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- 4 -
The more favourable turn of the war since Last year
makes it reasonable for one to hope that schemes of
reconstruction will soon be well on the way. I make no
apology for reiterating the opinion expressed in my last
report that this period and this task call for a much bigger
scope and vision than have hitherto been applied to social
welfare. It is not merely a matter of picking up the
threads of our pre-war plans of development, but rather one
of looking at public health and kindred subjects from the
new point of view of planning so as to realise the full
potential of a democratic community. Before the war, we
were struggling with, the legal and financial difficulties
which handicapped these improvements of housing and the.
maternity and child welfare and tuberculosis services
which we knew to be necessary. Now it is to be hoped that
these barriers, if not removed, will be easier to surmount
with a broader outlook in public life and our former plans
for improvement" must be merged in far more comprehensive
and far-reaching plans of "reconstruction."
I take pleasure in expressing my appreciation to the
Council for support and sympathetic consideration of
difficulties and grateful thanks to the staff for loyal
co-operation in trying circumstances.
Medical Officer of Health.