Our Hospital Rate grows at disturbing rate-..

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 February 1939, Page 9

Our Hospital Rate grows at disturbing rate-..

Says the Mayor of Masterton (Mr Thos. Jordan).

J HOPE that, as a result of the Physical Fitness Week commencing on Saturday next, the purpose of the National Council will be fulfilled and the minds of the public directed to their physical well-being. We New Zealanders have been born in a land that is blessed with many advantages of race, soil and climate but in spite of this our hospital content, both mental and physical, grows at a disturbing rate. Up till now no national attempt has been made to direct attention to this. From time to time a protest has gone up against the constantly increasing hospital expenditure but little or nothing has been done to reach the basic cause of the expenditure and eradicate it. The demonstration of the coming week should serve as a valuable introduction to a new chapter in the health and wellbeing of the community, and herald the advent of the substantial benefits, that will follow upon the full operation of the Physical Welfare and Recreation Act. Recent industrial, legislation has provided us with a longer period of leisure than heretofore, which many of us have not yet been educated adequately to enjoy. Unless this is remedied the greater leisure will inevitably lead to a greater lack of fibre. We live in an age of nervous tension and I am one of those who strongly believe that an improvement in our physical condition will have remarkable mental reactions and lead to a more happy, balanced efficiency among us, for after all no mind can be healthy to which a sick body,ministers. —THOS. JORDAN, Mayor.