THE “ADVERTISING” BAN

Hokitika Guardian, 15 April 1926, Page 1

THE “ADVERTISING” BAN

I DOCTORS AND THE MEDICAL ; COUNCIL. LONDON, February 20. Many congratulations have reached ' Sir William Arbuthnot Lane, the sur- ’ goon, on his intimation to the London ! Clinical Society that the New Health : Society, of which he is president, intends to use the Press as its ally in bringing homo to the public, what it must do to keep healthy. Speaking of the General Medical Council, which fetters any medical mail who wishes to educate tlie public through the Press, Sir William said to a. “Daily Alail ” reporter yesterday: The General Medical Council has been tlie unfortunate means of placing an obstruction in ibe way of the education of the publisc in matters of health owing to its opposition to medical men signing articles in the Press. Both the public and the Press are. however, convinced that the Council has learned the great interest that is taken in the health of the community, and are quite satisfied that it will reconsider its position and take a more .reasonable and common-sense view of the situation. It may even take an active share in helping to improve the health of the community and to free civilisation from avoidable disease. NO ULTERIOR MOTIVE,

The share that the Press lias taken in aiding the health and happiness of the community by broadcasting to the people of Great Britain such important statements as have been made on dietetic habits by recognised medical authorities has called forth the admiration and respect of nil educated people.

Tt is recognised that the only real means of education that the majority of the public, possesses is that allpowerful medium, the Press, which endeavours to do its utmost, for the advantage of the community with no more ulterior motive than the consciousness of the benefits ; t, confers. One can safely assert that the stand taken by the British Press places it in the van of progress and makes it the leading organ by which the deleterious conditions of civilisation will lie modified without detriment to the comforts and pleasures associated with it.

The Press can also serve a most important purpose by urging the general use of refrigerating apparatus for the purpose of conveying and storing fruit end green vegetables on the lines employed in the United States. Apart from the fact that an immense amount of this very necessary food is wasted in Great Britain by ignorance and the want of application of efficient refrigeration, we must learn how to supply cheaper fruit and cheaper vegetables. Both are vitally necessary, and if either is beyond the reach of anybody a means should be found of bringing Hie prices down.