THE PUBLIC HEALTH ACT.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 18 January 1901, Page 4

THE PUBLIC HEALTH ACT.

During a discussion at Christchurch the other day Dr Mason, head of the new Health Department, was at considerable pains to explain that there was no intention to remove from local bodies the responsibility of keeping the districts free from disease. There had never been any such intention on the part of the framers of the Act. The Government officers should be regarded in the light of active advisers of the local bodies rather than as usurpers of the duties of local health officers. There would not be the slightest attempt to interfere unnecessarily in local matters, with regard to nuisances, or anything else. What was wanted was that the present state of affairs should continue as far as possible, and that every man should be encouraged to add to the healthiness and beauty of his own home. If, however, any dispute arose with regard to what was or was not a nuisance, then the central authority would step in and give its decision. It would also exercise the powers given to it when any local body neglected its duties with regard to sanitation, to the menace of the health of the community. He desired to strongly emphasise the fact that the central authorities appointed under the new Act desired to work with the local bodies for the good of all, and he would be sorry if any other idea obtained a hold.