The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast, Times. TUESDAY, AUGUST 18th, 1925. HEALTH IN THE EMPIRE.

Hokitika Guardian, 18 August 1925, Page 2

The Guardian And Evening Star, with which is incorporated the West Coast, Times. TUESDAY, AUGUST 18th, 1925. HEALTH IN THE EMPIRE.

Tkstimony to the value ot the work that is being done by the health section of the League of Nations was given in an address to the lloyal Society ot Arts by Dr. Andrew Balfour. “Perhaps the most significant trend in modern hygiene is that, international co-operation which has sprung into being srtue men ceased slaughtering each other," he said. “There has never previously been a union of peoples on a large scale, not solely for the purpose of safeguarding themselves front the ravages of disease, hut with the avowed intention of .stamping out disease, wherever found, and of spreading light and learning.’' Dr. Balfour expressed the opinion turn the British Empire is not taking its full share in this work and is neglecting its own responsibilities to the •!()(),- Odd,ooo of its peoples. The great selfgoverning Dominions can be left to look after their own public health allairs, in some ways, perhaps, they manage them better than we do ours—but from an Imperial standpoint it would lie well if they were in (loser connection with the .Mother Country," he continued. “There is much they can yet leant from England, there is much that England can learn front them, and some of them, like Canada, Australia and New Zealntl, with all their loyalty and traditions are tending to drht away in matters hygienic. Of course, it is difficult to keep in touch, hut the new London School of hygiene, when it comes into being, should he able to act as a co-ordinating centre. But much more is required than isolated endeavour. As<' nation wo aro not yet fully live to the needs of our tropical colonies from the health point of view. Tilings, no doubt, are very much bettor than they were, at least in certain territories, but there is a lamentable lack of sympathetic and scientific co-operation. We do not deserve to own some parts of our possessions. for at the present moment, from a hygienic- standpoint, they are a disgrace to the British Hag. 1 have no hesitation in saying that the Americans are justified in the feelings with which they view most of the British A Vest Indies and that the Dutch are more than justified in looking upon some of our hygienic efforts in the Far East with a kind of pitying contempt. As we cannot now lead in the co-operation movement, let us imitate it and improve upon it within the confines of the Empire.