THE SUNSHINE LEAGUE.

Waipa Post, Volume 31, Issue 1776, 29 June 1926, Page 4

THE SUNSHINE LEAGUE.

TO bring sunshine into the hearts of the afflicted is an achievement worthy of emulation, and thus We direct attention to the public meeting that is convened by the Mayoress for next Thursday evening, with the object of forming in Te Awamutu a branch of the (Sunshine League in Hamilton that has come to be regarded in that community as one of the most successful organisations of its kind in the whole Dominion—so much so that a branch has lately been formed in Auckland. (His Excellency (the Governor J General has applauded the movement, and in a sense given it his gubernatorial blessing. In this he is but following on the lines of a predecessor, the late Lord Plupket, whose name has been perpetuated in New 'Zealand by the Plunket 'Society. The latter organisation has won golden encomiums throughout New Zealand, and, even much further afield, for its grand work in child welfare. It is confidently predicted .that the 'Sunshine League will soon be doing equally good work among the patients in the various hospitals. To Hamilton must be given the credit for making a success of the initial (League, so far as we are aware, and that that Society has ladies and gentlemen at the head of affairs who are enthusiastic and well qualified to hold 'the positions is amply borne out by the commentary references by hospital patients, past and present. If some such body of enthusiasts can be formed in Te 'Awamutu a Sunshine League can do good work, either by co-operating with the Hamilton folk or by, as was suggested at the Hamilton meeting the other day, taking an interest in the patients who are domiciled at the mental hospital at Tokanui. There was a time when association with a mental asylum was looked at askance, but thanks to the representations of such men as Dr. MacPherson (superintendent at Tokanui) that feeling is rapidly passing. 'Cheerfulness is looked upon as an important asset at mental hospitals, and the banishment of gloom is always an endeavour. A Sunshine 'League can do much in this connection. We feel sure the medical superintendent at Tokanui and his superiors in the Mental Hospitals Department, will afford every encouragement to the League. We hope that the attendance at the public meeting on Thursday evening will be large and representative, and that there will be manifest a real desire to assist in alleviating the d,rab and dull conditions of hospital patients. There are. of course, many little ways by which assistance can be given Avithout much sacrifice on the part of any one individual, but the first essential is unity and co-operation in making a start.