RE SOLDIERS’ MEMORIAL AT HASTINGS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume X, Issue 47, 7 February 1920, Page 3

RE SOLDIERS’ MEMORIAL AT HASTINGS.

Ito th® bDItoR-1

! Sir, —I think that most people | will ag.ee that His WcMhip . the Mayor degrades the high position I he holds as Chief Magistrate of the [ borough of Hastings, in regard to | the manner of his written controver- ! sies. He has directed a tirade ot I abuse against me because forsootu ‘ I have .dared to disagree with the | great man in connection with the above matter. The dignified reouke he recently received from Mr. John ( ollinge seems to have had only a passing effect. He must have a poor ca<v when it will not stand sane discussion. He says it is a pity I did not make myself acquainted with the facts but he has no attempted | to ]>oint out one incorrect statement ! made by me. As to his being su solicitous for the poor as against the rich I fear this is only an attempt to cloud the issue as the point does not arise anywhere in my letter. Dr. says it is clear that there is n... hospital accommodation nor room in maternity homes for every member of the community who has need of them. My contention wa«, and is, that such accommodation ought to, and can be supplied. If private accommodation can be supplied for these cases then why not public? His Worship is perfectly well aware that if there were twenty empty beds in a public hospital those having beyond the prescribed income would not be admitted and that the whole, difficulty arises by reason that the medical men are not placed on a proper footing with the hospital authorities. His Worship agrees that my principles may be right and then proceeds to state that I should be ashamed of the principle that may be right. He then praises himself for his desire to help his brother which praise he might get someone else to bestow. Certainly his letter displays an unfortunate way of expressing himself. He further desires to make the public believe that I wish to deprive poor people from using hospital institutions, but my letter is perfectly clear on this point and His Worship’s attempts at misrepresentation throughout his letter are no credit to him. In my opinion (and I am entitled to an opinion as well as His Worship) it is a mean thing to attempt to. get the long coveteu hospital buildings erected here by means of patriotic feeling in regard to our fallen soldiers. It would have done His Worship far more credit and would have been more creditable to the citizens of Hastings if in the spending of such a large sum of money’ as proposed the object had been lor tne benefit of disabled soldiers. Might I humbly suggest to the great man that the contributions to a sentimental memorial should 3e kept separate from those for hospital buildings, so that those contributors who are in favour of the former can be assured of a respectao.. memorial in a prominent place. With regard to His Worship’! very cheap and unworthy sneer that I belong to a class of ths community who wijl contribute nothing and to the communique he has issued as 'to what people ought to contribute, it is to be hoped that, so far as he himself is concerned it will not be a case of “verba non facta.”

In conclusion I hope that my name is as respected in Hastings a. that of His Worship and I still trust that he may yet learn to pen his letters with dignity and to allow other persons io differ from him nvithout hurling abuse at tr.cin. I am, etc., CITIZEN.

f TO Tire EDITOR.! “Citizen’s’’ letter and Mr. George Ebbett’s reply have opened up a question that needs some explanation. There is in Napier a maternity home of some 25 beds. It is proposed to provide 15 or 20 in Hastings. Do the public, realise—4o maternity beds in this little'district, two separate institutions with twe separate staffs. Why not a good subsidized ambulance to carry on for the present. Then again the emergency part of the hospital is ostensibly for such cases as are toe ill to be taken into Napier. The other cases of suchness W’ijl . as at present go into Napier hospital. At present the very few cases, tnat are too ill to be sent into Napier go into private, hospitals at the hospital Boards’s expense. A minimum expense when compared with the upkeep of an institution. In order to get these buildings erected at once, it is proposed to ask the Hastings people to pay - bill which should be -and wijl be in time, met by the whole of the hospital district. These advocating urgency. The fallen soldiers provide a good means of securing the money. Why not benefit the fallen soldiers relatives and not make Use of him. Let the Hastings memorial be some worthy monument in an open.space where on official occasions the Hastings part of the Hawke’s Bay regiment will parade. . This monument will be an inspiration to the you tn for alj time. Let any further moneys contributed be used for the

education of the Hastings children of fallen soldiers. Let no. such moneys be used for brick buildings which when wanted, others should pay for. For these objects many wifi be willing to give. Many think a great occasion has arisen to cast aside temporary expediency and do something elevating, Mr. Mayor. Maternity wards, hospital buildings —let them all come in good time but the dependants of those who have fallen or suffered should De cared for first. —1 am. etc.. VOX POPL’LI. Hastings 6.. -2. •JC.