21 SEPTEMBER 1934, Page 6

Sir George Newman's annual report on the health of the

nation is, I suppose, the most important social document issued by the Stationery Office—apart, of course, from special publications like the reports of Royal Commissions. The space given to the latest report in Wednesday's daily papers . is evidence enough of the value the Press puts on it. Unfortunately the new report is not only the latest but very nearly the last, for its author, vigorous as he still is, retires next year at 65. But he ought just to manage one more report, before he performs the feat of walking out of his two officesthe Ministry. of Health and the Board of Education—for the last time simultaneously. , * * s *