PUBLIC OPINION.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2125, 17 May 1922, Page 7

PUBLIC OPINION.

MARIE CORELLI. Sir, —Agreed that a society of females should be organised to remould inferior man, and turn him into a super-superior individual, in line with the ideas of this fascinating dreamer, would it not also be well, on her part, at the sam> time to form a society to regulate her own sex, and put a stop to their parading amongst the men in a semi-nude state; also, to check the inordinate use of powder and paint, now extant, so as to make themselves a more attractive bait to catch the men? Likewise, place a heavy tax on female cigarette smokers and tipplers. Evidently poor Marie's idea of mankind is somewhat like the burglar's in regard to the policemen—that they are a bad lot, and should be done away with altogether. No doubt the aforesaid men are a necessary evil. However, if a society is formed, it should be composed of a combination of both sexes, and there should certainly be an age limit to the membership.—l am, etc., A MERE SIMIAN. HAAVKE'S BAY "LEADER."' (To the Editor.) Sir, —In your issue, of Monday, under the heading- of political notes, you had a particularly flattering paragraph concerning Mr E, A. Ransom, the Liberal-Labour candidate for the Pahiatua seat at the next election. You made some reference to him being regarded as one of the best lenders of men in Hawke's Bay. He may be, but the present member for the district, Mr Archibald McNicol, according to the Minister of Public Works, is "the white haired boy" of th c people of the backblocks. Anyhow, we know where he is. He is

an out-and-out Masseyite. With youi just-discovered "leader of men" there is an impression that he is a political fencer. Before the recent visit of the redoubtable Tom, he was a self.declared independent; couldn't swallow Masscy's doctrines, and as for Mr Wilford's new party—no, he couldn't swallow it. But a short half-hour's interview converted him. So nvich for your "leader" of men. Anyhow, he may be a leader of men, but McNicol will be the leader of the electors.—l am, etc., RAIL-SITTER. Dannevirke. [Our correspondent surely does not suggest that the supporters of Mr McNicol are not men.—Ed. M.D.T.] POHANGINA PIG-SHOOTING. Sir, —Being the owner of the animal which met with slight injuries at the hands of a party of Palmerston North sportsmen who recently visited Pohangina Valley, I have read with considerable interest the letters of those "true sports" and "pig hunters" who, from behind the veil of anonymity, have attacked men whose public positions prevent them from making a reply through the Press. For the information of your readers, as well as for the "true sports" (?) mentioned above, I would ask you, sir, in fairness to the narty who unintentionally injured my properly, to let it be known through the medium of your \aluable newspaper that immediately after the unfortunate incident I was met by members of the party who, caused the injury, and offered compensation for any amount which t liked to claim within reason, together with full apologies for the accidental occurrence. J might add that on account of the frank and generous at titude adopted by members of the party—who in their official capacity are the friends of all honest men—and the slight, nature of the injuries received by the animal, I considered neither apology nor compensation necessary, and refused to accept same. Further, I have extended to all members of the party in question a cordial invitation to shoot over my property at any time. Thanking you in anticipation,—l am, etc., J. ENRIGIiT.

PATIENTS DIE WHILE DOCTORS DIFFER. (To the Editor.) Sir, —St. Helen's trustees are apparently under a complete misapprehension as to their specified duty to the public. They are wasting valuable lives and time and the earning- power of money, by hair-splitting over a bald surface, which in no way concerns them. The minute of May 28ch, 1921, duly confirmed and unanimously carried, is a mandate which sets out their duty, 'thus: "That when the money is raised it be handed over to the Government on the understanding that the. establishment of a hospital be proceeded with immediately," To this there is no legal or equitable alternative. Any other course would constitute a breach of faith with the subscribers and promoters. The Minister's letter of the 23rd March, 1922, clearly implied his willingness to expend £4OOO or £SOOO, "so as to bring the people of Palmerston North the immediate benefits of a maternity home." and this is exactly what we promised them, and what they earnestly wish for. The method of providing it is entirely in the hands of the Government, who are best qualified to judge, and who are thus specifically authorised by unanimous resolution to exercise that judgment. To break faith with the subscribers, and even more so, to lose the opportunity now given by the Minister, through a quibble, would be an indefensible action. If the trustees do not forthwith recognise their duty, as set out in the resolution, and in the promise of the Minister, then the chairman and the treasurer of the original committee, and the organising secretary of the campaign, only one of whom is included as a trustee, would be justified in joining hands, and in handing over the money to the Minister in terms of the only resolution which governs the whole matter, and in terms of his written promise. Neither the users, the subscribers, the trustees nor the treasurer have any further concern in the details. Those were from the first delegated, very properly, to the Minister, who would doubtless give Mr Gerrand an acquittance satisfactory to all concerned. —I am, etc., J.H.S.

mine." Is not that enough? With regard to any alterations in the drift of the letter signed by he twelve medical men, I cannot say whether any reference to a brick building was deleted. It is quite possible, as I myself cut out any reference to a brick building in one important resolution, on the grounds that ferro-con-crete, stone, or other suitable material might be used. But if "Subscriber" suggests that any medical man in Palmerston North, or in New Zealand, can be found to advocate the use of a wooden building in preference to brick, I say, produce him. So far, the clique, for which "Subscriber" is acting as advocate, have failed to do so. As to my hospital in Stratford being a wooden building, and a converted what in the world has that to do with this question? It was built 25 years ago, and I hart to cut my coat according to my cloth. Of course, if the majority of subscribers to the St. Helen's Home fund, and the public generally, declare that the public policy of Palmerston North is to go back in steps of a quarter of a century at a time, it won't be long before "Subscriber" will be advocating a nice dry cave dug out of a hillside as a suitable maternity hospital. It would have one advantage over the converted wooden house for that purpose, as it would be cheap and nasty, while the converted wooden house would be dear and nasty. "Subscriber's" statement that Drs. Valintine and "French," of the Health Department, advocated turning a wooden building into a maternity hospital, is untrue. If "Subscriber" doubts that, ask them! I have now, I think, answered all "Subscriber's" silly questions, and traversed his major inaccuracies, and hope "Subscriber" will answer three questions of mine: (1) What is your name? (2) What financial advantage, if any, do you expect to get out of the sale of Mr Park's house? (3) Are you not tired of exhibiting yourself as a very foolish individual? If vou are not, the public is.—l am, etc., T. L. PAGET.

P.S. —I omitted to point out that the opinions I have advocated re up-to-date maternity hospitals are supported by practically the whole of the medical opinion of New Zealand, as represented by a committee of the conference of the New Zealand branch of the British Medical Association, which committee included Dr. Jellet, late Master of the Rotunda Maternity Hospital, one of the largest and best maternity hospitals in the world, and an undoubted authority on the subject, who quotes as follows: "A maternity hospital, built for the. purpose, properly equipped, and well-staffed, is undoubtedly the safest place in which a woman /an be confined. A private house adapted to the purpose of a hospital, is probably thc most dangerous, because women are collected together under conditions which render asepsis difficult and the elimination of sepsis when it occurs even more difficult." And Dr. Wylie, an undoubted authority, says: "The ideal procedure would of course be to erect a maternity block in connection with the locaj, public hospital, of sufficient size to be efficient." etc. Please note that "in connection with" is not to be read necessarily as "connected to," but sufficiently near to the main hospital to work in with it. administratively, and to receive its surgical assistance when required. The building itself need not be even visible from the public hospital, and could have a separate entrance. Such an ideal situation is ready for the purpose—part of the hospital reserve facing Heretaunga Street.—T.L.P.