LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24364, 16 September 1944, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

JF.-A strike on the railways occurred on April 21, 1924. This involved the A.S.R.S. HOSPITAL EXPANSION Sir—Having entered my fiftieth year of practice I hesitate to comment _on the new hospital design. In my day the outpatient, artd casualty departments were always placed as near to the inain thoroughfare as possible; in the proposed hospital every outpatient has to go quite a long way to get to ms destination after leaving his tram. It would appear that the designer has put the convenience of the staff before that of the patients. With the proposed hospital—how long and by what methods can the new wards be evacuated: when in the event of earthquake or other disaster, (a) when the power is still available, and (b) when it isn t. As regards earthquake, the new design would appear to give the maximum of stability.—Yours, etc., I j.D.D. September 13. 1944.WAR RATIONING Sir —lf the population of England are so healthy despite war rationing, why can’t we follow their example and have a universal loaf of bread, our dental nurses and school doctors come round regularly and tell us should not give our children white I believe it is true, but how difficult it is to carry out when we all dine together and some adults insist on white bread, which means two kinds on the table. It is simple in theory to say children must not take the white. What is the use of reasoning agawst adult example? I do feel it would be a great help to mothers trying to dp their best for their families if this difficult situation could be avoided.— Yours, etc., HOPING. September 14, 1944. PROPOSED CAMP AT BURNHAM Sir,—l did not see or hear Miss Howard’s suggestion about the use of Burnham Camp for an old people s settlement, and I do not know if it is practicable, but, unlike “Senex, I the idea and I hope if is well established by the time I am old enough to qualify. In the future. 18 miles will be just a stone’s throw, and with attractive grounds, the swimming pool (if still in existence), and any other amusements, it would prove quite an attractive week-end run. The old people are likely to see more of their friends and grandchildren than they would tucked away in obscure rooms in town waiting for a duty visit. Even if they had no visitors themselves, they would enjoy watching the crowd. A picture show could entertain several nights weekly, and I dare say concert parties would go down. —Yours, etc., LOOK AHEAD. September 14. 1944, VICTORY LOAN Sir,—While realising that the War Loan Council must do all in its power to boost the Victory Loan and wake up some of our lethargic citizens to the very urgent appeal and the necessity for it. might I ask is it necessary to play on the personal emotions to such an extent as is done in the advertisement in “The Press’’ this morning. To all of those whose kith and kin made the supreme sacrifice or who have sons, fathers, sisters or brothers in action in any of the three forces, such an advertisement can do nothing but increase sorrow or anxiety. I am referring to the drawing of a white cross, at the foot of which lies a “tin hat” with an obvious fatal hole in if, which to my mind is abhorrent. —Yours, etc., , VICTORY. September 13, 1944. [“lt is most regrettable that we have to use this form of advertising to prick the consciences of those who have no sense of responsibility towards their country,” said an official of the Victory War Loan. Committee when this letter, was referred to him.] ANIMALS AND BIRDS IN CAPTIVITY Sir, —The S.P.C.A. wisely objects to caging of an elephant in an uncongenial climate. Why must other bodies suggest the caging, of native birds? The war is for liberty. Why not grant it to God’s tiniest creatures, whose every feather is counted into lovely pattern, and whose fall is noted by Him?— Yours, etc,, FREEDOM. September 13, 1944. WAR CRIMINALS Sir,—There is at present much talk of bringing the war criminals to trial. May I ask if among them will be included the framers of the Versailles Treaty and the British and American power-financiers who deliberately maintained the economic depression which gave Hitler the excuse to climb to power? Strictly speaking, we should go further back still to the politicians who condoned Britain’s policy in South Africa - and in particular the Jameson Raid! But how childish it is to imagine that any good will be done by wreaking vengeance on the socalled war criminals of any country. An honest and intelligent examination of the causes of war is the only hope of the world to-day. But of course that won’t be undertaken except by a few obscure people in search of truth; it would reveal too many war criminals on the Allied side!— Yours, etc., M, G. TOWNEND. September 13, 1944. W.A.A.C. UNIFORMS Sir, —I should like to ask why the women leaving the military services have to hand in all uniforms, coats, etc., and what use will be made of them? Or are there to be more dumps, with precious petrol and oil poured over them to make them burn well? Also, why has the price of overcoats, which up to recently was £2 10s. now been raised to £4 10s, if members of the services wish to buy them when leaving? There is no mufti allowance. Does the Ordnance Department wish to store them, as has been done with stores from the Great War, and even from the South African war of more than 40 years ago?— Yours, etc., A MOTHER. September 14. 1944. [Southern Military District Headquarters stated yesterday that W.A.A.C.’s who were discharged were entitled to retain gloves, shirts, shoes, stockings, and ties. W.A.A.C. officers, like Army officers, retained all their equipment, as they were not discharged. but were transferred to the Reserve of Officers, and were liable to be called up at any time. The mufti allowance for W.A.A.C.’s was the same as that for men.]