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its value. Nevertheless, it must be conceded that much extra work
and anxiety has been placed upon Medical Officers of Health
of scheme-making authorities at a time when their staffs were
already fully occupied. Also, the work under Civil Defence is
quite foreign to Public Health work and, as it applies to the
country as a whole, it does not seem unreasonable to enquire if
Civil Defence should not be treated as a military matter and
undertaken by the military authorities, though, doubtless, this
would be a more costly arrangement. At the close of the year it
became more and more apparent, as the number of circulars and
instructions from the Central Government Departments rapidly
increased, that A.R.P. was being regarded as the primary duty
and activity of Local Authorities, and that it was a permanent
addition to their growing burden of responsibilities. The consequent
and inevitable slackening of preventive and social efforts
must be a source of anxiety to all those who watch the accumulative
beneficial effects of Public Health.
In conclusion, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is my pleasing
duty to acknowledge the help I have always received from you,
and from the members of the Housing Committee, the Education
Committee, the Mental Deficiency Committee, and also from the
Air Raid Precautions Committee. To my staff for the hard work
they have put in during the year and for the loyal and willing
manner in which they have at all times met the extra duties they
have been called upon to perform, I desire to express my gratitude
and thanks.
I am,
Yours faithfully,
OSCAR M. HOLDEN.