HEALTH HYPOCRISY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 135, 9 June 1937, Page 6

HEALTH HYPOCRISY

Sir,—Your contributor “Grandmother” “hit the nail on the head” in suggesting that the Plunket Society stand true to its motto and colours, by refusing to tolerate intoxicants at the ball. Emotional hypocrisy is rampant to-day. On the one hand large sums are being rightly spent to give unfortunate children a chance through health camp service. On the other hand little is being done to cut the tap roots that are supplying a great number of diseased and defective children to the population. We stand aghast at war losses—at accident losses, but what about the millions of babies born each year the victims of disease and deformity as the result in riumerous instances of parental alcoholism, drug and patent medicine habits and vicious living and lust, and birth interference? Mr. E. H. Potter of the Auckland Hospital Board, was Press reported as lifting the curtain a little when he stated that “23,500 patients had passed through the venereal department of the hospital in a year.” What would the Dominion total be? The public is being taxed to deal with this harvest. Isn’t it time that health hypocrisy was challenged and that societies like Plunket led the way.—l

am, etc., "GIVE THE UNBORN A CHANCE.”

Other than claret-cup the committee of the Plunket Ball to be held to-night, is no countenancing the presence of intoxicating liquors. The committee, however, is powerless to restrict private persons in their private capacities from doing what they will in the matter of supplying themselves with liquor.- -Editor "Chronicle.'’