Letters to the Editor

Press, 16 August 1976, Page 16

Letters to the Editor

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Dr Boulnois Sir, —Dr Boulnois’ pathetic comments (“Psychiatrist puts N.Z. on the couch,” “The Press,” August 14) reflect much more badly upon l.ii—than upon New Zealand. It is impossible to judge from your article whether the University of Otago misled him over housing as he claims. But taking his other comments-. if he knew what to expect in New Zealand, then he has only himself to bi a e for deciding to come. It he did not, then he clearly ought to have made it his business to find out before doing so. Either way, he indicts himself. It seems to me—cs. a British professor passing through—to be a clear case of psychiatrist, heal thyself! —Yours, etc., MAURICE BROADY, Professor of Social Administration, University College of Swansea, Swansea, Wales. August 14, 1976. Illegal immigrants Sir, —Lord Hewart said, “It is not merely of some importance but is of fundamental importance that justice should not only be done, but should manifestly and undoubtedly be seen to be done.” He was commenting on the probity of the courts. The identity of the participants and details of the case are not greatly important but they provided the judge an opportunity to point out, emphatically and in memorable phrases, that court procedures must always be seen to be just. The quotation is often misapplied. But an instance has arisen where Lord Hewart’s maxim is very pertinent. It is the decision of the Minister of Immigration to have the fate of those illegal immigrants registered under amnesty decided by unknown persons according to unknown criteria. This anonymous judge and jury is not, strictly, a court; but the parallel is close enough to ask, is justice being seen to be done?—Yours, etc., JOHN BALNEAVES. August 10, 1976. [“Permit overstayers who registered during the Government’s recent stay of proceedings are in no way ‘on trial.’ The application forms which they subsequently completed are being processed in a similar manner to that used for the many other applications for residence in New Zealand. The processing is being undertaken by some of the deparmental officers normally employed in this task. Each application is being considered individually, with due regard to all circumstances relevant to each applicant. Any who mav have cause to disagree with the decision in respect of their application may seek further consideration of it by the Minister. It is inappropriate. therefore, to compare the handling of these overstayer applications to the exercise of the judicial process in a court of law,”]

Dog dosing Sir, — So hydatid control officers are discovering they are allergic to Mansonil. If it affects full-grown men why then is it prescribed for little dogs? I own two miniature dachshunds, one weighing 81b and the other slightly heavier, and both these tiny dogs have to be dosed every six weeks by law. Both become sick. Recently they were given the hydatid dosing. One escaped with severe pains but the smaller almost died. He was writhing around the car in agony, screaming and foaming at the mouth. My veterinary surgeon administered an antidote and painkiller but the dog was extremely sick for three days. If a human being is affected there is an immediate outcry and the drug is changed, but does anyone care how it will affect a dog? The dogs were weighed and correctly dosed so it was the fault of the drug, and not the hydatid officer. — Yours, etc., BETTY LAURENSON. August 12, 1976. Demonstrators in 1 cathedral Sir, — Since reading “What Bishop Pyatt Says” in “The Press” I have been disturbed by the Bishop’s action in allowing a group of demonstrators to assemble in our lovely cathedral. Surely he has set a precedent which many of his flock indeed many citizens of Christchurch must regret. He cannot now, in all honesty, close the doors to any group who might want to wave their banners in the city. Was this what the cathedral was built for? — Yours, etc., R. McLEAN August 9, 1976. [Dean Underhill comments: “Mr McLean asks what was the Cathedral built for? The answer is it was built for worship. But his letter seems to ask for whom was the Cathedral built? It is often used for ecumenical occasions and by a wide variety of groups and organisations. We have had pacifist preachers and military church parades, the National Party at their annual conferences and perhaps the Labour Party at theirs next

year. We had services for the Christchurch , Football Club and the centenary of the Shirley Golf Club. We had a sermon by David Sheppard, the M.C.C. cricketer and a sermon by a man who believed that Christian principles were involved in the football tour. After careful consideration I decide which groups and organisations may hold special services, and the preacher has U e approved by me. Further the service must conform to the conditions laid down in the Book of Common Prayer, when “ . . . assembling together to give God thanks, to praise Him, they hear His Holy Word (Bible and s,ermon) and to ask for those things necessary for body and soul.” Provided people behave we are glad to see any one and everyone in the Cathedral, saints and sinners alike, and hope that they, and me, will be changed for the better. I would be happy to welcome Mr McLean.”] . Mental cases in f medical wards Sir, — I agree with Lesley Learmonth’s letter re the admittance of mental cases to the medical wards of the ordinary hospitals. Whoever decreed that such a thing should be done, simply doesn’t know his job, and should be in a medical ward at night time when those mental cases decide to perform, I have. I shall never forget it. I was there, and so I know. I am a trained nurse and sister also. I have had some psychiatric experience, and I blame the Government which decreed that such a state of affairs should occur. It is most unfair to the ordinary patient of a medical ward, and most unfair to the nurses also. I trust other people in New Zealand will take up this case and keep the mental cases in a psychiatric hospital, and, if possible, get psychiatric nurses from overseas. — Yours, etc., A. MEIKLE. August 12, 1976. State of Hawarden road Sir, — After driving down the Dalmaney Road near Hawarden I am appalled at its condition. It is no more

than a goat track with potholes up to 3ft across and 4in deep. I think it is about time that Mr McKenzie and seme of his councillors resigned, and then we may see that our rates which have been paid to the Waipa:u County Council from this district will be used on this widelyused road. I urge all ratepayers to wituhold payment of rates until we see some action. — Yours, etc., J. P. SIMSON. August 4, 1976. [Mr C. N. Mackenzie, chairman of the Waipara County Council, replies: “As the name of the correspondent ‘J. P. Simson’ cannot be found in the county records as either a ratepayer or a resident, (contrary to the inference in the letter), it is therefore assumed to be a nom-de-plume. In keeping with council policy such ‘anonymous’ letters will not be answered.”]

Oil divining Sir, —One cannot resist asking whether Varian J. Wilson has ever proved that dowsing or E.S.P. phenomena are impossible. If he has not proved them to be impossible, he himself is believing soi..ething not proven, and must, according to his own reasoning, be gullible also. —Yours, etc., R. E. HANN, August 13, 1976.