CORRESPONDENCE.

Te Aroha News, Volume XXVII, Issue 43386, 17 October 1908, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

(We are not responsible for the opinion expressed by our correspondent*.;

(To the Editor.)

Sir, -1 have read iii your paper that an inhabitant of Te Aroha, who prefers to hide his nam o , lately went prying about On a Sunday, looking over his neighbours’ fences to find out a worse man than himself in order that he might indulge in the luxury of condemning him, and seeing a man doing something useful invited society to boycott him, but no one seemed to respond, and one man had the courage to claim the right to do a little gardening on Sunday for the good of his health, and unlike the other signed his name like a man. He now makes a second attempt to persecute those who happen to differ from himself by saying “it is time those in authority took a hand in this most objectionable habit.” I quote his exact words, but of course ho means

the opposite to what h says, he doesn’t want the authorities to take a hand in Sunday gaidening, but to fine, or imprison the man who dares to do it. Well, I think the authorities would have a lot to do if they started that game, I myself often do a little gardening on a Sunday, as I think it promotes health of mind and body, besides producing something useful. I also get up at o_ o’clock on Punday morning land lap r on take milk to the Factory. Bye-the-bye does the nameless one ever eat factory butter, if so it is very wrong of him as some of it comes from Sunday work; anyhow he should be thankful that he can lie in bed on a Sunday morning for the honour and glory of God, and when he does get up have nothing to do but pry into his back gardens, and call upon society and the authorities to persecute those who are so industriously iuclined that they find it difficult to do a loaf for a whole day, and who don’t think the Almighty is angry if they raise a flower or prune a tree.—l am, etc , J. Squirreli,.

To the Editor.

Sir, - There has been interesting correspondence in your paper of late on the No- License Question, the majority of letters evidently written by men. Have not the Women Voters of Te A roha some interest and opinions to express on this subject ? Personally, T think so, but they do not appear to realize their responsibility sufficiently. How priviledged we New Zealand women should feel to have voting power on such a question, when we think of the thousands of our own sex who are ruined by the curse of drinking in Britain, where they are still fighting for the rights we enjoy. If, however, we do not exercise this right, there is danger of a time coming when the women of New Zealand will not see the shame in entering a public bar. As one therefore who is proud of her vote, 1 trust that every woman over 21 years of age will see that her name is on the electoral roll, and read and le im all that she can on the subject of No-License before voting. Much information can be gained from the letters published in your paper, and I appeal to our women to consider the moral influence of the drink traffic, not only foT their own sakes, but for those weaker than themselves and less able to resist the temptation. Trusting that my letter may move other women to write on this subject.—l am, etc., Reasonable.

To the Editor,

Sir, —I have had forwarded to me a copy of your paper containing an abusive letter from some liquor coward, who hides his identity behind a nom de plume. His talk about temperance advocates cun be treated with absolute contempt, his simulated indignation over our refusing to play into the hands of the liquor men by accepting No. 9 clause is sUre evidence that he is no friend of temperance. In all probability, despite his signature he is in soihe way identified with the traffic. The one reason I condescend to answer his letter is that he quotes Father Matthew and his work as an evidence that moral suasion and not legislative reform is a remedy for drunkenness. I should like your loaders to know that behe died Father Matthew expressed his intense regrot that he had not sought legislative reform, as by that time he had seen that where “ liquor bars ” are perpetuated temperance work can never be permenent. Ireland to-day is as drunken as ever.—l am, etc,, Leonard M. Isitt.

To the Editor.

Sir,—Would you t kindly allow me, through the medium of your valuable paper, to bring the following case to the notice of the public of Te Aroha. A fentleman arrived here from Waihi a few ays ago suffering from rheumatism, and wished to have massage treatment in the bath. No Government masseur being available, he applied to Mr A. J. Brownley (qualified masseur) who undertook the case; but on applying to Dr. Kenny for permission he (Dr. Kenny) said he had . no power to grant permission (although the patient was willing to pay for a ticket for the masseur to enter the private baths) and therefore could not do so. The gentlemen has therefore to return' without the massage treatment, and consequently, I suppose without being cured. If this is not autocratic treatment then tell me what it is ? are we for life to be the slaves of the Government ? This case is in keeping with one which happened over twelve months ago. An I olq -soldier arrived here suffering from paralysis caused by a bullet wound in the head, received in action while fighting the epemies of his country. On arrival here he found. ho could not walk up the hill to No. 2 ibath (the one ordered by Dr, Kenny) and after looking round for a way to get to the bath, found that by going round by Mr Wiggs house he could (when there was no rain) get to No. 6, but here again the road stopped his getting to No. 2. On pointing this out to Dr. Kenny he very kindly wrote particulars to the head of the'Department, with the result that this. old soldier was allowed by the Government to pay (£3) for a railing in order that he might be able to get to No. 2 bath and get cured, or try to. Now, sir, I ask are not both these cases a disgrace to any Government, and particularly to one calling itself Democratic. In the first case we have a poor patient suffering from that fearful curse, rheumatism, willing to pay for a masseur to nib him in the hot spring waters Almighty God in his goodness and mercy allowed to flow out of the earth (and which the Government have grabbed like other things). In the second case, we have a poor old soldier wounded and paralysed, coming here foist' cure, with the hope of walking again ; but what encouragement does he get’ after years of service for his country’ none, or practically none. He has to pay them pounds for a railing to enable him.to get to the bath ordered by the Government Doctor, or if he does not or is not able to do this, then he has to return to the place he came from, as

tourists not invalids are wanted by the Government atTe Aroha, and the latter will not get atiyTielp although they may be helpless from serving their country. Surely the head of the Department can trust Dr. Kenny sufficiently to allow him to use his own judgment in matters like the aforegoing ones. —I am, etc., K. F. W.'Lyons-Montgomery.