``Every day,'' writes the director of that institution, ``one finds interested groups of people looking at these photographs of New Zealanders who, in winning their distinctions, and often, alas! making the supreme sacrifice, on the battlefields of the greatest war the world has ever known, have also made the name of New Zealand honoured throughout the whole world. There are almost a hundred photographs already framed, many more await framing, others are on the way from France and England, and, like those already hung, they include all grades of distinction, from the brilliant achievements of the V.C. to the patient selfless devotion to duty which lies behind the brief record `mentioned in desptaches'''.
Anzac Day refreshments
The suggestion that the Otago and Southland Patriotic Association made a charge on the soldiers who attended the Anzac dinner last year is one that should be quickly and irrevocably removed. The ladies of the association were asked to take over the control of the dinner, and at once set themselves to the work in their usual whole-hearted manner, and as a result of their efforts the tables in the Early Settlers' Hall were lavishly stocked with gifts of poultry, fruits, etc., and dainties of every description. The ladies, in fact, obtained the whole of the food required for the dinner, and in the goodness of their hearts were only too pleased to be able to do so. But they made no charge, nor did the association receive any monetary consideration whatever. It is understood, however, that the soldier management made a levy on those sitting down to the dinner, and that this money was required for the soldiers themselves.
Social disease
Dealing with the question of social disease among the New Zealand troops at Home, a soldier who has a good many opportunities for observing its incidence, writes as follows:- ``As for social disease - well, you can't prevent the incontinence of the unwise, but you can minimise its effects almost to vanishing point by some straight-forward educational lectures on the subject, and by the provision of intelligent prophylactic treatment. This minimisation is carried out here (at Hornchurch) with conspicuous success. Steps are taken to ensure that all men in hospital know exactly what to do both before and after their lapses in order to render themselves as far as possible immune, and the material may be had gratis for the asking. The percentage of men who germinate the disease here is small, though naturally the number of those who risk it is very large indeed.''
Girl joyriders
The motor car joy-ride evil has found an entrance into Kaitangata (according to the Clutha Leader), and the actions of certain youths and girls are being severely criticised. Unless parents exercise more strict control over the lives of their children it is more than likely the police will be compelled to adopt measures for the safety of those girls of tender years who cannot appear to realise the danger attending their frivolous frolics. - ODT, 25.4.1918.
