Dear Sir

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 5, Issue 11, 2 February 1942, Page 4

Dear Sir

Letters to the Editor must be clearly written on one side of the paper only and where a nom-de-plume is used the name of the writer must be included for reference purposes. The Editor reserves the ughl to abridge* amend or withhold any letter or letters. WHO IS TO GOVERN?

| sir,—Mr J. Johnstone in an article to the Herald dated 24/1/42 says: "I take it that under Party Government we make a choice of a party that becomes responsible for the provision of a ministry, and for the Government." This gives the people of New Zealand food for reflection! I would ask if Party vPolitics produces a responsible ment? If so who is it to? If a Government has no control over its finances—for the people— ■ then it cannot be a responsible re--presentative of the people. The whole crux of the argument is that we —New Zealand —are. being subjugated by foreign finance; we go to the banks hat in hand for crumbs off the rich man's table*. The financial institution the Reserve Bank says, yes, we will let you have a few millions more for Public Works Joe, but the people will have to take another reef in their belts, to pay the interest, and taxation keeps mounting. But to come back to the point we must get rid of Party and put forward responsible men who will demand that the credit of tho people be protected and controlled for the people—not for the glorification and. profit of the Federal Banking Institutions. Sir George Gray speaking in Parliament in 1875 said: e 'l believe for reasons which I shall presently show that it would be actually in the power o.f our wealthy establishment in New Zealand to have any person sent out here as Governor who would be likely to support their interests." Later in 1883 he said: "I conscientiously believe that two or three great establishments, all really under one tlictatorate do exercise in the Legislature of this country a undoubted and dangerous influence. One great controlling power in New Zealand oppresses it from end to end. That central power is moved by the Premier, and the Premier is the solicitor for those great monied corporations." Is. it just? Does it give the people of New Zealand a. fair chance? ... as long- as this continues we can have no' hope for ourselves or our country. Sir George Gray knsw; he had been Governor of five different parts of the Thiis process has been going on. for . years, but the Federal Banks, with their Lord. High Executioner Mr Montague Norman under the guise of war are now asking lis to handi over the Sovereignty of the British nation and to come under a federation of economic serfdom "Federal Union." Alberta is fighting her battle for peace and prosperity after the war, and her sovereign rights. Let us here in New Zealand do the same! For King and Country. God Save' the King. Yours etc., W. BRADSHAW.

BOROUGH SILVER JUBILEE Sir, —I was pleased to see in Wednesday's Beacon an editorial putting forward the idea of holding a Silver Jubilee of the Borough of Whakatane. this year. years is a long period in the life of a town, seeing that Ntew Zealand has just celebrated its 100 th year of British rule. I trust that citizens will like St Paul say "1 am a citizen of no mean city." Those of us who remember little old Whakatane in 1917 and contrast it with the fine "city in the making" of 1942, will say "Hear-, hear!" to your proposal that a Silver Jubilee be held this year—war or no war. May I suggest that a reunion of old, settlers and ratepaj r ers be held one Saturday afternoon in the Domain. I visualise the Boys' Band contributing; music from the Rotunda (built by an ex-mayor); the residents of 25 years standing or longer signing their names in a jubilee register at the gates and being decorated with a rosette or badge bearing the Borough coat-of-arms; the present Mayor in chain of office, and past Mayors saying a few words; and the (Continued in previous columti)