THE H.B. TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1935 AT LAST!

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 163, 26 June 1935, Page 4

THE H.B. TRIBUNE WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26, 1935 AT LAST!

In the calendar of Hastings and of its immediately surrounding districts the 25th of June will surely be marked off as a redletter day, for on it in this year of grace they have seen fulfilled hopes that have been long delayed in realisation. Yesterday’s opening ceremony at the Soldi ere’ Memorial Hospital marks definitely the end of a long and arduous fight—for it has been nothing less —for the recognition of the obvious right of the people of this area to have an adequate public hospital established in their midst. As the Minister of Health, the Hon. Sir Alexander Young, himself pointed out the proposal was mooted as long as quarter of a century back, but it may be said that it took really definite shape some fourteen or fifteen years ago. Since then it has never been allowed to fall entirely out of sight, though there have necessarily been times when it fell into the background. There have, however, happily for the people concerned, always been those who were prepared to revive the agitation whenever an opportune time presented itself. The result of this persistence was in evidence yesterday to all those who cared to look.

All this, however, could never have been achieved had it not been for the way in which the people of the district themselves came forward with voluntary subscriptions towards the cost and. more notable still, the munificent gifts and bequests made by several sympathisers in the project. As the Minister was quick to acknowledge, this hospital is probably unique in the Dominon in respect of the small proportion of its cost that has been provided by the Government. This aspect of the case he was doubtless glad to emphasise both by way of hearty appreciation of the generosity of the givers and by way of example to be pointed for future importunates to follow. The people who are to be served by this hospital have thus been doubly fortunate. Firstly they have had intensely earnest and active advocates of their cause who, ever refusing to acknowledge defeat, have grappled with both opposition and apathy on the part of those in control. Then, they have also had the benefit of private donations of such amounts as rarely fall to the lot of a relatively young and small community. These are things that in our day of rejoicing over eventual success are not to be forgotten.

Some stress must also be laid upon a feature that somewhat unaccountably received but scant notice from any of the speakers at yesterday’s function. None made any very definite reference to the fact that this institution, devoted to the relief of human suffering and to the saving of human life, has been very appropriately dedicated to the memory of those vho suffered and gave

up life itself for us in the greatest war in history. It would surely have been well had this been recalled to us all. Especially is this the case when it may be taken that some at least of the donations were prompted by a desire to make the memorial worthy of those to whom it has been, erected. However, we may well, believe that in the hearts of both speakers and audience there was no real forgetfulness of those who made the supreme sacrifice for us, and with whom the Soldiers’ MemorialTlospital at Hastings will for all time be associated. On the other hand, it was right that attention should be markedly drawn to the need for paying every possible respect to the real wishes and intentions of testators making bequests for philanthropic purposes. Only if this is done may we hope for others to follow their example. The Minister in attendance did not altogether escape some gentle rebuke for his earlier apparent lack of interest in the undertaking, though some excuse was at the same time found for him in the many calls upon his attention that are made from so many widely separated quarters. Beyond this, of course, we have to recognise the influence brought to bear by permanent departmental heads to whom some ministerial hearing can scarcely but be accorded, particularly when we bear in mind how often changes are made in the holders of the various portfolios. In any event, it will be graceful now to acknowledge that, once his well merited personal sympathy was fully aroused, there was little of reproach to be laid at the door of the present Minister of Health, and all is well that ends well. He has, too, promised to give his own personal attention to the minor adjuncts that are still required for the perfecting of the hospital, and he has himself indicated that the members for the districts affected are not likely to let him forget his promise.