Conjunctivitis—And
p. 94 · Read in the full issue
Towels
Hastening Too Fast In NG
Letter to the Editor WHO was responsible for the d< cision to issue towels to natr labour? Surely this is a mo unwise decision.
Since the new Ordinance becan law in January. 1951, I have h£ ample time to observe the effect.
On Numundo, we have nativ from the areas of Talasea, Nakanj Angora m, Maprik, Aitape and Wa —a fairly good cross-section. N 10 per cent, of these natives favoi towels in lieu of the former issi of a lap-lap every two months.
In practically every case tl towel is used mainly as a lap-la Its secondary use is to wash wii and dry with.
Since re-opening this property 1949, up until January, 1951, I d not have one case of conjunctive Since the issue of towels cor menced, I have had eleven cas< one of them so bad he had to sent to the Government Hospit for special treatment. The othe fortunately have all responded treatment in the plantation hosp tal.
It is, I think, a well-known fa that towels, especially in the tropt should be used only once and th thoroughly boiled. For the me part towels issued to nati labourers are never boiled and a generally in a filthy condition. R
suit—conjunctivitis, practically
epidemic proportions.
This is a result of issuing tow( to natives who have had years contact with Europeans, and yea of the excellent conditions that pr vail on the majority of plantatioi So what happens when towels a issued to Central Highland nativ who are even more unhygienic thi their coastal brothers?
It is, I think, one more case the Administration advancing t
quickly. The vast majority
natives in New Guinea have not a vanced sufficiently in persor hygiene to be given a towel. Nobo begrudges such an issue, just as i issue but I am most unwilling place in the hands of valual labourers the means of bnngi sickness upon themselves.
I am, etc.,
Paul Phillips-Veirke
Talasea, NB.
As from January 1 last, O.T handed over the control of t Wewak (NG) radio telegraph stati to the Papua-New Guinea Admin: tration. The transfer was made accordance with the policy avoiding duplication of Commo wealth communications facilities.