SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 153, 24 November 1914, Page 3

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT.

To the Editor, Sir,—The old saying "Straws tell the way the wind is blowing," is amply exemplified by some of the legislation put on the Statute Books by the Massey party—that party which during last election posed as the friend of the small farmer, etc. Now it has been recognised of late years that the State has a certain responsibility with regard to the health of the community, and more particularly that of the growing youth from the cradle up. The fact that the whole community as represented by the State recognises tl>a need and the benefit of medical inspection of the schools and scholars is but an evidence that the wellbeing of future men and women is of paramount importance. Naturally, one would expect that (when the State decides that medical inspection must be put into effect and clamps on the ratepayers the cost of such) some equitable working scheme would bo formulated. But what do we have presented by the so-called Reformers, the friend (?) of the poor man who all the world over is known to be the responsible party connected with large families? We have a clause in the Education Bill passed this session that in itself shows that the poor man and the small farmer can ex- . pect but one-sided legislation if the (Tory element as represented by the Massey Government" are returned to power. I ask any fair-minded person to analyse that statement with the clause I mention which reads as under: —

"135.—Any parent or guardian of a child attending a public school who has been notified by a medical inspector ' that such child is suffering from a serious disease ova serious bodily defect, and who neglects, after a second , such notification, to obtain for such child suitable medical or surgical treat- . ment, may bo deemed to have been guilty of cruelty, or neglect oF such child, and proceedings may lie taken accordingly." Just imagine +!\e position of a man (with a pig family, struggling under exlisting economic conditions, is forced to lincur stiff expenses for medical operations on his children. No doubt it will be argued that it is his duty, but large families mean (under our present civilisation) all kinds of hindrances to a man's advancement that it is not to be wondered at that restriction of same (is sought. Tf every child born in New Zealand is looked upon as of so much lvalue to the community, if it is necessary to spend time rind mofley in encouraging the rearing of healthy children, [if it is necessary in the interests of the icommunity of the present and of the (future that the school children should (receive medical attention at the hands jof the State, and if large families means jkecping a man poor for the end of his jdays, then I maintain that the State see to it that the medical attention nec'essary should be paid by the State, but the small farmer, the working man, and those most directly concerned will never get legislation to that effect put into force by the "Massey party. Their party endeavors in the interests of the men I quote prove it. It means progressive men at the head of affairs to see that justice is done the family man, and, reader, don't forget it.—T am, etc., JOk B. SIMPSON, Durham Road.