THE MAYOR AND THE HOSPITAL BOARD ELECTION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2757, 11 March 1910, Page 7

THE MAYOR AND THE HOSPITAL BOARD ELECTION.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —-The great AVilliam Douglas is angry—very, very angry. A lie l why, forsooth? What lias happened to rouse the wrath of this most advanced of all the “Progressives”? AVell, you see, the members of the Friendly Societies and AVomen’s Guild have dared believ<> they might venture to avail themselves of the privilege lately conferred on , them by r the Legislature and seek for direct representation on the Hospital and Charitable Aid Board. Surely, this is enough to make even, the most humble and most unambitious of mayors wrathful, especially when, as is seen, he had already arranged that he himself and three of his Councillor friends should represent the borough on this Board. Of course, Mr. Lysnar is immensely delighted with the Government’s action in making the desirable change that the members of this Hoard should be elected direct by the people and not through their elective bodies, and lie claims to be also pleased that such a. large number of candidates are coming forward for the various seats. Of course, Mr. Lysnar is sincere in his protestations. He always is. What, then, is lie so put out about? He claims to be glad the people can have direct representation on the Hospital Board. Only there is one little proviso. The people must vote at ho directs, or else sad will be. the consequences. The four strong men who should be returned are Mr. Lysnar and his three nominees. In this connection our friend has depicted an awful possibility. It must have come, to him in one of his troubled dreams of the night. He says, supposing the two lady candidates along with the Rev. A\ 7 . Lamb and Air. Pcttie were returned to represent the borough instead of himself and his three strong, experienced nominees, what then ? Well just here language failed him. Such a possibility was too awful even for thought. Yet, sir, lam persuaded that there are a considerable number of people in this town who would prefer even such a combination to any of Air. Lvsnars arranging. Now, sir, would it not save a great deal of trouble to the electors if they were to hand oyer the management of all ils organisations and public bodies to Air. Lysnar. He might call in a few of his special friends to agree with him in all be did. Such an arrangement would save the expense of all these elections, and would also put an end to all those heated discussions caused by those unwise gentlemen who dare refuse to bow the knee to him. One title would be sufficient instead of many. The “Boss” could include everything. But what are his charges against the members of Friendly Societies f hirst, they are daring to seek direct representation on, the Hospital Board. He says thev have no right to this. But they think they have’ seeing they represent the class that most largely use the hospital. And also remembering that, including members’ wives, there are some 1750 nersons for whom the hospital authorities are guaranteed 28s per week if tliev should need to use that institution, I think they have. Then another charge this worthy Alavor makes against Friendly Society members is that they are seeking to “nobble” (mark the chaste expression, sir) the control of the. Board for the special benefit of these societies. AVell, sir, I have heard Air. Lysnar make some astounding statements on occasions, hut this is the most astounding charge I have known even him to make. Surely the desire of the Friendly Societies to have three of their members 'on a Board of eleven representatives should not have made them liable to so <yoss a charge on the part- of the Mayor. Personally, I can cheerfully swallow the' imnliod insult, that if returned I am going to “nobble” control of the Hospital Board for Die benefit of Friendly Society members to the detriment of the rest of the community. If Mr Lysnar knew anything about the history and ideals of these societies, he would have known that it is not their principle to seek for charity. They always have been, and always are, ore pared to pay for what they receive. If I mistake not, tiny members of Friendly Societies next AYednesday will fling the insult back into Mr. Lysnar’s face, and will prove to him it is not their desire that he should “nobble” the control of every public institution in this town to suit his own purposes. And the rest of the electors will not need the assurance that if the candidates nominated by the Friendly Societies are elected, they will only seek to manage the Board in the best interests of the community as a whole. And any or all of them, if returned, are pie_ pared to refuse any interference on the part of Air. Lysnar in the present able management of the hospital.—l am, "\V. LAMI>.