THE WATCHFUL EYE

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9092, 10 July 1915, Page 6

THE WATCHFUL EYE

The attempt to represent Dr Thacker as a destroyer of property and a disturber of the public peace, because he cut open a pillow and mattrass on the hospital ship to test the bona fides of the stuffing and to ascertain whether the contents were sterilised, is a palpable party move to discredit the gentleman in question and discount the value of his representations in the public interest. However, the device will not carry any conviction against Dr Thacker. Already, the public fully realises the value of the service he has rendered "to tho country by his fearless exposure of the conditions at Trentham and his refusal to be coerced into silence in Parliament on a matter so vitally concerning the health and lives of our young soldiers. Several days ago, a woman correspondent in our columns expressed the popular opinion in this connection when she said “Thank God for Dr Thacker.” This is a sentiment that, will bo reechoed by every woman in 'this country and endorsed by every soldier in the camp. If it had not been for the exposure by Dr Thacker, there is very little doubt the epidemic would have been allowed to run its course, and certainly the vigorous steps taken to establish thorough hospital accommodation, with ample nursing and medical attention, would have been lacking. Apparently, Dr Thacker has no time for red tape methods. He is a practical professional man, with keen powers of discernment, and he is using these powers fearlessly in the public interest. When he cut open the pillow and mattrass oil the hospital shin he knew what he was about, though he appears to have excited the rage of some dominating old ladies of the “Reform” persuasion.