Dear Sir,

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 91, 7 February 1947, 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 right to abridge, amend or withhold any letter or letters.

OIIOPE SURF CLUB

Sir, —I wish to congratulate you upon your article in today's Beacon re the urgent necessity of establishing a Surf Club at Ohope. It is a blot upon the public spiritedness of a community that such a tragedy as that which recently occurred has to take place before the community realises its responsibility. I do not wish to disparage the activities of the recently formed Ohope Progress League, but I do say that one of its first thoughts should have been to make the beach as safe as possible and as you say there has been a Surf Club which had gone into recession during the war, the 'first action should have been to revive it. ,

I note your statement that, in the past, public support has been conspicious by its absence. During the few years I have been here, this fact has been very noticable. The townsfolk are ultra-conservative; too wrapped up in their own little selves and what they can amass for themselves. Now that there has been such an increase in the number of residents this should be overcome. It is up to these newer residents to realise their responsibilities and to do their share to advance their town and district.

To back up my words I enclose a donation towards the re-establish-ment of the Surf Club and I hope you will open a list for that purpose and forward the proceeds to the Ohope Progress League. I am sure there are ninety-nine people in Whakatane better off than I am. Now if they "come to light" we will be giving a lead to those young people whom we wish to be active members in the Surf Club.

Wake up Whakatane! Yours etc., L. C. RICHARDS.

(In connection with the above we acknowledge receipt of the sum of £l, for which we thank our correspondent, and will be glad to hand it over to the Surf Club as soon as it is reformed, together with any further donations which may be prompted by his example. Ed.)

UNION OF ELECTORS

Sir, —In a recent letter I have explained how .the people are being frustrated by party polities. At a recent bye-election in Canada (Quebec)! As a non-party triumph it stands out on its own. The paper report calls it a Social Credit Party, but there is no Social Credit Party in Quebec. L'Union des Electeurs (Union of Electors) is a non-party organisation working to bring each individual Member of Parliament under the control of his electors. Where the member will not serve his electors, the policy of L'Union Des Electeurs is to remove him and replace him with a member who will. This was done in the Quebec Election. So far from being a victory for party politics in any shape or form, as the press would have us believe; it was a Social Credit victory in Quebec and a smashing blow at party politics. "The London Times" of September 19, 1946, and the Australian press having referred to Mr Peal Caouette's victory as a Social Credit victory. But the most significant fact was the defeat of the Government forces in its first test of strength since the 1945 Election, and the fact that the defeat came in the Province which was the chief Liberal stronghold, with the Conservatives a long third. While nothing can take away from Alberta its pioneer honours, I would venture to say that from now on, Quebec will assume increasing importance not merely in Canada, but in the future will be joined by colleagues from all parts of America, to assist that little band whose influence has so greatly exceeded its numbers. Yours etc., W. BRADSHAW.