Dear Sir

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 47, 8 November 1946, Page 4

Dear Si r

' Letters to the Editor must be clearly written on one side of the paper only and where a nom-de-plume is used the ndme of the writer must be included for reference purposes. The Editor reserves the right to abridge, amend or withhold any letter or letters.

CHATHAM ISLANDS

Sir,---In Saturday’s “Herald” you no doubt read the report on the condition of the natives in the Chathams, by the resident medical officer, Dr. G. T. Davies. How many read it thoughtfully, and considered what a blot these islands are on the authorities responsible for the care of this native community? The doctor tells of “a picture of deplorable conditions,” “the housing was' the poorest he had seen,” “the houses, in most cases, were hovels,” “the,,dietary was also bad,” “the rate, of illegitimacy was high,” ‘'wife beating was apparently frequent” etc. From other angles the doctor shows that conditions were serious. This “picture of deplorable conditions” affects you and me, for the Chathams are under the administration of our own government; your government, and mine! Is poverty the cause? No. He mentions the social security and family benefit payments, and then says: “In the Chatham Islands, where the cost of living was not high, those moneys went mainly into the hotels.” Then he 'discusses the liquor problem, and tells us that “the islanders had developed a penchant for parties lasting all night, and a wedding or a tangi had become an excuse for at least three days’ ' debauchery in the small, crowded shacks. Small children were thus brought into an atmos-, phere of drunkenness,' smoking and immorality.” ! ask you, sir, could a clearer picture be asked for of what drink can do, (and does do), for a man, for his family, and for his community? It is right in line with what the scientific authorities declare to be the sure effects of alcohol. These people are Maoris, and all who are at all concerned over the welfare of thi? race should remember that another opportunity is coming when they can be very definitely helped to higher ground by the removal of this alcoholic pitfall that we pakehas have placed in their pathway. Our coming vote is for the continuance, of all that liquor stands for and that accompanies it, or for the removal of the cause of drinkcaused conditions in the Chathams, and nearer home too. . Yours etc., - INTEGRITY.

WAR MEMORIAL

Sir,—With no desire , for limelight, I am willing to subscribe a straightout pound to the War Memorial fund, providing the money is not decimated in the way I have tried to describe in verse elsewhere in your paper. ; There «are few in Whakatane who could not afford to do the same.. A simple contribution on these lines would supply our worthy Mayor with his desired, £3OOO in record time. Yours etc., H. SERGANT.