LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Press, Volume XC, Issue 27500, 6 November 1954, Page 3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

L Letters sent to the Editor for printing must be written in ink on one side of we paper only, and writers must send In their names and addresses in full, whether they wish these to be printed or not. 2. Writers must say clearly whether or not their letters are being or have been sent to other papers. 3. The Editor cannot return or keep any letter which ter any reason is unsuitable for printing, nor can he acknowledge unsuitable letters, although this will be done where it seems to be needful, or enter into any correspondence. 4. Letters must not be of more than 150 words in length. R.S.—See conditions above. Art.—Correspondence doled. F. A. Hume.—Too long. See above. A Worker (Sprlngston).—Cannot accept letters over different noms de plume on one subject. MORAL DELINQUENCY REPORT Sir,—lt is obvious that your contributor’s article in criticism of the moral delinquency report represents a psychological approach to the problem. I think that psychology has something to say, but I also think that in moral matters it is suspect. I should like to see another article in commendation of the report, which, after all, la not based on sectional opinion, but rather on the moral standard and belief of the community. The article is largely theoretical and academic, and seems to overlook the urgency with which the committee was confronted and the need for some practical action.—Yours, etc, NOT IMPRESSED. November 2, 1954.

Sir, —Congratulations to Mr Holmes and others who work for applied hygiene ip the Christchurch Public Hospital, especially in the care of young children. However, nothing will be done effectively to remedy a malodorous situation, because the doctors are so conservative. Anyone who introduces a new concept involving a reorientation of medical thought is ridiculed by the old school until the latter is eventually forced to accept the new knowledge. Only a modern psychiatric department in the hospital could effectively deal with the multitude of psychiatric problems that arise in any general hospital, including the one now being discussed. It will probably be 10 years before the old boys learn the new lessons.—Yours, etc., „ . _ NINETEEN TEN. Nov. 3, 1954.