DENTAL CLINICS FOR ALL.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17574, 1 December 1928, Page 9

DENTAL CLINICS FOR ALL.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —So the people who send their children to private schools "deliberately place themselves outside the pale," according to "Fair Dinkum." That is, at least, honest. The argument that there is no discrimination against the private-school children is abandoned. They are "outside the pale" and therefore are not entitled to the benefit of dental health cervices given free to the children of the State schools. The figure of speech is apt, the best-known "pale" being the pale of British territory in olden Ireland, whilst, according to Webster, "outside the pale" means "outside the limits, privileges, protection, or the like." ,The position then is that those who pay for their children's education have ' also to pay their children's dentist's bill, whilst the State provides dental treatment to those children who are educated at the taxpayers' expense. "Fair Dinkum" thinks that Protestant parents like this discrimination. I don't believe it. The Protestants I knowbelieve in fair.play. "Equitable" informs us that the Government subsidises the private schools. Will he inform us in whal way? lam informed by a committeeman of a Catholic school that that school receives no subsidy. I have always understood that there is none. If "Equitable" has any new revelation to make. I trust he will let us have it. The fact is, of course, that those who support the private schools are, compelled in addition, as taxpayers, to subsidise our State schools. As one whose children attend a State school. I object to accepting such a mean advantage. But suffice it for the present to get the free dental clinics opened equally to children, regardless of their r creed or the school they happen to attend. —I am, etc., PROTESTANT. Hamilton, Nov. 30.