LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24869, 15 April 1944, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Gold Comfort Sir, —Your news reports from reliable j German sources that, by sowing a new j chemical in the narrow seas, the Ger- j mans have produced "large icebergs" j in the Thames Estuary. The Germans j always were inventive, but this is colos- j sal. It must be Hitler's own idea : "If j you tell one. let it be a whopper" (vide j "Mein Karnpf"). • But the enemy must be careful not. to overdo it. The same paper shows photos of big amphibian tanks ready for the big push on the western front. If the German "scientists" freeze the North Sea solid our men can go over in jeeps and on skates. Oscar Mcß&ink. Radio Programmes Sir.- —Now that the Americans have taken control of station IZM, lovers of orchestral music, and to a certain degree, classical music, will find a blank in'their 7 to 8 p.m. programme. Some very good orchestral items used to be given "over this station, enabling many wcarv business people to enjoy an hour's music, conducive to peace of mind, and rest-fulness. I am not disparaging the American programme, which, naturally, is broadcast mainly for the American armed forces. T merely suggest that perhaps stations IYN and IYA could broadcast a few more really presentable orchestral works, without any loss of interest for the average listener, and perhaps a little more pleasure for the listener more hard to please. I know a whole radio programme cannot be altered to suit the whims of one insignificant office worker, but maybe my lament, which, perhaps, is echoed by mftn.v more, may produce some effect on our remaining Auckland stations. KB. Care of the Aged Sir, —I reiterate that "the question of the care of the aged wants looking into." When I said inmates at the Green Lane Hospital were provided with a meal and a bed, 1 meant, o! course, with full board and lodging—there should be no qnibble over what was evident or over the attractive menu set forth by tlio sister in her letter to you. .1" emphasise that I am not finding fault with anything connected with the aged sick. I am concerned with what is meted out to tnose who suffer from nothing beyond age and poverty, and I strongly maintain that there is more in life, much more, due to the particular class I mention, than mere food, shelter and clothing. Those inmates who have lost hope and energy—and many do—should be encouraged to participate in some recreation or to take up some occupational pursuit. A welfare officer is what a goodly proportion of the indigent aged require, much more than a medical officer. There is a sitting room at the hospital. It is, in reality, a combined sit-ting-writing - radio - library - conversational and general meeting room, and a doleful, cheerless, badly furnished and [inadequately small room it is. It is an I ante-room at the end of the ward, and iis intended to sferve the wants of 50 ■'■ patients. The library certainly "is free ■and contains hundreds of books" at Green Lane, and it is a disgrace to any public institution. The quality of the literature ranges from bad to mediocre, 'the volumes are old, tattered, torn nod mutilated, ami are disgustingly filthy. Such an unhygienic rubbish heap in a hospital, above all places, is beyond understanding. So far as 1 can gather, the Costley Home for the indigent aged, and all it stood for. has beeir abolished, and in its place purely hospital treatment and hospital regimentation have been substituted. So far as the hospital staffs are concerned, I have no word of complaint; they are only carrying out the policy of j the' Hospital Board. But I do complain j of the manner in which that board adj minister that part of their functions which deals with the assistance _ due j from the- community to the indigent I aged. There is nothing more souldestroying'.for an individual than to be forced to will time, with no outlet for ; liis energies* or his aspirations, and no ! means of satisfying his modest needs j in the way c*j living his own life in his I own w&yi W. J - Ki.no.