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couples are compelled to share a home, which does not make for
social happiness and social health. High rents and high travelling
costs, where the place of employment is not local, are other barriers
to the development of Public Health. We can at least aim at Utopia.
We continue to suffer the handicap that there is no truly local
government in Health Services. As I reported in last year's Annual
Report: "The day must come when local incentive and local interest
will require truly local government. With development of new estates,
shops, houses and transport, the boundaries of Local Authorities are
no longer defined, and amalgamation of authorities is a natural
sequence—large enough to be financially sound and small enough so
that the administrator, the elected representative, and the electorate,
are members of a team and can exercise their functions without
reference to forms and form filling."
I thank the Committee for their continued support and their
encouragement. I would also like to place on record the help I have
received from Mr. Woods throughout his twenty-five years as Chief
Sanitary Inspector. The staff have worked with enthusiasm and I am
indebted to them for lightening my burden, and to Mr. Judd, the Chief
Clerk, who has done so much in the compilation of this report.
I am,
Your obedient Servant,
K. E. TAPPER,
Medical Officer of Health.
June, 1952.