The only reason with any tinge of plausibility about such a decision is (our contemporary says) that if public lectures on cancer are delivered, a certain number of people who are not suffering from the disease may be given unnecessary alarm. It urges, however, that the time has gone by for the leading facts of public health to be treated as a mystery and kept sealed from the eyes of the layman, and expresses its pleasure that the medical men of Christchurch have taken a far more enlightened view of their duty to the public, and have co-operated most cordially in the educational campaign inaugurated by the local Board of Health.
An appeal to the mothers of Auckland to take a more active part in the cause of social purity was made by Dr Averill, Anglican Bishop of Auckland, in an address delivered at the Diocesan Mothers' Union annual festival service in St Mary's Cathedral last week.Bishop Averill spoke to the mothers' responsibility. Who could be more interested in the protection of boys and girls than the mothers unless it were the fathers? ``And,'' he added, ``I would that my own sex, the fathers, the brothers, the husbands, had more moral courage to speak out and take a bolder stand against the growing sin of impurity. The greatest and best protective measure was the home, and the noble example of parents. In many homes of the present day there is neither religion nor ideals, and one could hardly wonder that boys and girls went out from such homes to swell the great army of the fallen. Take your courage in hand, and do your utmost to save these boys and girls before it is too late. Speak out more boldly upon the growing degradation of the word `love', and declare before all the world that the only remedy for the present terrible conditions of social impurity lies in Christian homes and Christian influences.'' The Bishop spoke of the tendency to look for amusement in the street, such as the picture show - anywhere but in the home.
During the sittings of the Military Appeal Board in Wellington several reservists of the first division, selected by ballot for service with the Expeditionary Forces, have asked for time to adjust their private affairs. This point was mentioned by the military representative, Captain Orr Walker, in the course of the hearing of an appeal. Captain Walker said that reservists of the first division ought to understand clearly that they were liable to be called up for service any month, and they should adjust their affairs accordingly. Every member of the first division might expect to be summoned some time in the not distant future as the ballot gradually exhausted the roll, and the reservists would not be entitled, except in exceptional cases, to claim more than the fortnight ordinarily allowed. They should look ahead and make their preparations to answer the call promptly when it came. The recruiting authorities, added Captain Walker, had been inclined to deal leniently with the early cases, and had not raised objections before the boards when reservists asked for extra time. But they might have to take up a stronger attitude as enlistment proceeded and the procedure became familiar to the community. The safe course for any reservist to pursue was to set about making his plans for the day when the call to service reached him, whether it was next week or next year. - ODT, 13.12.1916
