LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20832, 26 September 1929, Page 3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

BARKING DOGS. TO TEE EDITOR. Sir, —I am very much in sympathy with Sir de Spong in regard to barking dogs and their owners. It is futile to ring up the Town Hall to seek redress; but I would suggest that the City Council bo requisitioned to frame a by-law making it lawful for the authorities to demand for destruction these' curs that make the lives of many almost intolerable. I think no one has a right to keep anything on or about his premises that is detrimental to his neighbour’s peace and welfare; and what of all kinds of torture is,worse than the yelping dog at night, when all are sleeping or trying to rest—not to mention the sick whose condition is so often aggravated through want of sleep and rest caused through the unseemly barking and yelping cur ? I write from personal experience. Although not living in Newington avenue, yet 1 reside not 100 miles from it. The canine pet that is the bete noir of all in my neighbourhood has been a consistent source of annoyance for nearly two years, not only disturbing our (attempted) nightly repose but adding to his fiendish practice by running madly over newlysown beds of vegetables and flower plots. Anyone interested in gardening can readily understand bow vexatious that form of dog recreation can be. It is no use appealing to the owners of these unruly and undisciplined dogs to keep them quiet and within their own domains, as any but an extremely selfish person would not keep that which would annoy ami provoke his neighbour. Let those aftlieted by this pest, as I and many others are, thank Mr dc_ Spong, who has had the courage to air his grievance, and gn'e the ball a kick which he has started rolling.—l am, etc,, Victim. TO THE EDITOR. Sir,— l am sorry that “ Peace Lover,” whose letter concerning barking dogs appeal i • 111 yom ' ’ psue °f September 21, used, his as ho has done instead of writing the editor to ask if nothing can be. done to stop the destruction of man’s friend through some person or persons laying poison.—l am, etc. Waipori New Dam. Ho.NW. HOSPITAL NURSING CONDITIONS. TO TEE EDITOR. SIR, Although in certain quarters 1 may be regarded as a pestiferous fellow, 1 once more wish to protest against the treatment accorded to its nurses by the Otago Hospital Board. Tins' treatment may be briefly summarised in the term overworked.” I have stated .in previous letters that, although nurses are supposed to work only eight hours per day, their day’s work ig actually one of some hours longer as a rule; that, instead of getting a day off weekly, they are compelled to work'frequently for weeks without the day off, and that their yearly holiday is always gome months behind the due date. Not wishing, however to labour these points further or to reiterate too much of what has appeared in my former letters, 1 propose to break fresh ground by giving some of the duties that a nurse is expected to perform. When on divided duty she may be time-tabled to commence duty at 4.30 p.m. and by 5 o’clock is expected to have completed the making of 12 or 14 beds, to have supplied the necessary apparatus for, the occupants of these beds washing themselves, and to have emptied and refilled the same number of hot-water bottles. Sometimes patients cannot wash themselves, and then it is necessary for the nurse to do it for them. As in practice, however, it wag found impossible to do all this work in the time allotted for it — at least by the present generation of nurses—a start is made at 4 o’clock instead of 4.30, and if the work is not completed in time to hand round tea at 5 p.m.,-then it must be finished after tea is over. This is what is called one of “exigencies of duty.” Yet, after strenuous duty of this description, the weekly day off is not granted and when this is so, it often means that nurses have to w.opk for 60 to 70 hours weekly for weeks on end. I consider this a disgrate to the board and cannot be justified. Why the board thus takes advantage of a lot of young women, I cannot think. What do the lady members of the board think of it? Arc they quite content with the present state of affairs? Surely not! And if not, why not protest at the board’s table without fear or favour. As to the male members of the board, I suppose every one of them considers himself a gentleman, and if ,they were asked why they are members of the board, they would with one acclaim say, “Because we are interested in the poor and the sick in our midst. It gives us pleasure to visit the various hospitals and give words of cheer and comfort to their inmates.” Without doubt this is most praiseworthy work, but when, thus engaged, do these same gentlemen ever give thought to those nurses whom they may see ministering to the material wants, of these same patients? Does the thought ever occur to them that some of these nurses may have been working for 60 or more hours weekly for weeks on end without getting a day off, and that therefoie, they must be in need of a rest? Or is it that they are quite conversant with all these conditions, yet do not think it is their duty to say that this sort of thing must stop? Do they not realise that nurses are not automatons and that, no matter how'willing they may be, there comes a point beyond endurance, and they can go no further? To me, these beneficent ministrations to the sick are considerably nullified by the treatment of the nurses. It may be that members of the board could give good and sufficient reasons for their actions, but as an abstruse problem in psychology, I will not attempt the solution of it. Another aspect of the treatment of nurses on which T have not hitherto written, is that of their food. When the board compels long hours and strenuous work from its nurses, it were reasonable to expect that it would supply them with plenty of good and wholesome food, but this is a point on which opinion may differ. Little or no fault may be foul'd with that which is supplied for breakfast. For dinner, soup is seldom in evidence, and when it is, it often lias a heavy coating of fat on it. Probably a roast of beef is the chief item, together with vegetables, which are often not too well boiled and usually nearly cold when served to igte comers. As regards the meat, it is usually tough. Whether the fault is in the cooking or the meat itself I cannot say, but it is a matter that should be attended to. Then for a sweet, it may one day be a plateful of “yellow peril ” and for the next day one doughnut. This constitutes dinner, except that a glass of milk or water may also be had. But if a nurse is still not satisfied, it is not wise on lier part to ask for a “return ” of one doughnut or anything else. These “returns" arc not looked upon with favour in the Nurses’ Home any more than they were in Dotheboy’s Hall when Oliver Twist asked for a “ return.” Then, for tea, there will be bread, butter, and jam. together with some cold meat, and, as a special incentive for another week’s good hard work, a piece of cake is added ou Sundays. The board employs a dietitian, and would like to ask if she is consulted about the nurses’ food. If she is, does she approve of, for instance, “ yellow peril ” ns an article of food? If she does, probably the board would find it cheaper to buy it’s starch as starch and add a little colouring matter to it. Then, again. I would like to know why, it a nurse is detained on duty and is consequently late m arriving for her meal, she should be told she is too late and cannot be supplied with anything to cat as a result. I would ask some of the lady members of the board please to pay a surprise visit some day for a free meal. I am sure they would appreciate one of these meals, and if one of the nurses should happen to be late, then they might get this spare doughnut divided between tli om.

A few words now in regard to the complaint of “ Mother of Nurse ” about nurses being deprived of sonic day's pay every month. To make the matter clear it is only necessary to say that nurses arc paid not by the week or by the month, but for the first year, £3O. This works out at Us Cd per week. On this sum a nurse has to clothe herself something like as other young women do, and buy such books us are necessary for study for her examinations, Then, no matter how careful she may be, there are always some extras wanted that will further cat into this handsome salary, and then on what is left after providing for these barest of necesi, saries, the nurse may, on her annual holidays—when she gets them —go for a three weeks’ trip to Mount Cook or Rotorua to recuperate from the effect of her previous 12 months’ work. Then, reinvigorated iu

body and mind, she will be fresh and fit to start on another year’s work. Such is the life of a nurse in our public Hospital, and yet if they complain they will be told in a certain quarter that, instead of finding fault, they should be very thankful that their lot is cast in such pleasant circumstances. and, as to their remuneration, that they are really well off, —in fact, '■ passing rich ” on £3O a 3 r ear.—I am, etc.. Interested. NATIVE BUSH AND SCENIC RESERVES. TO THE EDITOR. Sir. —Perhaps only a limited number of our Dunedin residents realise the wonderful beauty of the native bush in the Waitati Valley, within a few milea of the city. Hundreds of motor cars pass down the valley between Sullivan’s dam and Waitati without their occupants really seeing the fine native flora which can only be thoroughly appreciated by those who leave the beaten track aud tramp into the heart of the virgin bush; Here may be seen a wealth of ferns of all kinds, from the stately tree ferns to the most delicate diminutive filmy fern, while hundreds of the forest trees are covered with orchids, hanging garlands of chain ferns, and “ perchers ” of maty other species. In the gullies the wealth of fernlaud is wonderful, while in other parts are groves of rimu, miro, cedar, and pokaka rising tq great height—scores of them six to nine feet, and some up to 15 feet in circumference. No more fascinating native bush can be found probably within 50 miles of our town, and here almost at our very door we have what must be regarded as one of the most beautiful scenic areas in Otago. Sad to say, all this natural beauty is doomed. Already the sawmill is at work, and a trolley line is being pushed into the heart of this splendid bush to .bring out its loads of logs to the mill. _ Soon the beauty of it all will be a thing of the past—lost to the present and future generations. Can nothing be done to save all this which should be the heritage of our children and their descendants? I would suggest that the various local societies and clubs take the matter up, and organise a scheme to induce the corporation, or the Government, to secure the area as a scenic reserve for the city for all time. Such a scheme should commend itself to our city fathers, Horticultural Society, Amenities • Society, Trampers’ Club, and to all lovers of Nature. Native bird protection societies should also be glad to co-operate. On a recent visit quite a number of native pigeons could be seen on rimu and.mjro pines, whilo bellbirds, tomtits, fan-tails, wax-eyes, etc., were fairly numerous, and several Australian resells parrots were noticed with interest, a flock of this species having frequented the bush for some years. No one can blame the present owner of the land for turning the bush into profit. Nevertheless, a purchase might be effected on reasonable terms, and if anything can be done in that direction it should bo undertaken without delay before demolition has advanced. I write this in the hope that someone or some society with a knowledge of the subject will take the matter up, so that some practical suggestions may be made as to the procedure necessary to bring about what I have indicated.—l am, etc., Herbert Price. Grendon street, September 25. AFTER-CARE OF PRISONERS. TO THE EDITOR. , Sib, — The Minister of Justice is reported to have recently declared that penal reformers, would be doing a much better service if they devoted half the time to interesting themselves in prisoners’ after-care. It is evident from this remark that the Minister does not know that the Howard League for Penal Reform has, ever since its inception, urged upon the Government the necessity for the, establishment in New Zealand of a properly organised after-care system. Now we take this further opportunity of repeating our request, aud- we do trust that this time Mr Wilford will sec that the Government does its part, for it must always be remembered that efficient after-care must be preceded by efficient “in-care,” and that “ in-carc ” cannot be undertaken until Government grants access to the prisons on the part of specially trained expert workers and the proper scientific treatment of all offenders. We are frequently reminded that there is an excellent systoni of probation in operation in this dominion, and we are only too glad to grant that valuable steps have lately been taken to handle probation in a more commonsense way; but as at present administered, our probation system cannot, in the very nature of the case, fulfil the functions of an efficient after-care scheme. W.here an offender is released on probation we can go to the probation officer, but the great mass of prisoners are not released on probation at all. The prisons’ report tells us that three-fourths of the sentences given by the courts are for less than six months, and it can be but rarely indeed that the whole of that sentence is not served, in which case the offender is sent back into society completely without supsrvision. There are only about half a dozen prisoners’ aid societies in New Zealand,' including the Christchurch Prison Gate Mission and the Borstal Association in Wellington. In addition, the Salvation Army and the Roman Catholic Church do good work, but there is a lack of co-ordinatiou of effort, and we are unable to ascertain the extent of the usefulness in either instance. Everyone who has had even the most superficial experience of real social work cap see how this leads to “gaps" large and serious on the one hand, and on the other to possible overlapping and imposture.

Organisation is accordingly the first need, and it is obvious that this can only be done, as in England, through the Government. What, then, is the English scheme? It is set out in considerable detail in Rugglcs-Brise's book, " The English Prison System," under the sub-title of “Aid-on discharge.” He says: “The commissioners informed the Secretary of State in 1909 that after full consideration they bad come to the opinion that the task of rehabilitation in' the case of a man on discharge from a sentence of penal servitude was too difficult and too costly to be left entirely to voluntary societies unaided by any grant of public funds, and working independently of each other, at u problem where unity of method and direction arc above all things required. Mr Secretary Churchill, to whom these views were represented, at once agreed that a new agency should be established for the aid of discharged convicts, and announced his decision in the House of Commons in July, 1910, The new association has accordingly been formed, and is called ‘The Central Association for the Aid of Discharged Convicts.'’ It combines, for the purpose of aiding prisoners on discharge from penal servitude, all societies which had hitherto been operating independently at prisons. This new association is subsidised by the Government, and is not dependent on voluntary contributions. At the same time the gratuity system has been discontinued, and the association undertakes to provide in the case of every discharged convict, so that he may not be without the necessities of life, and a fair prospect of rehabilitation on the day of his discharge. The association, which is under the capable management' of Sir Wemyss Grant-Wilson, established a procedure by which every convict is interviewed at a reasonable period before discharge. At this visit his wishes and circumstances are ascertained, and if he desires to place himself under the care of any of the societies represented on the association, arrangements arc made accordingly. The association is governed by a general council, of which the Secretary of State is president, and on which the societies and institutions hitherto operating in this particular field of charity are represented.” Dealing with local prisons, Sir Evelyn lluggles-Brise says that it was necessary to increase the powers and duties of aid societies, subject to a sufficient control oi public funds on the part of the commissioners. “_Thjs could only be made possible by discontinuing the practice of allowing certain prisoners to earn gratuities as a matter of right hy good conduct and industry in prison. Long experience had led the commissioners to the opinion that the gratuity system in local prisons tVcis not a. 6nccGSs* . , , Discharged prisoners' aid societies should (a) be duly registered with a certificate of the commissioners that it is properly organised; (b) that the increased Government grant should be met by a local annua] subscription, equal to one half of tile amount. . . The intention is that every ease, irrespective of the length of sentence, shall receive the personal attention of the Aid Society attached to the prison.' . . . The affairs of the society shall be managed by a committee. The committee shall appoint a sub-committee.

whose duties it shall be to meet weekly ■at the prison and to make provision for prisoners due for discharge in the coming month or fortnight. . . . The governor, chaplain, priest, and minister of the prison shall be ex officio members of the committee and of the sub-com-mittee. Lady visitors shall also be members of both. Where the amount of work to be done is sufficient, the society shall appoint an agent or agents to act under their direction and in particular^—(a) To find employment for discharged prisoners; (b) to find respectable lodgings or homes; (c) to visit, encourage, and report on the progress of all persons under the care of the society; (d) to accompany prisoners to the railway station and see them off if required. Twenty-eight aid societies were able to find employment for over 50 per cent, of the cases aided by them . , . The new system in each case,_ both for local and convict prisons, furnishes a remarkable example in the application of what niay he called the new spirit in the prison administration of this country: i.e., the cordial and harmonious co-operation between official and voluntary effort, which experience shows every day to be not only the best but the only effective method for dealing with the problem of. the discharged prisoner.” Here we have the ground work for our own activities, and it is for our Government, and not the Howard League, to initiate the undertaking. Our probation system has been put on a proper footing, and. now only needs development. Why cannot something be done with after-care? Those of us who have attempted organising atter-eare do not know with whom we can co-operate, because there is no national oigavusation of resources. Many of - our members have learned from such efforts the defects of our present penal system, and have been urging reforms from the very beginning.—l am, etc,,

. „ E. Hunt. Acting Hon. Secretary N.Z. Howard League for Penal Reform. September 24

UNEMPLOYMENT. TO THE EDITOR.

AwHu *? ur if 5 " 6 , of September 21 JMi o. M. Moss thanks me for bringing » e + l ore ? our rea <iers his statement that the only reason that we Lave unemployment with us is the ineompetency or dishonesty of some of our public men.” This statement, I felt, was not justified, and I D ?*i ce Moss, in his reply, although he still adheres to the original statement’ tones it down a bit by saying that he wishes to feel that our public *JV en are mostly incompetent. If Mr .06S will only read my letter again he wm tma X did not write of “destroying” toe present system, as he quotes. Trie word 1 used was “change,” and I think there is a mighty difference. Why should we destroy anything if it is of use? We do not destroy a private concern because it has ceased to be operated privately, and become public property. . Air we have done is to eliminate the individual shareholders who were drawing profits or dividends, and tq vest the concern in the community as a whole, to be run for the benefit of all at the lowest possible cost, ■and supply the very best service and extend the beet conditions to those operating them.

Air Moss, if I understand him correctly, considers that by adopting a certain programme, i.e,, taxation, we will arrive at the “ ideal ” of Socialism, and he suggests I should study this question. I thank him for the suggestion. If Ido not appear presumptions I might state I wrote for the purpose of creating the ideal first,' and the programme wil grow out of it. Mr Moss says he subscribes to the Socialist ideal. So do I. I learned my first lessons from Mr Robert Blatcbford’g ‘ Britain for the British." How does Mr Blatchford proceed? He starts out first to teach what Socialism is not, and what Socialism is. and then be modestly • suggests some methods to adopt to work towards the ideal. I believe that this method is sound, and that it indicates the correct procedure to follow. He also says if we are to attain this ideal we must have Socialists to perform the job. The present system, which we call individualism, is operated on a method uf competition for pri vate profit. The people who are in the_ favoured positions, and are operating this system, believe it is the best, and ought not to be called dishonest. It perhaps, and no doubt, could lie operated more competently by some who arc looking on as it were, but how did they get there? Simply because those who placed them there have no ideal. They are simply pulled this way or thp,t bycertain catch phrases, and more often by personalities, etc. Let me here illustrate my case. Suppose a young girl and boy decided to indulge in a courtship. Would you first start to advise them how to run a house or cook a dinner or darn socks? Ido not think so. If you did anything at all you would place certain inforujation in their way on how to conduct 'themselves, etc., and then they would first indulge in love-making. In other words, they would create their ideal. This created first, all the other material necessities, I think, could well stand till they decided to take the plunge. Our first duty ia to make Socialists, and I came to that decision at our last election very strongly, and I notice Mr Snowden has made that statement also since the Home elections. We have aspirants and to spare for parliamentary and municipal honours, but we lack the power to put them in office. Why? Because our education and propaganda work have been neglected. We have concehtrated too much on parliamentary representation, and failed to cultivate the soil first, aiid we have failed to’reap the harvest forthwith. We got our vote not as a result of our Socialist propaganda so much gs in the failure of tno other party to deliver the goods promised. This may have been due to incompetency, or it may have been that outside forces were too strong to allow them to proceed. But there is a fundamental, difference between those who believe in the present system and those who believe in Socialism. I still say that to characterise a person as dishonest or incompetent because he does not proceed to adopt certain methods that, if adopted, would lend to a state of affairs which he does not believe in or stand for, is to my mind not fair. A Conservative party for a Conservative policy; a Liberal party for a Liberal policy; n Labour party for a Labour policy: and a Socialist party /for a Socialist policy, and so on!—I am, etc., P. Neilson.

[This correspondent has drifted a long way from the subject about whicl he purported to write. Unemployment is a vital subject, but the public is not inrested in plans to make Socialists.—Ed.