LONGER LIVES

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 119, 10 August 1927, Page 8

LONGER LIVES

THOSE -who complain so incessantly of the “awful climate,’’ which is always too wet or too dry, too hot or too cold, in whatever part of the Dominion they happen to he, should ponder on the statement of the British “Medical Journal,” which places New Zealand as the healthiest country in the world. In England and Wales, the average at death is 56 for males and 60 for females. In America the average is 58. In New Zealand, males live on an average to the age of 62f years, and females to 65 years. If climate has any great effect on health and longevity, there must be many countries with a worse climate than that of New Zealand. But there are many factors which affect the duration of life. Firstly, there is the building of a good physical foundation in youth. Here New Zealand scores heavily, starting with the admirable Plunket system in infancy, and following with periodical medical inspection at school, the provision of many line playgrounds for growing youth, and legislation which ensures that the young worker will labour only so many hours in the most sanitary surroundings. Another factor which makes for longevity is the placid temperament of the New Zealander. Generally speaking, he is not given to worry. In New York you see citizens rushing to and fro as though every day were their last and a year’s work stretched ahead of them. You never see people rushing about like that in New Zealand—unless they are late for the races or football. But they get things done, just the same; and they live longer. If the expectation of life continues to increase, New Zealand will be known in the near future as the Land of Centenarians. t