LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23963, 2 June 1943, Page 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Win the War First.— Charge of cowardice over pen name disallowed. In case, actionable. M.A.L.—Unless you can prove that the remarks were made by the person you mention you have no redress. FLATS Sir, —If the Government desires to tackle the housing problem it should commence with flats. In Ashburton some old but large houses. _ whose value if capitalised at a fair interest rate would be allowed to return no more than 30s weekly, have been subdivided into several sections, each fitted with a few primitive amenities, and now return to their owners up to £lO and more weekly. Why is it that the rent return from a house if let as a unit is subject to rent control, but when let by a few rooms at a time there seems to be no limit? In this town these flats are occupied by the wives of servicemen, and the motto seems to be “Skin, fleece, and slug while the going is good.” This is done by those who remain safely m civil life at the expense of servicemen.— Yours, etc., SLUG Ashburton, May 21, 1943. [Several cases of this nature had come before him and reductions in rentals had been obtained, said the representative of the Labour Department at Ashburton (Mr C. J. Brooks), when this letter was referred to him. He added that it was necessary for the complainants to sign a form authorising him to act for them. If anyone felt that he was paying excessive rental, Mr Brooks said, he would be pleased to act for him.] OYSTERS FOR AIR FORCE CAMPS Sir—Your issue of Friday stated that an appellant before the Armed Forces Appeal Board gave evidence that he supplied three Air Force camps near Christchurch with opened oysters. What are the W.A.A.F.’s for? Couldnt they open the oysters supplied to the camps? I understand W.A.A.F.s are employed on kitchen duties, and there should be no necessity for the Government to pay the extra price to the fish dealers for opened oysters (2d a dozen is the standard price charged m the fish shops for opened oysters). I may be treading on delicate ground—perhaps the Air Force potatoes are supplied by the contractors already peeled, and peas shelled, etc. . . Its a lively war - Zours, etc.. CURK)US May 31. 1943. DEERSTALKING ACCIDENTS Sir, —1 wish to comment on the inquest of a deerstalker who was shot at Culverden, a report of which appeared in to-day’s paper. I am a deershooter of nearly 11 years’ experience both for the Internal Affairs Department and individually. When I first started shooting, it was impressed on me never to shoot at an unseen object, no matter what one thought it was, and first of all to make sure. What is thought to be a deer may easily be one’s companion carrying a deer-hide on his shoulders. Along with all sportsmen, etc., I would like to see greater provision for safety while employed or sporting in the bush.—Yours, etc., JOFFRE A. THOMSON. Woodend, June 1, 1943. “ARIKI OF ARIKIS” Sir, —A copy of a letter I possess written by Hone Paratene Tamanuiaranga, M.P., dated January 10, 1870, shows that the bulk of the Ngai Tahu leaders, Matiaha Tiramorehu, Tame Tarawhata, Horomona Pohio, and others, were not in favour of the King movement. A long letter by the Hon. William Fox to the Hon, William Rolleston dated February 18, 1870, explains the presence in the Waikato of Taiaroa. I give extracts:—“ For it was Te Wherowhero, having heard of Taiaroa’s fame as a generous foe, who desired his representative to make terms with the English. He could not ask any northern chiefs to act as mediators as they were old enemies.” Pita Te Hori, Paori Taki, and Hore Kerei Taiaroa went to the Waikato as mediators at the Government’s expense. Other documentary evidence shows the King movement was not popular with the Ngai Tahu tribe.—Yours, etc., W, A. TAYLOR. June 1, 1943. THE MAORI PIGEON Sir,—Several letters have appeared in "The Press" lately, protesting against the idea of our native pigeon being interfered with. I shall not join them because it is unthinkable that such a bird should be so treated. Has it never occurred to anyone what a chance we have missed of giving the Maori Battalion a better treat by sending them our annual toll of grey ducks instead? This is also a New Zealand bird, and owes nothing to Acclimatisation Societies. Complaints have come in lately about its conduct, how it wakes some farmers up too early by its infernal quacking, and how sprouting grains have been pulled up by the more inquisitive to compare growths. All the shooting and collecting could have been done by soldiers (if willing), but if squads were stationed at the many feeding ponds, farmers should certainly have been reimbursed for the good grain they heaved in.—Yours, etc., T.A S June 1, 1943, ARMED FORCES APPEALS Sir,—The remarks made by Mr Lee. as reported in "The Press” of Friday, about business firms hanging on to grade 1 men makes one wonder why Mr Lee did not specially mention Government departments in Canterbury in this connexion, as most of them are the greatest offenders, the only outstanding exception being the Post Office. Mr Lee’s remarks about married men with children going into camp while single men are being appealed for clearly indicates that something is wrong.— Yours, etc., ONLOOKER. May 31, 1943. PENNIES Sir,—My first letter was an appeal to hoarders of small change. The banking system, the depression, and currency, have been introduced by your other correspondents, and I have no intention of discussing these matters. However, my object in writing seems to be partly achieved, for "Student” tells us the shortage of small coins is due to the fact that business houses and traders are holding them. Now I shall not be so embarrassed when I have to inform my customers that I am not able to fulfil their change requirements. “Student” and "C.V.H.” may be interested to know that approximately £2OOO of extra pennies have been put into circulation in Christchurch alone since Easter. It will be several months before the next shipment arrives. If they should not arrive, owing to enemy action, remorse or qualms of conscience will not pay for the resultant loss of life. Perhaps the pub-crawler who puts his pennies in a kerosene tin has no conscience.—Yours, etc., HARASSED TELLER. May 31. 1943. [This correspondence is now closed. — Ed., “The Press.”]