TO THE EDITOR

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 208, 17 July 1939, Page 3

TO THE EDITOR

A MATTER OF OPINION ~ Sir, —I feel J. should just send a short reply to your correspondent “Opotiki Always”. 1 thank him for elevating me to the position of dictator to, tho Borough Council. Some are horn to greatness, some achieve it, others have it thrust upon them. I must lie in the last-mentioned as it was entirely unknown to* me that I had achieved such an ambitious position. The matter of the public meeting came up for discussion in the ordinary way. and L stated then as I do now that it would not further the object as lload and Bail had been promised and we could rely/ on that promise, but the Alinister had said that ho would not buy ne\V machinery for the line, but use those from other sections as they cut out. Surely “Opotiki Always” will allow me to express my opinion or does he want mo to become a member of the Freedom League and think the way others, want me to think. I also take strong exception to your correspondent’s reference to my political views. Everyone who knows me knows I am a. supporter of tin* Labour Party and I have been for thirty-live years. And L would ask, is that a crime ? I do not mix party politics in my local work and strive to do the host I can for the district. I hope “Opotiki Always” can show a good record there.

He tolls mo in cue breath to get a public meeting to get the Government to move, then in the next to take no notice of their premises as they have been promising for years. Tho only thing L can see for him to do is to write to the Hon. It. Semple and ask him to eotne down and bring with him a few rails, sleepers, fish-plates and dogs and get a- start on. He could then sit back and quote. “Something attempted, something done”. T. G. JOHNSON or “New Zealand First”. HOSPITAL affairs Sir.— I. do like to .meet an opponent openly whether Political, Civil or Literary, and when I believe an injustice or wrong has been done am prepared to face inv opponent in a manly way and am never ashamed/ to attach my name to correspondence. Apparently Vour cor respondent “Now Then’ ’ does not measure up to that standard of etiquette. AJy previous observations concerning Mr. Alood.v were that he knew as a positive fact, having been a patient in hospital, that the nursing and other treatment received in hospial was completely satisfactory, because he expressed his personal appreciation to the Alatrou and Nursing Staff upon leaving the institution and also expressed the same .sentiment to me on more than one occasion, therefore it is a reasonable assumption that his remarks as reported ill the News that patients would not go to Opotiki Hospital ior certain reasons were/ wrong, even though it v.as allegedly the common talk of some misguided street- philosophers. 1 invite Air. Alood.v to explain what appears to me to he his wobbly attitude.

I. agree there is some unhappiness as between the Nursing Staff and other hospital executives but the skilful nursing, care and attention to patients did positively not suffer in any way during my association with the Board and I repeat that in my opinion Mi-. Alorxllv’s remarks, hearing in mind that as a member of the Board he had cveryi oppoitunity to make personal in\estigations. were unkind and uncharitable, and calculated to be detrimental to the harmonious working ol the Institution. Krom my recent experience in hospital I am certain patients in our local hospital receive cquallv skilled and efficient treatment to that of any hospital in the Dominion. “.Now Then” invites me to throw a little more light on the cause of the present trouble, so with all humility l make the following offer. That il the Hospital Board will accept my services in an honorary capacity as Arbitrator with definite powers, 1 am prepared tc definitely guarantee to provide the solution and remove the staff unhappiness which undoubtedly exists. B “Now Then” .sincerely and earnestly wishes to remove the present unhap pi ness perhaps he inayi endeavour to persuade Air. Aleody and other Boaid Members to accept- my offer, the onus would then he upon me to prove by notions not words mv statement. J. T. AIEBRY.