Dear sir

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 93, 27 July 1943, Page 4

Dear sir

Letters to the Editor must be clearly written ori 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 right to abridge* amend or withhold any letter or letters. * DETAINEES Sir,—Notwithstanding the. tolerance in high places, of the attitude o£ conscientious objectors who refuse to lend a hand to protect our homes, women and children,- the action of the Whakatane County Council and the Borough < Council in refusing motor drivers" licenses to these creatures, Avill be applaud-: ed by all loyal residents of the Dominion. If it is true that these licenses were necessary for deer stalking at Galatea, the proposers could have had much superior sport in stalking Huns, in the same way that the brave section of our boys are doing. Galatea is not the only place, in Whakatane County where land is to be used for the benefit of. the timid. In 1901 a pioneer settler rode over 18 river fords south of Tancatua and founded a new settlement after many years of persistent agitation and petitioning Parliament and since the present war started,, he offered his broken in farm with two homesteads for a returned soldier settlement, at a price several hundred pounds below several private. offers available. After a personal inspection by the Hon. J. G. Barclay, Minister of Lands, the offer was accepted, a condition being that the land be cufc into two or three farms for returned soldiers. Since then a second dairying season is now opening, and this land promised with so much lip service, is, being occupied by those who failed us in our hour ofl need. It seems that the time has arrived for loyal citizens to form vigilance committees to watch our soldiers interests and see that they will not have to stand by as on-, lookers while the 1 less deserving get the plums. Yours etc., NO DEFEAT. 0 »'■ ■ 1 1 DICTATORSHIP OR FREEDOM Sir,—As the result of the conditions produced by" the European war the play of forces usually only visable to expert observers has become apparent to many through the dictatorship of those in power. Though the American declaration of Inde- * pendence claims the inalienable of man to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, the promise of its birth, is still being held up by the dead hand of foreign finance. We, here in New Zealand, still claim the right to vote for that freedom; but that right of expression is at the present moment being systematically cut from under us. The attitude Of Statesmen and officials to the people in whose interest they are supposed to hold office, is one of veiled antagonism tempered by a fear of unpleasant consequences. The state supremacy of patronage over merit, and vested interests has kindled wide spread resexitment in many quarters at the personal'injustice involve ed. The ever-rising cost of living, (which the Government denies) has brought home to those of. the salaried class problems which had pre- 4 viously affected only the worker, and that the ever increasing complexity of production paralled bylfe' the rising cost of the necessities of life is a seive, through wiiich. out-go all ideas and scruples and principles which would hamper the individual in the scramble for an increasingly precarious. existence. Thus the available evidence goes to show that the present system of administration fo% the purposes of ing the people (e.g. party politics) is totally unsuitable; and is the beginning of the foundation of a servile state. Yours etc., W. BRADSHAW.