Page 3 Advertisements Column 4

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13605, 26 November 1907, Page 3

... Sir, —It is a parlous warning to our time' when a i retrogression to brutality omanates from State servants'who have elevated themselves into high'places'. Sober words fail one to express the utter loathing which. none the less surge* into the gorge that trie sanctity of a . grown woman's body should be defiled by the corporal punishment of a birch!: From this J. except no transgression , the poor souls may have yielded to. i But ■ when this is not only permitted but extenuated by such, self-appointed arbiters of the higher ' culture, one wonders if the _savage f~ (?) Maori was not a barbarian infinitely to bo preferred. For, neither" in tradition.; nor : legend do we hear that the errancy of women was punished' by legal ordinance with, any punitive instrument whatever. ; Has nod then the time arrived that the whole position be inquired into? That,:a searching examination into the fitness of State servants be instituted before they are- permitted to assume functions demanding the - exercise of common sense and humanity? When an applicant for position of trust and discretion presents himself it wore a vain mission did he not first produce credentials of capacity. Is it a wonder then that our democratic tendencies.-are-viewed with suspicion, and the glory of our loved democracy is being .tarnished, I, say, with llto soilings of a savagery every ancient na- • tion with a claim to civilisation abhorred 'as if urged by an emetic! These-' bo your , gods, 0 women of -New Zealand!, Tho mi- • prossion lies apparent that this enormity would have aroused ; an-on masse protest from Puvsegur Point ■ to;: Cape Maria Van i, Diemen." Or are you awaiting the chivalry - of vour natural champion, the male man, to take up the gauntlet? Shall I say that it serves you right when indignity is «', >. at — you and, that the aphorism, "a nation is governed according to it* deserving*, is no ■,--■ .- myth? Go to, therefore, f and encourage .A your champions. , W. 8., To KuiU.. - A November 20, .'' M