has deepened our' idea of the meaning of the word "community. Wo all have so much in common that if one suffers all suffer; and the welfare of each contributes to the welfare of all. We are all interdependent in a thousand ways. \\e are a "commonty." It is quite certain that we will nave to do a great'deal more'in the future than in the past to < safeguard the public health. The war has emphasised the need of organised and scientific efforts to combat disease and to increase the physical , fitness of the people, A system of medical inspection of schools has already been established. This, however, is only a beginning. Something must be done to ensure that the defects discovered by the doctors are promptly and effectually remedied. But.the seeds of ill-health are often sown before the child has reached school age, and it is becoming more, and more evident that tho State will have to c'ommence its supervision while the child is still in its cradle. The public interest demands that every child shall be well born, well nurtured, and well taught. If our young people are to have a fair start, and an opportunity of living complete and useful ■lives, they must be given a healthy environment. This means that the state or the municipalities, or both will have to grapple in a resolute manner with the housing problem, ihe efforts of the school doctor must in a large measure fail in the case of children who live in surroundings which make good health almost an impossibility. As a matter of fact, some of our national schools arc far from satisfactory from the sanitary point of view. The Government should lose no time in removing this reproach. It is the duty of the State to set a high standard as regards public health, and to compel others to follow its example. _ A more thorough system or inspection of houses is imperative. Overcrowding must be prevented and dwellings unfit for human habitation must bo made fit or destroyThe time has arrived for the extirpation. of slums. It .is a big task beset by many'difficulties, l but it can be done if it is tackled with wisdom and courage. The longer it is postponed the more difficult it will be. The housing problem cannot be solved without spending money, but if a sound solution is discovered the expenditure will be fully justified. It is better to pre-' vent disease than to cure it, and the money spent in prevention will lessen the cost of cure. The campaign against the present influenza epidemic is going to cost a lot of money, but we all recognise that whatever is necessary to be clone must be done. Would it not be good policy to spend a similar sum—or much more if necessary—if by so doing the community could be guaranteed against the recurrence of such epidemics? What shall it profit a State or a city if it saves its money and loses . its health 1 Wealth is only valuable in so far as it begets welfare.