THE REST ROOM

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 120, 25 May 1925, Page 6

THE REST ROOM

"AGITATION HAS PRACTICALLY

COLLAPSED"

WHAT MR, ERASER THINKS.

Mr. P. Fraser, M.P., states:—"lt is satisfactory to note from Mr. Donovan's statement 'in Saturday's 'Post' that those who were opposing the erection of the ladies' rest room in Courtenay place have thrown up the spongse. They no longer want it removed up some side street, but just a few yards further, back from its present proposed site. The agitation has practically collapsed, as it deserved to do.

'Unfortunately Mr. Donovan still indulges unthinkingly in talk about a less conspicuous situation, and about the affront to modesty contained in just ono room for mothers resting and attending to their babies, but there is obviously not much heart in this effort. Whiln the rest room may not be quite as good as some of the suites of rooms in the adjoining hotel, it will, certainly be belter than what would have resulted if the opposition had succeeded, namely, none at all.

"If Mr. Donovan can suggest how the rest room can be improved and extended to fulfil its purpose better than the present plans propose, I will be pleased to give him any reasonable support. In the meantime, 1 still consider the room provided in the existing plan can be made most comfortable, and trust the intention of the City Council, which first agreed to a ladies' rest room in 1919, in regard to furnishing will be carried out. Most certainly, it should be made as comfortable and beautiful as possible. If it should transpire that the proposed rest room is not large enough then the obvious thing is for the City Council to meet further requirements, not to kill the present scheme.

"Up to last Saturday, when Mr. Donovau's statement appeared in your columns, there was not a scrap of evidence of an overwhelming ■ desire on the part of the opposition to improve or enlarge the rest-room. ' I welcome this belated conversion, however, because an afterthought is better sometimes than no thought at all. It was just plain opposition on grounds that were as untenable as they were absurd, and which were laughed at by all sensible citizens

In regard to the various objections raised about the administration' of the rest-room, when erected, I understand that these matters have not yet been settled by the City Council. I 'certainly hope that the service of hot water will be free, and that the room will be run as efficiently as possible. Mr. Donovan will be doing a service if he makes representations to tho City Council on this subject. " None of the points raised hy Mr. Donovan, not even the changing of the site to the portion of land at present leased by the fioyal Oak Hotel, which it is proposed to resume, a proposal rejnrding which I have an open mind, are vital. The main point is that after six .years' patient waiting for the City.Conncil to carry out its decision it would be nothing short of disgraceful if the project was still further postponed or dropped altogether on grounds which are not entitled to respect. " In regard to open spaces, children's playgrounds, and the application of town-planning to our city,- I hold very pronounced opinions, and have many proposals to suggest, but must confes"s that, the aesthetic qualities of bare asphalt does, not make much appeal to me.

Some of the horses used by the Mounted Police m London are vrortii ac -much v £500 apiec*.