Dear Sir,

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 58, 25 July 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.

Sir, —I; think Mr Bradshaw’s recent letter regarding the international distribution of food, read in conjunction with a small and inconspicuous paragraph appearing in the “N.Z. Herald” last week concerning the purchase by New Zealand of linseed oil seed from America, and the oil content of this seed being debited against Britain’s allocation of fats, is enough to make thinking people realise Russia and the other European countries who are holding out against U.S.A.’s policy, have good cause for their suspicion and mistrust.

Yours etc.,

R. A. KING.

HIGH SCHOOL DANCES

Sir, —We disagree with both “Nine Times Out of Ten” and E. Robinson. High School dances are both useful and educational, and we see no harm in them whatsoever, especially as pupils are under teachers’ supervision throughout the entire evening.

We do think High School dances serve to instruct pupils in their behaviour for public dances and functions later on. It is general knowledge that a giri does not enjoy herself if she has not previously learned, or is not familiar with the different types of modern dancing. “Nine - Times Out of Ten” and E. Robinson may argue with, me on this point and say that one can learn at public dances. This we also disagree.) with, as from personal experience we find that men usually seek girls whom they know can dance, and the others are left to be what are known as “wallflowers.” The last High -School dance was a splendid success, and we do not think any of the parents or teachers present had any complaints to make so much so in fact that theschool hopes to hold one of these dances at the conclusion of each term.

The dances are social evenings and are planned for young students. Surely they are entitled to some pleasure since parents are invited to be present. ? In closing let “Nine Times Out of Teh” and E. Robinson remember the old saying that “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” Yours etc., Yvonne, Valerie, Pattie, Pamela, Anne, of the Fifths.

BRITAIN’S FOOD ALLOWANCE

Sir, —I think your correspondent errs in stating that Britain’s food allowance is “dictated” by Washington. Surely Britain is a willing member of the Food Allocation Board and is prepared to take her share of whatever food supplies are available in the light of the greatest need.

What concerns me, however is that such statements may cause voluntary donors of Food for Britain to desist from further effort under the impression that “Britain won’t get it anyway.” The annual report of the N.Z. Red Cross Society states in its summary of relief that the

following 'supplies of food were sent to Britain during the year: 3835 cases of food composed of such items as meat, malted milk, milk powder, jam, jellies, honey and barley sugar. Five crates cheese, two tons honey, one and a half tons malted milk, 771 food parcels, weighing 221bs each, and 32 cartons food approximate value, £24,902. This food had all gone to and been distributed in Britain and indeed at the time of the disastrous floods and blizards, in the late winter food from New Zealand was in the hands of the British Red Cross Society and was distributed immediately to sufferers. I sincerely hope helpers will not be scared off by your correspondents letters but will keep on sending food to a sorely-tried Britain. Yours etc., JANET E. WINSTONE, Hon Sec. Whakatane Red Cross Society. i