THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1905. LABOUR.

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume VI, Issue 9, 24 January 1905, Page 3

THE WAIMATE ADVERTISER TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 1905. LABOUR.

Throughout the world labour seems in a restless state. The trouble in St. Petersburg is, of course, the most serious, and although shown in the form of a strike, is really the protest of the people against the autocracy which has so long held sway. For a long time labour matters have been in an unsatisfactory state and thousands of workers have been in idleness. With the enormous drain of capital due to the war and the consequent stoppage of industry the pressure on the working classes has become acute. With a priest as their leader they now seek a fair hearing from the Czar, and on his actions will depend the issue. The unhappy monarch seems to earnestly desire reforms, but he has not the strength of will to overcome the opposition of his reactionary ministers. It was to have been expected that the Czar who so few years ago issued the Peace Rescript, urging all nations to lay down their arms and prepare for the universal brotherhood of man, would have been the. first to put his ideas into practice at home, but the latest cables state that the soldiers fired on the mob who were proceeding to the Winter Palace, and many were killed and wounded. Their courageous leader was arrested and is probably ere now on his way to the frozen wilds of Siberia, bnt the mischief is done and only courageous diplomacy can now save Russia from something very much akin to a revolntion. With the greatest war of the century on her hands in the East, and with unwilling soldiers waging it, this latest burden should prove more than Russia can bear. Whether the strikers and their sympathisers are beaten or put off with promises the break-up of Russia’s government by autocracy has commenced. THE TREATMENT OF CON-!! SUMPTION. To morrow the Waimate Hospital Board of Trustees will receive a deputation from the South Canterbury Hospital and Charitable Aid Board, in reference to a proposal to treat the consumptives of South Canterbury,in an annex to Waimate Hospital. A considerable amount of talk and ihk have been expended over the whole question of treating consumptives in Waimate, chiefly from those opposed to any treatment whatever in the town. The reason for this is not far to seek. Some few years ago, when tuberculosis was little understood, and absolutely no precautions were taken, the disease spread rapidly, and was therefore credited with being very malignant. Nowadays, when, under the influence of sanitary surroundings and commonsense treatment, the disease can be kept well within bounds, and when not too far advanced can be cured, it is difficult to overcome prejudices that were instilled into people’s minds. It is a patent fact that fifty patients living together under proper supervision are less harmful than two walking about the streets and expectorating.- The Waimate Hospital Trustees know this and can be trusted to give any proposal tending to alleviate suffering their

careful attention. A paragraph in the' f‘ Press ” says that “ three malepatients have been discharged cured from Nurse Maude's Camp for Consumptives during the past weak, making fourteen in all cured sinje the opening of the camp. Two others left very much benefitted.” Those people can now go where they like without being a menace to anyone. Nurse Maude has nobly devoted her life to arresting the spread of consumption and the above paragraph is one of many that will record her success. In Waimate, thanks to the Hospital Board and its Surgeon, several patients have been cured and relieved, so that we trust common humanity will actuate Waimate people in their attitude towards the proposal to take South Canterbury patients and give them a chance of life and cure. To call a public indignation meeting, as has actually been proposed, is more worthy of Central Africa than of a more civilised community, and would make us the langhing stock of the colony.