AMALGAMATING SEASIDE SOCIETIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 November 1915, Page 3

AMALGAMATING SEASIDE SOCIETIES.

To the Editor. Sir,—May I crave your spate to advocate the cementing of above? We have at the present time three separate bodies who hold festivals, sometimes on the one day. "United ye stand, divided ye fall!" Cannot the executive of each society meet and agree to pull together? I would suggest that the Tourist and Expansion League convene a meeting for this purpose. This suggestion is not made on behalf of the Ngamotu Society, hut it is only my personal opinion. 'Parochial elements will not foster population and progress in any place, especially a town like ours, which has a great future before it.—l am, etc. ' D.J.H. [The seaside societies have the right to nominate one of their committee to a seat on the Expansion and Tourist Leagne, which would be only too pleased to act in the wav suggested bv D.J.H.— Ed.]

To the Editor. Sir,—ln your issue of to-day ''Clear Headed" suggests that, as I state: "If alcohol is necessary to sick men on a hospital ship it is necessary in the trenches to prevent disease," 1 must also believe in drugs. I do, certainly, when administered by a qualified medical man, as they are administered both in and behind the trenches to alleviate the sufferings of our soldiers. Does "Clear Headed" doubt that this is done? At the same time, I would remind him (or her) that alcohol and drugs are two totally different things. The most ardent No Licence advocate will surely not object to our men gaining relief from pain by properly-administered drugs, but when Mr. Wright states that the rum ration a lot of sickness in the trenches he is met by a storm of indignant denials and so-called proof that our leaders and medical men are opposed to alcohol in any form. Mr. Maunder states that the Hospital Ship supply is in accordance with Army regulations made by the Army Council, who, according to Mr. Maunder, merely cling to old traditions and arc quite ignorant of the harmful effect of alcohol. Surely the members of the Army Council are in a position to better judgr what is necessary for our troops in the way of alcohol than can the "arm-chair critics" of New Zealand. At any rate until someone can convince me to the contrary I must still remain "PUZZLED.