PERSPECTIVE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 122, 12 February 1940, Page 4

PERSPECTIVE

IT is a, cynical fact that where Nature has set out to excel herself, in beauty of scene and charming vista, cheap controversies of. man seem to rage and storm and petty differences are distorted and enlarged until they assume the importance of national questions. Ob ope the beautiful has, upon the curve of her ample bosom given haven and calm refuge to a number of fortunate individuals who by all the rules should not have a care in the world. But are they contented, happy and carefree? Under the towering brink of the green cliff-face., serene and beautiful in the varying* lights between dawn and dust dwells a community avowedly pledged to the progress and control of the beach. The recent meeting for the. welding of all factions for a better,, cooperative state of affairs in future, released such a flow of pent up bitterness that the echoes are still resounding in these columns, A public spirited citizen puts forward a constructive suggestion for the building of a children's swimming pool, and in his enthusiasm collects, and has ready a considerable sum for the purpose. The matter has been referred to the first meeting of the newly formed Progress and Ratepayer's League. In the meantime it seems to be the hobby of certain individuals to pour as much cold water and scorn upon the proposition as their pens are capable of scribbling. While; not attempting to hold any brief for the suggestion, we feel that correspondents should at least endeavour to recognise British fair play and give the question the full latitude it deserves. Open policy dictates that the BEACON publish in its columns all letters that come to hand, providing of course that they are not libellous, or be. yond the bounds of decency. The steady stream of letters seeking to belittle and stifle the project seem scarcely to be playing the ga.me,, and we would appeal to our correspondents to at least let matters shape their own course and take normal procedure without seeking to destroy a very la.udable project at birth. The simple facts are these: an enthusiast has taken the matter up, plans are in the process of being drawn, an engineer has proffered his advice, the subscription list is mounting daily and an anonymous donor has given a further £50. In the face of all this it ill becomes persons who have not lifted a finger, to fling the mud of invective. The criticism is at the most pure guesswork —the water of a pure mountain stream becomes tainted to fit an argument for health; the project is one for ulterior motives; the threadbare rise in rates as a result is employed. These and a dozen others as childish are screamed at the public in an unfair effort to misrepresent the.; plain simple facts that a single person has sponsored a suggestion for a children's swimming pool at Ohope; This type of thing is fast making for a state of affairs which is likely to become even more pathetic than in the past, which many had fondly hoped was buried at last week's meeting. The matter is in good hands and will be carefully investigated by a responsible committee. Scaremongering through the press over an imposing array of pseudonyms is therefore as unsporting as it is unecessary. Fair play is bonny play.