"IMPORTANT STEP"

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 124, 27 May 1937, Page 17

"IMPORTANT STEP"

PREVENTIVE MEDICINE

ROLE OF/HEALTH CAMPS

Health camps/are described as one of the most important steps in preventive medicine so far' taken by the community'./by the president of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical/Association (Dr. T. D. M. StoutV who has issued a statement in support of the King, George V Memorial Fund appeal. '■ • 'The medical profession has always deeply appreciated and profoundly admired the intelligent ancl' beneficent interest that has continuously been taken in; medical science and in the health of, the community, by members of our beloved Royal Family," said Dr., Stout. "The King Edward VII Hospital Fund is one concrete illustration of the active and practical interest, in medicine, taken by , the grandfather of our present King.

LIFE OF SERVICE.

"The late King George [V's epithet of 'Father of his people' was most adequately earned by a lifetime of humble and never-ending service on behalf of all his subjects, and he was ever anxious to help, in every way, any project having:as its aim the improvement in the health and welfare of his people and especially cf the children. Nothing,; I am certain, would have given hiiri more pleasure than to give his help and encouragement in the institution of camps , throughout his Empire, for- the benefit of the health and with it the real happiness of the young children. Is it not our duty, therefore, in deeply honouring his name, and showing our appreciation of his beneficent reign over the : Empire, of which we are -so proud to be a small but profoundly loyal part, to further, witji every effort .. of which we are capable, the memorial • which would have given him such heartfelt pleasure if he were still alive. . I can. assure', the people of New Zealand that the medical profession unanimously; recommends the objective selected as a memorial in this country.. We have watched with the greatest interest and pleasure the great -improvements in tlie health of the children, who have haid the privilege of attending the camps during the last "few years. Not only has there been improvements in health, which can be measured; by the in- . crease in weight, and obviously improved wellbeing and *yitality, but, there fs, maybe even more important, the training of the chiMren in the great and all-important ' details, of healthy living and a weß-choseri and balanced diet. The education also of the weakly child to appreciate the open-air life must alwayjs... remain :as a constant-corrective to a«y" later tendency to ill health. Thjis education will be steadily diffused throughout the.families'of these chilpren and'so throughout the, community. AN BttpbRTANT STEP. . "The children's Health Camps are perhaps one of ■ the • mosit important steps in . preventive medicine so far taken by rthe, commiinity^ and the medical': profession,.,realising so well what preventive medicine lof this type can achieve, can,do nothirjg but give it its utmost;^support and cijanmendihe movemeftt^tD. thesgeneroaaty of, She people. ■*£ ,^1 i-.v-- - %£■■ "H, as I fielieve, a,-solidi foundation can-.'.be. thereby,-laid for t/ije camps'.to reniain as a permanent psirt ■of our social life the. results to jihe. future generations .of .New Zealaaiders will be incalculable; I hope thatithe camps will be always known as (the King George V Health Camps, j a living memorial,of healthy, active.iand happy yoqng children.-surely the Jmost wonderful memorial that any tman, .exen a King, cap be given. OurSjprideh'anH. faith, iri: A Ne:wiiZealand ;:arid;^its \f iiture can<;surely "best :6e 'visualiseoHJ by.,»a.: picture of" a land of smiling m\d sunny children, the descendants- ofi'our British.race Of which King Geoqge-was,sb proud, ' . ;' : '■ "May we show by suppc*t of 'this memorial how much we as $lew:Zea-landers-loved and admired dur gracious Sovereign King Georga V." ■