THE PLAINS WAR MEMORIAL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4438, 10 July 1922, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE PLAINS WAR MEMORIAL.

Sir,—I have read with interest and amusement tilie recept discussion regarding the war memorial for the Hauraki Plains soldiers who fell in the Great War. Although I am not a subscriber to the War Memorial I am a returned soldier, and as .a returned soldier I would like to express my opinion. The position of the war memorial has bedn debated and haggled ovei’ by the two old rivals > Ngatea and Kerepeehi, neither thinking of the utilitarian service, of the school but each trying to push) Ngatea bn Kerepeehi, as the place may be, so that one or the other can obtain a fillp to its prosperity. Now, it seems tp me that while all this discussion has been going on the main object, the war memorial itself, has been lost sight bf. To those who have been interested in education the building of. a high school such as this must seem an error of judgment. A high school with 25 members seems to me to be. absolutely ridiculous, and will cause more harm than good. I am., surprised that some ofl the schoolmasters in Paeroa or on the Plains have not expressed their opinion on this subject. Small secondary schools such as the proposed one are, instead of being an advantage, a hindrance to young people, as they prevept the children going to good schools where the standard of Work is altogether (higher and the pupils have every opportunity of passing the Civil Service examinations and matriculation, the stepping-stones to the professions. I consider; the building of a high school at present is quite premature, and; not by any means essential.

The most, worthy object for a war memorial seems to pie to have been missed altogether. If there. Is one thing the Hauraki Plains people need more than anything else at the present Ume it is a small ,well-equipped cottage hospital. At present we find the Thames Hospital half full of Plains people, who have often suffered agonies through long trips over wretched roads and launch transport requiring frequent shifting of the patient, and whom it takes their friends at least a day to visit. What more worthy object could we have than the relief of such unnecessary suffering ? A cottage hospital would save many a weary sufferer hours of, agonising pain, and would be the best memorial we could erect tp the memory of the boys who died that we live a happier life. A high school is not essential; a hospital is. Let the War ;Memorial Committee make inquiries into the matter and get a fair opinion from all the subscribers, and any subscriber who has seen women suffer as they dp suffer on the Hauraki Plains for want of proper hospital accommodation, will know what is required most and vote accordingly. Ifl the committee cannot see its way clear to do this it is time some of the returned soldiers had a say in the matter. I would like to hear th,e opinions of others with regard to this proposal. PLAINSMAN.