Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th. 1918 THE WEEK

Hokitika Guardian, 14 September 1918, Page 2

Hokitika Guardian & Evening Star SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 14th. 1918 THE WEEK

Thk care for the sick and needy is a necessary call and charge oa our humanity. This district- has done its part well. At the interview with the Hon. .Minister for Public Health on Thursday it- was shown that the cost for the maintenance of hospitals and the administration of charitable aid in this district was the second highest in the Dominion. This unenviable position in some respects, lias arisen because the district through, the directing Board, did not stint in its administration. Still, the high- cost has been a subject for much discussion and criticisni ) and it became necessary lately for the Board to review its administration, and take steps to curtail the cost by a retrenchment scheme which involved the closing of two of the outside institutions as hospitals. The Board tackled, an nil pleasant duty with some courage, after a lengthy period of consideration. That dtjjie, and the Board still found itself faced with various problems involving large expenditure if it, were to do its whole duty in respect to the responsibilities east upon it. One phase of the task ahead was the rebuilding ol the wooden portion of the Westland Hospital, which has been in fi decaying state for some years, and has passed into an insanitary condition. There is ■also urgent need for an infectious ward which would he all that its name supplies, a lit! not the dangerous makeshift which lias to be used at the local institution. There is too, the very urgent requirement of proper detached administrative quarters whore the staff can get suitable and restful accommodation, the hotter to tlieir duties after a period of decent rest and recreation. All this involved a large expenditure which the Board could not face out of if-s own resources.

For a long time now an appeal to tlio Government to redeem a former promise by an earlier Minister of Health, was without, avail, and the Board members past and present, must have lost all hope of justice being done to the district. At last the present, Minister came amongst us this week, and coming gave the members of a degree of hope and expectation, that, all would be well, which will encourage the Board to face its immediate problems in a different spirit, to that in which they had lapsed into. Mr Bussell made some very hopeful promises about the rebuilding scheme. He showed an earnest desire to heli). The Board mot him as

proceeded to propound his proposals quite as readily as he could expect, #nd the result is a very cheerful outlook for the whole' project affecting the future utility -of the Westland Hospital The Minister’s proposals are contingent upon Che conferences with the Ministers of Public "Works arid Finance Tu particular, and Cabinet as a whole. The desire to help in a material way if supported by his colleagues, Mr Bussell made plain and his sincerity and earnestness over the whole matter could not be doubted. On the contrary be seemed after a personal view of local conditions, -to be very seriously earnest and bis enthusiasm in regard to what has to he done, we hope, communicated itself to the Board members. He has promised a special grant to the Board, in addition to an increased subsidy, and further will provide loan moneys at a cheap rate, the capital of which he will assist to repay. The.scheme lias its intricacies, hut with the spirit in which it is being tackled there should he no doubt, under watchful perseverance, it will be brought, to pass which will be distinctly to the credit of Mr Bussell.

Tiie Minister showed a personal regard for the welfare of the Kumara and Ross communities from a medical stand point. Here of course, arises the question of cost. The Board has shown in the past that it is prepared to do a very groat deal for all the centres of population in regard" to providing medical services. This duty is governed by finance. The former system which obtained for so long proved too costly, and it remains to be seen whether the Minister's modified scheme can be done at a cost within the limits of the Board’s income. Mr Bussell proposes the creation of medical associations with frequent medical visits and a specially qualified nurse to net in the interrim To secure the standard required will alone be one of some difficulty, while the financing of such a scheme will require mature consideration. Cer-

tainly Mr Ruassll forecast - ! extra revenue'by increased subsidies, but a portion of this money must bo earmarked for capital expenditure, and it cannot be used for maintenance as well. The details probed, and a way out might be found by a return to the formerly successful work of raising sum..of money for hospital work by special effort. If, in addition, contributions or subscriptions to the Medical Associations suggested could carry subsidy part of the financial difficulty would be met. Tim utilisation of the Ross building for treatment of consumptives will require to be viewed from various standpoints. . Cost and climate are both involved, and the Hoard will need to move very charily in respect to this undertaking. [Efficiency in staffing is important in the success of sanatoria, and to secure the best experts might he very costly and for the effective treat meat of consumptives, it pays best i.< secure a staff of known capabilities. The Minister’s detailed offer in regard to this matter will be awaited with deep interest.

It is remarkable, when it is recalled that the St Helen’s Homes scheme was evolved by the late Mr Seddon, that tin institution of this character was not established in this electorate long ago. Maternity homos conducted under State aid have proved a boon to a very considerable section of the Dominion. The family *mon who spoke at the Board meeting on Thursday in giving their personal experiences, seemed to agree that the establishment of such an institution was long ovcduc here. Mr Russell’s suggestion was received by Board members with approbation, and the enthusiasm aroused, should result in the proposal being taken up here with some avidity. The Minister asked that the St Helen’s Home here be instituted as at Blenheim, on trial. He proposed that a suitable building bo selected under lease or rental, and as soon as a choice was made, bis officers- would inspect, and the financial side of the question would be gone into. At the low rate of fees indicated by the .Minister, the institution would require financing, and it remains to be seen how far this burden could be borne. In the crowded moments of tho interview, Mr Russell gave the members of the Boam j much food for reflection. All that he proposed was desirable, but it is a matter of ways and moans. As he pointed out himself, the Westland hospital district is the second highest rated, per head of population in the Dominion and the financial burden cannot go beyond that. Important as the whole subject of the public health is, the community cannot go beyond its financial resources. To give effect to all that Mr Russell has in mind for our benefit will involve large outlays which he must assist in helping to provide if the humane schemes he has proposed

are to be brought into effect. It was mentioned in the cable news on Wednesday that enemy raids'in the Argonne - and the Vosges ftad been repulsed. The day following brought news of. the American Negro forces operating in the Vosges and capturing villages. Yesterday came news of an actual American offensive, jumping off from St. Milliel. As mentioned in a note to the cable message yesterday, this offensive promises to bo very im- ' portant. What lias been hitherto considered the main section of the western front', is well held by French, British and Belgian troops. This applies to the range of front from Verdun to the English Channel. Beyond Verdun to the borders of France at Switzerland, there is a long stretch of country where there has been very little lighting during the period of the war. It- is a more 'mountainous region, including the high ranges of the Vosges, and the lesser mountains of Ardennes. Actually, it was iu this region where the Franco-German conflict was expected in the event of war, and the territory has (been heavily fortified. Germany elected, however," to launch the waxthrough Belgium, thus avoiding the heavy fortifications which France had prepared to block what was the natural and expected route of an invading foe. The French have been holding the front successfully throughout the war. At the outset, the French Army penetrated into Alsace, and held the lower extremity of that much coveted French soil taken from France- in

1870. When the Americans began to stream into France they were sent across, to this sector, anti relieved the French forces of the burden of the defence. The Theatre selected became the training around for the American Army, and in the months that have been intervening they have been able to make themselves familiar with the great natural features of the country. ■ Si'. Muiielj is on the l'iver Meuse, and is about twenty miles from the borders of Gorman Lorraine, ft is confronted by Metz, which is a citadel of great defensive strength. The offensive under General Pershing is one offering great possibilities, and is ,probably, a prelude to great happenings. The past two months have showed that the Franeo-Rritislii forces can hold their section of the Western front, and it is conceivable that if the American millions are to he located in the area beyond Verdun their objective will be German soil. President Wilson has declared that the war will be determined in the Western theatre, and lie. has directed that American help is to bo directed in its fullest strength to that quarter. Jt was announced this week that the America Secretary tor War (Mr. Baker) had arrived in France, and his visit wa's timed no doubt to witness the effect of the present opera* tions. The strategical stroke to be delivered bv such a blow will have its

effect all along tiio western front. It is conceivable that the invasion of German soil now threatened will have its immediate eeffet on the Flanders front. Where the recent fighting has progressed so successfully of late on the western front, the country fought over hit's been laid waste already by War. If'General Haig and the French commanders can establish winter quarters on a line involving Douai, Camhrai, St. Quentin, Laon and. Rheims, it might be sufficient to hold that formidable breastwork to save the further destruction of northern France, leaving it to the Amoricans to smash their way into Germany and give the enemy papulation a taste of war carried on in their own territory. The portion of France, adjacent to Verdun, held by the enemy, is rich in coal ami iron commodities which have been utilised by the Germans to the fullest extent in this great war. There may he ail offensive at any time now seeking to cut off this source of necessary supplies to the enemy. The sector the Americans appear to be making their own is one inviting aerial reconnaisancc on a considerable scale. It was expected ere this • that America would have flocks of air machines in Franco, but America can make mistakes like 'other oountries in the frenzy of war preparations, and the American

machine s have net materialised jet. We are. told that Aimerica is using borrowed machines meantime, so tho inference •is that the Liberty machines will be to band at no distant date. It has been remarked already that the j American sector is mountainous, and j this is the reason why aerial support 1 will be indispensible. The high coun- , try is not as trying as that of Italy, i L where the Allied soldiors and the eno- I. my carried on such bitter warfare, j Metz, or any other fortified place, will , ; lose a great- deal of its terror when it : is easily subjected to aerial attack-. It - will be the great task of the American airmen to demonstrate this belief. Metz is a pivot of tho German defensive line, and its fall would have a very material effect on the war. The moral effect would be far-reacliing, and the event- would signalise, doubtless, , tlie evacuation of a large portion of Allied country held in Europe at present by the enemy. The now offensive is of great significance, and may prove to bo j the real master stroke of General Foch’s interwoven plan to win tho war by a decisive military victory.