NATIONAL HEALTH.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1905, 21 November 1918, Page 2

NATIONAL HEALTH.

THE distinctness with which the war has emphasised the necessity to safeguard national health was stressed in a speech recently made in the House of Commons by Mr Lloyd George. The Premier said — What is the great lesson of the war ? It is that if Britain has to be thoroughly equipped to meet any emergencies of either war or peace it must take a more constant and a more intelligent interest in the health and lilness of the people. If the Empire is to lie equal to its task the men and women who make it up must be equal to it. How does Britain stand in that light ? We have done great things in this war. We would have accomplished greater if this country had been in condition; and a war, like sickness, lays bare (lie weakness of a constitution. What has been our weakness ? Let us talk quite frankly, We have had a Ministry of National Service and carefully compiled statistics of the health of (he people between the ages of 18 and -12. Now, that is the age of fitness, the age of strength. All I can tell you is that the results of these examinations are startling, and 1 do not mind using the word appalling. 1 hardly dare tell you the results. What does it moan? It means that we have used our human material in this country prodigally, foolishly, cruelly. 1 asked the Minister of National Service how many more men we could have put into the lighting ranks if (he health of the country had been properly looked after. 1 staggered at the reply. Jt was a considered reply, and it was “At least one million/' And the vigour and strength of the workers of this country have been unsatisfactory even in pursuits where all conditions are favourable to the development -of a line physique. The results in agriculture have been almost as disappointing as in any other industry.. In a thoroughly healthy occupation of that kind everywhere a virile race has been wasted by neglect and want of forethought, and it is a danger to the Stale and to the Empire. I solemnly warn my fellow-countrymen that you cannot maintain an Al Empire with a G 3 population.