POUNDS OF FLUSH.

Evening Star, Issue 16908, 4 December 1918, Page 3

POUNDS OF FLUSH.

, TO THE EDITOE. Sir, —Wo have witnessed tho sudden onset and deadly passage of the scourge called influenza. We have learned many lessons, paid for by precious lives. But will wo remember? Wo bad learned long ago that departmental machinery—whether State or municipal—was unwieldy, <um bersome, and often unworkable. A\e have just had that knowledge shockingly ncccn tuated. The diary published m to-night s ‘Star’ recounting the heartrending experiences of the residents of the Tahakopa Valley and neighborhood burns like a searing iron. Dear God, that such rices, such diro need, and such ofliciil sang froid should exist in this youn? land! Six pounds (in advance, please) before a relief train will make steam! I contend that in this latest wretched manifestation of State departmental ineptitude the cross-roads have been reached. It is quite impossible for earnest people to further dilly-dally with the powers that be. There wall doubtless bo the inevitable “explanation,” and likely enough the retort discourteous along similar Hum to the llnsseli-Gunson telegrams. The people of Cat! ins should rise in united protest, place their just grievance in letters of fire before the. public (not the Parliament! of this country, and so make certain of the materialising of the already near approach of a great wave of revolt against word-spinners ami '* camouflagers.’ All honor to the heroic helpers in these hours of anxiety ami death! All honor to our medical men —specialists, physicians, surgeons, and students —who have worked till breaking-point in the hard and slit: fight ; to our own women-folk, who have not failed us, as some would have us believe ; to our clergymen and allied workers ; and to a nameless host of other helpers who stepped with alacrity, hut with certainty, into the breach. All in marked contrast, sir, to the £6 (in advance, please) of a State Department. —I am. etc., December 5. A Leauxek.