"MY DAY"

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24676, 31 August 1943, Page 4

"MY DAY"

BY ELEANOIt ROOSEVELT Following is the second of a series of "My Day" copyright articles written by Mrs. fileanor Roosevelt, now in New Zealand. These articles have been secured for exclusive publication in the area in which the Herald circulates. WELLINGTON, Aug. 30 Yesterday morning we started out at 9.15 o'clock, and this time our first trip was to an American naval hospital. Silverstream, as it is called, is on high ground overlooking a stream and surrounded by hills. They have a few wounded men, but the great majority of the cases are malaria. We went fir.st to the chapel and attended the 10 o'clock service. It was for me an especially nice service, as the chaplains read the 23rd Psalm and the loth chapter, Ist Corinthians, both of which are among my favourite Bible readingg I could not help thinking that these men, many of them scarcely more than boys in years, but back from experiences in Guadalcanar and other islands, which have made them old before their time, must wonder when an era of love will really rule the woiid. Hospital Comfort 1 said to one young man who seemed very ailing that I hoped he soon go home. His answer was: Ido want to go home, but not till it is finished over here." I went through several wards, and saw the operating rooms, which are well equipped. The buildings here are permanent, having been built by the New Zealanders as a convalescent home for their own men, and then turned over to us. The hospital is built for 500 patients, but last Christmas there were 1600 patients, and everyone wonders how they managed. Now they only have about the number they are equipped to take, and it seemed to me much more comfortable than the army mobile hospitals can possibly be. The Red Cross has a very much-used recreation room, and a hospitality committee arranges for convalescent patients to spend several weeks in hospitable homes. I have some letters written about the guests which will please the mothers of the united States, and later I will put them in my column when I have not quite so much to record each day. Good Will Ambassadors Now, I will just say that these Marines of ours have been good will ambassadors, and made firm friends m this far-away country. Some of the boys are doing some nice handcraft work in their spare time. One young man presented me with a delightful bit of carving, and at the same time told me he had read Mrs. Luce's speech in Time on the President's foreign policy, and it worried him, since he thought she "had a Jot on the ball" and what did I think about it. I could only say that I was not really worried, but 1 wished that time had allowed us a real discussion, for it is grand to find these men reading and thinking, but one hopes that they will read more than one point of view before they decide on what they themselves think. During the afternoon, we visited one servicemen's club run by the Red Cross. There, in their first-aid room. I saw a boy laid low by an attack of malaria which had come on suddenly, and I realised how important it was to have a quiet spot for these boys to lie in which they wait for the ambulance. The Allied Club In the canteen, which was crowded, 1 met three men just returned from Egypt. They were young New Zealanders who had seen much fighting with the British Eighth Army. Later 1 visited another club run by a group of people .in Wellington who, before our men arrived, realised there would be a need for a place where they could go and meet the New Zealand soldiers and women and young girls. This is called the Allied Club, and was crowded, and one of our Marines told me that the head hostess, Mrs. .Alloa. had been wonderful t-o our boys. In the evening, we went to a theatre, where Mrs. Fraser introduced me, and I spoke on the radio. Then Big Ben struck nine o'clock, and the customary minute of quiet prayer was observed. Then to the audience of women from all the different war services my film, sent me after my visit to Great Britain, was shown, and I told them a little about my trip of last October. At one place I called during this tour I found myself talking to a former miner from near Scranton, Pennsylvania, and what he feels about Mr. John L. Lewis I would regret to have him feel about anyone else and rather I think his feelings are representative of those of the vast majority of the men over here. He had no resentment toward the miners themselves. They were his people and they didn't understand, but against the leadership imposed on them he was plenty bitter.

We are starting off again this morning at an early hour.—All rights reserved; republication in whole or in part prohibited.

WATERSIDER'S THEFT TERM OF IMPRISONMENT Charged with the theft of 12 dozen combs and a linen quilt valued in all at £B, the property of the New Zealand Shipping Company, William Leo Benbow, paiuter and waterside worker, aged 45 (Mr. Fraer), appeared before Mr. J. H. Luxford, S.M., yesterday and pleaded guilty. Sub-Inspector Joyce said accused was stopped by Constable Scott, who found the property in his bag, the quilt being wrapped round his body. The cargo had previously been pillaged. Counsel said accused had been working on the night shift and found the property lying in the hold. He had given way to a sudden temptation, and had never been in trouble before. of two months' imprisonment was imposed. DEATH OF CHILD (P.A.) _ ASHBURTON, Monday A child of two and a-half years. Bruce Cone, son of Mr. and Mrs. J. T. Cone, of Winchmore, died in hospital on Saturday. He was found by his four-year-old brother on Friday lying unconscious beside a heap of concrete posts on his father's farm. LIMITED COMPENSATION "The Court cannot allow the amount of compensation claimed, in the face of the medical evidence," stated Mr. Justice O'Regan in a judgment yesterday on a Compensation Court claim by Andrew Baxter Allan, collier (Mr. 0. J. O'Regan), against Glen Afton Collieries (Mr. Hore). According to the evidence, said His Honor, plaintiff did not show any permanent disability, and was fit to resume work, commencing, perhaps, with light duties. Judgment would therefore be given for £34 19s lOd compensation, and £9 9s costs.

LAND FOR SOLDIERS (0.C.) PUKEKOHE, Monday A deputation from the executives of the Franklin _ and Waiuku Returned Services Associations waited on the Franklin County Council to-day with a proposal that county councils in their area, Franklin, Manukau and Raglan, should undertake a survey of farm lands in order to ascertain what suitable land was available for the settlement of returned servicemen. Representatives of the Manukau and Raglan County Councils were present at the meeting, and after the deputation had been heard it was agreed that each council should make a complete survey of the land and meet at a later date. Mr. J. Massey, M.P., chairman of the Franklin Council, stated that the county -was closely settled, although it was not suggested that there was no land suitable for subdivision. County councillors knew more about the particular ridings they represented than most people—certainly more than any Government official—and they would be well qualified for making the survey.