Dear Sir

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 60, 8 April 1946, Page 4

Dear Sir

Letters to the Editor nrnst be clearly written on one side of the paper only and where a noffl-de-plume is used the name of the writer musi. be included for reference purposes. The Editor reserves the right to amend or withhold any letter or letters.

Sir, —In the interest of public safety on such future occasions, may I express the opinion that on the flight of the recent R.S.A. Benefit Concert, when three forms were moved in, obstructing the main exit of the Caledonian Hall, in the event of fire, a death trap for hundreds of adults and children, was created. Although many of us realise the foolishness of panic, those present at the concert could imagine if a fire occurred, the panic which would have arisen in such a gathering when the main exit was found

to be blocked, thus hampering .an orderly exit. No doubt the intention of the person or persons responsible was a kindly one to provide seats for some of the patrons standing, but until interval at least, even that intention went amiss, for as soon as the forms were moved in, they were immediately claimed by the younger folk as grandstands, leaving the elderly and middle-aged who needed seats still standing. lam not of a pessimistic nature, but in future why let our community risk a calamity such as happened at the Coconut Grove Cabaret, Boston, U.S.A., where nearly 500 lost their lives as the result of an exit becoming blocked when a fire occurred?

Yours etc., .- SAFETY FIRST.

COMMUNISM Sir, —In view of misleading attacks made on Communism in a recent advertisement in the Beacon I wish as a Communist to state the following: Communism will ensure freedom for every man, woman and child, with equality of opportunity irrespective of race, sex or colour. Communists fight openly against all forms of opression and so they are regarded as enemy number one by Nazis, Italian, Japanese and Spanish Fascists. They will join in any practical work to feed the hungry, clothe the naked arid help the down trodden, but they always prefer to help people'to help themselves when possible. They will work for any co-operative movement for the betterment of mankind whether organised by Christians or others. They are not anti-Christian and they put their belief in the brotherhood of man into practice and denounce all theories of a master race. There are no special rights or privileges connected with membership of the Communist Party but members must work for the good of their fellow man to retain their membership, but they can 1 be sure of .being persecuted and slandered by others. Yours etc., C. J. HALLETT.