Page 5 Advertisements Column 3

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1919, Page 5

The concentration of industry and more amenities in a few big cities was a factor operating against primary production, stated Mr. Hearst Seager at the Town Planning Conference The plaeing of garden cities in the country districts would stimulate the primary industries. It had been suggested by one speaker that if the farmers were given land and finance they would not need "civic amenities." This ran counter to experience. The- attractions of the cities were continually drawing people from the land, and the remedy was to take the civic amenities to the country. The Hon. G. W. Russell said that the prime consideration in planning the improvement of housing should be the health of the people. No less than 154 per r-en-t. of the men examined for military service in New Zealand had been found to be medically unfit. This wa* a fact that could not be regarded without deep concern. Poor housing, improper feeding, and laok of medical and dental attention were factors in producing this state of affairs. With improved housing, open spaces, and more fresh air New Zealand could raise the standard of health very quickly. Mr, Russall suggested that small open spaces and playgrounds should be districted freely over the cities. The cost of living could be reduced materially by developing jsmall holdings and . encouraging people to-adosA-intansive cultivation.