OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 May 1939, Page 4

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

HOSPITAL RATING (To-the Editor.) Sir, —In reply to “One of the Bally Fools,” I heartily agree with his nom-de-plume. I and those associated with me in framing the remit under question, were actuated in the first place by the fact that contributions to hospital finance are:— (1) Property owners. (2) Government subsidy. (3) In-patients’ fees. In like manner the following do not contribute: — (1) Private incomes and salaries. (2) All other persons, not being property owners. Our first point is that all property owners, whether city or rural are compelled to pay whether they earn an income or not. The second essential point is that, the person in receipt of income, salary, or other form of remuneration, and not being a property holder contributes nothing whatever, to hospital maintenance. Nevertheless, if hospital service is required all receive equal hospital attention. Is it not therefore entirely right and proper that the charge should be based upon earnings as in the case of the Social Security charge? Hence our assertion that hospital rating should be distributed on an income basis or in the terms of our remit—"ability to pay.”—l am, etc., H. BENNETT. Master ton, May 11. OUR MUNICIPAL BAND (To the Editor.) Sir,—With space-trespass apology, I would like to make a slight public appeal to your readers in the matter of band uniforms for the members of our local band whose annual social reunion last evening was one of the highlights of the year as far as old time ex-bandsmen guests are concerned. As their chairman (Councillor W. White) rather jocularly remarked, on learning of the sad state of disrepair as regards the nether garments of our local bandsmen at a recent ceremonial parade that had been the subject of adverse public comment: “It might yet be possible to cut these down sufficiently to pass muster as a Kiltie Band!” To prevent this, and in view of our Municipal Band taking possible part in the great Centennial Band Contest next year (as the result of some over twenty public-spirited young citizens recently associating themselves with Bandmaster George Hutchinson to such promised thought in view) it but needs a little extra publicity being given to the subject to see our band adequately clothed, at least, when endeavouring to keep Masterton “on the map” in sight of the tens of thousands of oversea visitors to Wellington shores during the momentously-historic period named.

Thanks to our local borough councillors (acting as representative donors on public behalf) the major financial Heeds of our band, as far as expert tuition is concerned, are well met; whilst the question of suitable highclass instruments, for contest purposes, is for the chief part settled for the next decade at least. The additional donations of private citizen supporters of our bandsmen (as an asset to the town) has likewise enabled a commendable report and balance-sheet to be most regularly maintained with the added funds accruing, by way of band programme efforts of one and another kind. Practically debt-free, at the present moment, as far as major commitments are concerned, it would be a splendid gesture on the part of Masterton citizens as a whole to find some outstanding and even spectacular means of providing our Municipal Silver Band players with a striking uniform (as suggested by one of their old ex-performers of the palmiest days of its career) which could do credit not only to the band but to the town itself, more especially in view of their possible appearance where (as much as musical performance) a smart appearance on parade so greatly counts. It is a far cry back to the days when members of the old Henry Pearson private band regime experienced its greatest periods of adversity when the question of new uniforms cropped up. An almost similar condition of affairs (half a century later, and our town grown ten times more populous and prosperous meanwhile) is after all a matter of general, and not private, public concern; and one that no one doubts collective ability to overcome, once direct attention is focused upon its major claims.

With thanks to our local band secretary for his always remembering to invite all ex-bandsmen to attend the annual social of the Municipal Band,' and to you, Sir, for permission to make the above appeal to citizens generally.—l am, etc., “COLONEL BOGEY.” Masterton, April 12. WOMEN & SOCIAL SECURITY (To the Editor.) Sir, —From the time the overseas financial expert declared that the New Zealand Government’s Social Security Scheme was an unsound and an impracticable proposition, there has been great uneasiness in the minds of • the women of this country. That uneasiness has now developed into the strongest conviction that that expert knew what he was talking about. The necessary taxation will be so burdensome and crippling 'to individuals and industries alike that the unsoundness and the impracticability of the whole scheme is staring us in the face. The weight of this taxation on single women- —unable to earn and with very limited means—and girls and boys, who are infants in the eyes of the law, is cruelly severe. These cases are certainly a crying shame on those responsible for such legislation. A letter in the Christchurch “Press” from a woman, appealed to all women of New Zealand to rise and unite into one organised fighting movement of protest against this unjust Social Security law, which has been forced upon them. It has taken from them that justice and freedom which they have a right to demand under our British Constitution. The response to this appeal was amazing. Letters, both public and private—many containing donations —were received, and a meeting was called and a committee was formed. Any interference whatever between a woman and her doctor is an outrage. The doctors are a noble army of men who have never, in any way, or at any time, let their patients down, and we can never be grateful enough to them for their united and determined stand against this Government’s attempt to socialise them. It is now surely up to us to stand by them with equal determination. This women’s protest movement is nonparty and in no way advocates nonpayment of these taxes, so is definitely not encouraging anyone to defy

the law. That matter is left to every individual’s own discretion, but, in every way, this movement will endeavour to increase the strength of its numbers of protesting women. Like all causes championed by British blood, our forces will strengthen as our battle lengthens. Thank God for the freedom of the Press which enables us to get into touch with our kindred-spirited fellows, so 1 let us use this glorious freedom while it is still open to us. Women of the Wairarapa are invited to join in our protest against these wrongs.—l am, etc., E.C. Christchurch, May 10.