LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3084, 15 May 1917, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A LONG-STANDING GRIEVANCE

Sir,—The dwellers in the Wellington suburbs who travel by rail are a very patient and long-onduring set, especially those using the Thorndon-Jobnson-vil'le section. For years their hopes have been buoyed up with the prospect of a new central station. This hope has proved a chimera, and the i.ow station, being now as far off as ever, it would be a proper thing for the au- | thorities, whoever they are, to put this "back-door of Wellington" into something like decent order. At r>l csent at the Thorndon Station, on wet days, travellers have to wade through swift-running streams flowing across the footway. There is no crown to the road, and" no side-channels to carry the water off, and so it quickly accumulates and forms lagoons all along the roadway. The crossings at Davis Si''Get are just a quagmire, and the same applies to the Lambton Station crossings. The impression visitors to the Empire City must receive from a first acquaintance with its environments can well be imagined. T venture to say there is no other station-approach in the Dominion in such a disgraceful condition. Now that the winter is upon us, and no new station in prospect for years to conio. surely it is not too mirh to ask for some improvement. Inr ight enlarge much upon this real grievance, but refrain from occupying too .nuch of voiir valuable space.—T am, etc.. LONG SUFFERED. • UNIVERSAL MATERNITYbONUS Sir.—As indicated hv the remarks lecently made hv the Hon. o_. AV. Ttussell, the importance of granting assmtane'e to the wives of soldiers in the matter of matornitv requirements is recognised by the State, and I would urge the Government to bring down a complete scheme of assistance not r.nly for soldiers' wives, but for all sections of the population. In the first pia<;e. let me suggest that as well as pursuing the line the Minister promises, i.e., pntleavoiiriiir: to obtain the necessurv power to extend the facilities to enable women dist.int frnnr+he cities to obtnin attention in the St. Helens Homes, give all the wives of so'diers the ontinn of a direct erant. as in the majority of eases it is preferable thit they iemain in their own homes. The hope cf the British Emoir* and the u-liite wees senernllv lies in fostering an increase in tho birth-rate, and the sooner we realise that the reason for the decline at present c?usin<r ni'ich concern , to those deeply interested in the welfpre of the Empire is lately economic the sooner will we move forward to a better condition of affairs. If an increase ef our numbers is of paramount importance, then it is time Parliament bestirred itself in this matter. P.pcentl.v the Wellington District of Oddfellows rejected a Government scheme as to becoming an approved society under the provisions of the Finance Act. 1.91 fi, entitling members lo a maternity bonus, hut unanimously adopted a resolution ill favoiir of a universal sen em t>. We nay a great denl of attention In requirements affecting the eonimcrp'i! affairs of the country, but have tcV [ gpte'd the highest phase of .national development to a secondary position. The nation as a whole is pnving a heavy price for this neglect.—T nro. , "to.. ■ .\. f!., HOLMS. Featherston, May 12, 1017.