OUR LADY'S LETTER By "DOT."

NZ Truth, Issue 755, 6 December 1919, Page 2

OUR LADY'S LETTER By "DOT."

Quite a crowd of people assembled at the Town Hall on Wednesday afternoon to see the Rose and Carnation Show — only there were no carnations shown owing to the bad season. Their Excellencies the Earl and- Countess 'of Liverpool made what is likely to be their last official appearance, and were welcomed by Mr. and Mrs. Ikircourt and members of the society. Her Excellency received a glorious bouquet of crimson roses from Miss Harcourt on behalf of the society, and was escorted to the stage, which was prettily decorated with palms. His "Ex" made several sly allusions to our climate whilst congratulating- us upon the success achieved by exhibitors . who reside within a ten mile radius of the G.P.O. The "Zoo" exhibit was also alluded to by His "Ex" who eulogised the work of the Society m placing' such a splendid collection of roses where they can be enjoyed by the people who visit the Zoo. * # * The Women's Committee of the Town Planning- Association appears to be a live body and composed of very human women, too. "Dot" notices a motion, carried unanimously, which provides "that not less than two women be appointed to each men's committee." What were the dear creatures afraid of? Praps if one only went along she might become hypnotised — or mobbed ! which? Or couldn't they trust one alone to voice their wishes correctly? rectly? However, it is a grand thing to see leading women at last taking part m town planning, and "Dot" congratulates them one and all and trusts they will get going right away and influence the City Council and the Government m the building of the houses now m hand. One hears alarming rumors of lack of consideration being paid to the needs of women m the architecture of these houses. Back doors facing prevailing winds and no porch provided to minimise this drawback. * * # What on earth are Massey, Luke and Company doing m talking so much about Ngauru Island and its manures? Samoa is much more valuable to the whole of us, whilst manure can only be used by the farmer. Some leatherlunged individual asked Mr. Luke if he intended to use the stuff on Wellington streets. * # * We learn that pneumonic influenza is prevalent at Hamilton, and that there have been three deaths — two m one family. We also learn that there is no cause for alarm according to the Public Health officers. We heard that when the "flu" made its appearance m Auckland, twelve months ago. Are we to permit a return of that awful scourge m out midst without demanding that Frankton Junction, which now forms part actually of the town of Hamilton, should be cut out of the list of stopping places on the Main Trunk line? Frankton Junction has refreshment rooms -which admit local residents as well as travellers, and we all know how packed these rooms become several times each day during the arrival and departure of many trains. Will Sir Francis Bell, Minister for Public Health, get busy? It's very clever of Mr. Massey to place the portfolio of Public Health outside the House of Representatives, "because it was a devil of a risk taking it after the time Russell got." So said a Massey man when asked why Bell got the job ! Locally we should fumigate our houses with sulphur — the surest and best of disinfectants. Half fill a bucket with water, and place a dish of red hot coals on top, then sprinkle at least a quarter of a Ib. of sulphur on the coals and close doors and windows. Leave as long as convenient, though an hour is sufficient to enable the fumes to penetrate -every nook and crevice. It's always advisable to do this yearly, or when going into a house that has been occupied by other people. # * # Whilst the heat of the political fray is on us it would be as well for us women if we could keep m our minds those glorious words of Plato: "In moments of crisis it is well to let our gentler feelings direct us." Those women who are going about from one electorate to another urging, aiding and encouraging a number of men to disturb the meetings of those candidates who do not think as they do,' should read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest. That the bad example was set them of the Reform women is no excuse, because "two wrongs do not make a right." The fact that the meetings of the extreme section of Labor are quiet and orderly, and that those who disturb the other meetings are well known extremists, is doing much to help those whom they endeavor so noisily to upset. It is also deplorable to hear men with foreign tongues foremost m the work of obstruction. Surely New Zealanders can fight their own social and political battles without the aid or instigation of foreigners. • # • There is much comment m certain circles because a certain Labor M.P., who is lately paying a great deal of attention to his ttress, has been lunching at the Empire and dining at the Royal Oak Hotels. Why shouldn't he? Some of the waitresses and waiters remembered a speech or two filled with caustic references to "bloated aristocrats" who dined at these places, before His Nibs became M.P., and have lost faith m him m consequence. • # w * The person who sent up a question to Mr. Oakley Brown, asking what he did m the war, got a nasty bump when informed by the candidate that he was the father of a large, young family, and had not been called up, but would not have shirked when his turn came. This answer also astonished several hecklers who had been alluding to Mr. Brown as a "kid," and rounds of cheers greeted him when the audience realised the joke. The best chairman so far is Mr. Matt Carr, and ladies are indebted to him for being- given an opportunity to listen to a candidate with some degree of safety and comfort. "Red Feds" are making things so disgraceful- that women are asking candidates to address them m the afternoons when possible. And we women have the franchise and can't protect ourselves ! # ' * « It would be well for all who love New Zealand to take note of the astounding piece of information given us by Mr. Oakley Brown. He reminded us that Sir Joseph Ward, directly he became Finance Minister m the National Government, placed a surtax of 50 per cent, on all enemy goods imported into this Dominion, and one of the/ first things done by the Massey Party when Sir Joe went out of office was to alter this, m a manner truly cunning-, e.g., "That a surtax NOT EXCEEDING 50 per cent, be placed on enemy goods." This enables the Government to actually charge 2y 2 per cent if they feel inclined so to" do ! Will the Anti-German Leiijrue please note?