WAR MEMORIAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 March 1922, Page 2

WAR MEMORIAL.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —In view of the fact that a further public meeting is shortly to be held to discuss the above question, and that there is such a diversity of opinion as to what form the memorial shall take, may I be permitted to put forward a suggestion ? Perhaps the greatest need in New Plymouth at the present time is a maternity ward at the public hospital, and if such a ward could be erected as a memorial to those who gave their lives in the cause of humanity, in what more fitting way could their memory be perpetuated? We already have in connection with the Nurses’ Home a hall built in memory of those nurses who gave their lives during the epidemic and the war. Why not have a maternity ward for the good of humanity, and in memory of those who gave their lives in so sacred a cause? There are hundreds of returned soldiers settled throughout the district whose young wives would be greatly benefited both in treatment and expense, by having such a ward open to them. Indeed, I see no reason why certain beds could not be endowed and necessitous cases treated free.

, An opinion has been expressed that country districts which had erected suitable memorials in their own localities could not be expected to contribute to the cost of a central memorial taking the form of a park, or archway. Quite so, but a maternity ward for the benefit of the whole of the Taranaki hospital district is a pressing need, and if such a form of memorial were decided upon, I feel confident that, with proper organisation, a sufficient sum carrying the usual Government subsidy, could be raised to build a ward which would be a credit to the district and a lasting tribute to the memory of those who fell in the great war. Trusting that others more able that I will express an opinion on this vital question before a final decision is made.—l am, etc., INTERESTED.