NATIONALISATION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 49, 18 July 1914, Page 6

NATIONALISATION.

To the Editor, Kir,— Voy.r leader and sub-leader this morning should ue read together. as they both bear mi that must important ijuestion— the public health. Every argument that can bo used in favor of a national service for post-olliee, railways, police or education—all of which we now liave and approve of —can with ecjual cogency, be used in favor of nationalisation of hospitals and all the medical ami health services; and under the health services would come a systematic public instruction as to how to regard microbes and how to deal with them. Just the samo old arguments are now used against nationalisation of hospitals as were used forty years ago against nationalisation of education-interference with individual liberty (to be ignorant and have ignorant children if one so choose), pauperising the people, starving the teachers, etc. These have been laid so far as education is concerned. and knowledge is more widely spread while teachers are held in higher esteem and better paid, yet the public does not regard itself as pauperised. It is just the. natural aversion to change which is so often stigmatised as conservatism —and we are all conservatives sometimes, only 1 would plead with everyone to examine carefully the basis of liis con-crvatisni, and then calmly <on--idir any new proposal that may be made, such as this of a national heall.li service. The foundation of our national education system is the idea of the great importance of education to our national progress and welfare; the same applies, only with more force, to the arguments in favor of free hospitals and also free medical services. This would entail a national system of instruction and direction (with power to act) in dealing with microbes; to put it shortly, if education is of very great importance, then I health—its preservations, and, if possible, restoration—is of still greater importance. What you have, said, sir. on

the economic side need not be added io now, except that so far as the rich man is concerned lie (an be reached by additional taxations on his wealth; and then if he dots not choose to avail himself of the free medical service, he can have :i | private doctor, dust as in the matter of schools; the public school has not prevented private schools from being carried on up to the regulation standard of ellieiency: neither would the free medical service prevent anyone from consulting a private doctor. Nothing seems more clear as a proof of what benefits might {olioiv such a national si stern of medical instruction and service that the good resulting from the work of the society formed in Dunedin under l)r. Trilby Kin;-, for the" health of babies and for the instruction of moihers and nurses I am astonished at the actions of t'i" Municipal Conference in rcpM'ting' proposal to nationalise hospitals, for I always looked on that conference as a progressive body. It seems, however, that the fear of expense is the hindrance. That is what comes in the way alwavs when progress is urged, whether in the 'matter of education, roads, railways, or anything else, except defence, and then the question of cost is scarcely raiped. and if it is raised, it is brushed aside with a patriotic, sweep, duly tipply the patriotism to the hospital expenditure. The welfare of the people is the Mipveme law. Thanking you. sir, for your leading article, and for your patience with mo. I am. etc. fi.H.M. 7/11/14.