The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, February 14, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 1208, 14 February 1914, Page 2

The Manawatu Herald. Saturday, February 14, 1914. NOTES AND COMMENTS.

What is Foxton prepared to do in connection with the proposal to erect a Radium Institute for the North Island, either at Palmerston or some other centre ? Our readers are familiar with the steps already taken by the committee ol Palmerston enthusiasts who have the matter in hand, and whose appeal for funds has resulted in over £2OOO being promised so far. The District Hospital Board and medical staff are also takiug a keen interest in the movement. The Government has been approached for a subsidy, and the mailer is now receiving its careful consideration. The Palmerston committee is getting iuto touch with public spirited men in various districts, and urging them to forward the movement and to hit up the public for funds. The Chairman of the Hospital Board has drafted a circular on the subject, which will be scattered broadcast throughout the Island. At least £12,000 will be required to purchase the precious substance and to equip the institute. This district could easily contribute ,£I,OOO for such a humanitarian cause, and we hope one of our well-to-do settlers will show the way by forwarding a substantial sum. Mr Wilson points out in his cifculat that: “Radium as a therapeutic agent is now beyond the experimental stage, so far as proof of its benefits go. There is no reason to doubt that, when further investigations are made, it will be the means of assisting the surgeon in dealing with cases which have hitherto seemed hopeless, as well as in giving relief from the pain so often accompanying the class of disease to which radium gives the greatest hope of cure or relief. Within a few years the absence of radium in a hospital will be as rare as the absence of an operating table. The emanations from it are used in two forms, either by direct application or through the medium of water. It has already relieved the worst cases of rheumatboid arthritis, which is so common in New Zealand. lu many skin diseases it has been shown to be efficacious ; in some forms of cancer to be of benefit. Whilst this is the case, there are only the very minutest quantities of it in private hands in New Zealand. (It may be mentioned that Professor Sir Ernest Rutherford, a Nelson boy, is one of the greatest living authorities on this question.)” Let us hope that the Foxton district will not be found wanting in their response to the appeal for funds to set up an institution wherein the means of relief from suffering may be afforded our fellow creatures.

Tiik speeches ou the Home Rule Bill in the British Commons is creating intense interest throughout the Empire. Sir Edward Carson’s speech stirred the emotions ot all parlies in the Commons. He said the exclusion of Ulster was not opposed to the fundamental principles of the Bill. If offered, it would put an end to Ulster’s resistance, but Ulster Unionists would not take the responsibility for a Bill which would hand the Unionists of South-West Ireland to the tender mercies of their enemies. If exclusion were offered he would go to Ulster immediately and take counsel with the people. He did not mean that Ulster should be made a pawn in any political game. “There are only two ways of dealing with Ulster,” said Sir Edward. “She cannot be bought, and will not allow herself to be sold. You must force her on by.showing good government under Home Rule, and possibly try to win her over.” (Liberal cheers). Then, facing Mr Redmond, Sir Edward Carson said : “You gain nothing by coercion. One false step in relation to Ulster will render settlement impossible. I tell the Government, I tell the Nationalists, my fellow countrymen, that they have never tried to win over Ulster. They never tried to understand Ulster’s position, If you want Ulster, go and take her; go and win her. But you don’t want her affections; you want her taxes.” Sir Edward concluded : “It is not my fault if resistance is necessary, but on my conscience I shall not refuse to join it.” (Prolonged Unionist cheers.) The Westminster Gazette states that Sir Edward Carson’s more generous tone is an implication that they are all Irishmen, aud Mr Redmond’s response reminds us that the final peace is to be made between Irishmen at Westminster. The paper suggests that the

Government should make the special conditions for Ulster a provisional arrangement until Home Rule all round is completed. This is the logical outcome of the Government’s and the Unionists’ declarations. It is sincerely hoped that some compromise will be arranged in order to avoid a civil war which would be far-reaching in its effects, Ulster’s opposition to Home Rule Is no longer looked upon as bluff.