H.-31

262

have them unless we had healthy boys and girls to-day to make the strong men and women of to-morrow. It would, therefore, be real economy to the Hospital Boards if this scheme were put into effect, as in a few years' time the first cost would be more than repaid. There would be fewer cases in the hospitals, less disease, less out-patient treatment, if they* built up the children and prevented disease, rather than attempt to cure it when the damage was already done. As Superintendent of a fairly large hospital, he saw a great many cases of preventable disease. He saw disease:, for example, brought on by dental caries—ulcerated stomach, ulcerated glands, and ill health generally—all brought about by bad hygiene of the mouth. That was only one thing. Then- \wrc deformities in children, such as curvature of the spine, and so on, which in the earlystages could be easily remedied, but while later on in life became so had that they could not be corrected. He hoped tin- Inspector-General included in his scheme "physical culture" and the employment of experts in that subject to teach the children, lb' hoped also dental experts would be included. In this connection they were very shortly going to build a dental department, and a great many of these children would no doubt go into that department, anil he thought it would be of great use to the- hospital and to the community. It was important both to the Education Boards and the Hospital Boards who were going to pay the expense- that a g 1 ileal of this work should be done by the outside medical practitioner. He understood the Inspector-General was going to make arrangements with those gentlemen to see the patients at a fixed price. As time went on the more they saw the less they would eventually have to pay, and it seemed to him the arrangement would be a very suitable- one. He could only say further that he congratulated the Inspector-General upon having brought down such a scheme. It was, in his opinion, the most important proposal that had been laid before the Conference. Motion agreed to unanimously. Casualty Wards near Wharves. Mr. McLaren, M.P. (Wellington), desired ni ask the leave of the Conference to submit a motion dealing with a matter which appeared to him to be one of importance. He wished to move, " That this Conference advises the several Boards concerned to take into consideration the advisability- of establishing casualty wauls at or near the wharves at the chief ports of the Dominion, for the purpose of dealing promptly- with the numerous accidents that occur in the shipping and allied industries." This question seriously affected about four thousand men employed in these industries. The Inspector-Genkuai, said he did not see the use of doing what was suggested unless there was ;i medical officer constantly on the spot. Leave refused. Votes of Thanks. Mr. WALKER (Otago), in moving a hearty vote of thanks lo the Chairman, said he was sure he was voicing the feelings of the Conference in saying that the Chairman had presided over their meetings with judgment and good temper; in fact they had every reason to lie proud of the way in which business had been conducted. Mr. Mackay (Auckland) indorsed the sentiments expressed by Mr. Walker with respect to the excellent manner in which the proceedings had been conducted by tin- Chairman, lb- thought they should at the same time express their thanks to the Inspector-General, Courtesy and kindness were characteristics of Dr. Valintine. Mr. Horrell (Canterbury- North) indorsed the remarks of Mr. Walker and Mr. Mackay. Mrs. Wilson (Canterbury North) saiel the results of the Conference in some respects had been a little disappointing —more particularly- in respect to their treatment of the question of consumption, in which the Canterbury North Board was particularly interested; but it bad been a great pleasure to her to meet earnest-minded men and women in touch with subjects of vital importance to the country. She was very glad to note that there- seemed to be growing up some- recognition of the claims of the future. They we-re beginning to understand what it meant to attend to the children, to arrest disease in the early stages, ami to deal with moral delinquencies in the early stages. That was an augury for the country's future-good. Rev. W. A. Evans (Wellington) would like, on behalf of Wellington, to add their meed of praise for the courtesy and dignity- with which the Chairman had carried on the onerous duties in presiding tit the Conference. The Inspector-General had also been a great help to them in the work done at the Conference. The resolution was carried by acclamation. The Chairman, in briefly returning thanks, said he- thought they ought to very cordially thank the medical officers who had given the Conference such valuable assistance. They were also much indebted to the officers of the Hospitals and Health Departments—Dr. Valintine, Dr. Frengley, Dr. Finch, Miss Maclean, and Mi-. Killick; also to Mr. Hogben, Inspector-General of Schools. The INSPECTOR-GENERAL, in returning thanks on behalf of himself and the officers of the Department, said they very much appreciated the work that was being so very ably done by the members of the various Hospital and Charitable Aid Boards, in many case-s to the absolute sacrifice of their own interests. No one who was connected in any way with public work in the Dominion could fail to recognize the great public-spiritedness which prevailed throughout the length and breadth of the country. They had a great work in hand, and they hail gone further forward at that Conference than they had hitherto advanced ; but they si ill bad to go ahead. They were all xvorking on the same lines, and had before them the same ideals. The Conference of 1911 was likely to have a most important bearing on the future of the Dominion.