The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, JULY 28, 1923. A SATISFACTORY SUGGESTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume LIX, Issue 9575, 28 July 1923, Page 4

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED DAILY. SATURDAY, JULY 28, 1923. A SATISFACTORY SUGGESTION.

The suggestion is put forward- by the chairman ol‘ the Hospital Board that the unspent moneys subscribed during the war for a Soldiers’ Me- ! moriui Ward at Cook Hospital should lie utilised in order to provide an up-to-date Old People’s Home is Gisborne. When the lists were circulated in connection with this particular fund, there was, it may be ■recalled, a- ready response to the appeal. It was felt that there might lie considerable need to provide additional accommodation at the public hospital for soldiers who returned disabled or - incapacitated to tin’s district. What was anticipated was that quite a large number might, unhappily, prove to be afflicted with some form of disease, as, for instance, tubercular trouble, which would be bound to involve a lengthy pcr.od, of treatment. At that time, it was not possible £o foresee that the Government would adopt so extensively the policy of providing treatment for seriously afflicted soldiers at special institutions. The fact remains that the original scheme lias had to he abandoned. Whether the money should he used as Air Sherratt now suggests is to he decided at a meeting of subscribers to the fund. It can at once be said that his proposal is worthy of support. There may, of course, he some opposition—but, we should say, not a great deal. What- may he contended'’ is that the cost of a new Old People’s Horne should he borne hv the people as a whole and that the moneys in question should he" devoted to sonic cause which would benefit local soldiers who have not yet completely r; covered their strength. In this regard, we would, however, point out that there is available for that particular purpose the very substantial balance of the Patriotic Funds. The proposed site for the new Old People’s Home—on the Hospital Farm—is certainly an admirable one. It will be possible when it is built- to provide inmates who are able to get about with various light, interesting duties, such as attending to. poultry and other live stock and assisting m gardens that will he developed m connection with the institution, there are several Old People’s Homes in this Dominion situate on extensive areas in the vicinity of important towns, and they are not only more than self-supporting hut provide a happy’ home for those who in the evening oi life happen to be poor insofar as this world s goods are concerned. AYe do mist, however, that the projected institution will not be known as “The Old People’s Home.” Let it be given a distinctive title which will not associate it with what are known as charitable institutions, in Invercargill, for instance, the old people's institution is designated "Lome Farm," and a similar line ol policy has been adopted in other centres. It should be possible—and it

would bo only right, too —if a section of tin l new local institution wore specially fitted out for aged and. needy soldiers and sailors, no matter where tliev may have semi active service. Such a 'decision should please both iho subscribers to the fund and the local soldiers who fought for their Empire in the Great AA nr. It would, too. form a further fitting meme-ial to all who made the supreme sacrifice As is well-known, old soldiers and sailors like to get together—tnoj have so much m common—and it .seems a great pity that, in order to secure a suitable haven or rest, some local soldiers who served in the Alaori and other wars have, in their old age, had to remove to Auckland and other centres where special provision is made for their accommodation. AA’e need only add that we -incerely hope that Air Sherratt s suggestion will bo approved.