LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 15, Issue 49, 21 November 1921, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

A COMPLAINT Sir,—l have read "One Camp’s” explanation of the .exhibition of "roughhouse” given by some,of tho Territorials. Tho explanation he gives is certainly weak. He states that the men went to tho address because it was a compulsory parade, and that if they had gone as civilians they might have paid attention. From what 1 have seen of military training it is a good thing if it only keeps the class of rough who makes it his business to interrupt anything he cannot understand off the streets.

Those who interrupted would.not have gono had they been in "civvies.” Their usual haunt is outside a picture show, passing remarks < about girls. Ho remarks that there is a lack of interest in anything military. Can he inform me why the boys will iurn out in full force to attend a voluntary church parade? Of course there are always some who moan about tho discipline, but these are as a rule the heroes of window-smashing episodes. It is all rot to say that. because tho men were in uniform they made fools of themselves. "One Camp” can take it from me that a fim or two “slipped up their sleeves” would have quite a good effect on some of his friends. We all know that tho drill has .to be done, and the only thing to do is to get down and pull with the mob. A growler does more hard work trying to dodge than he does on the parade ground. I am at present parading with a battery who drill every week, put in a few half-day parades, and turn out to any ceremonial parade they are asked to. Besides tho n.c.o.’s, there are quite a number of men who willingly put ifi an extra night to get instruction. You may be sure that these are not the sort who yell at meetirigs! They want to be the best battery in New Zealand. —I am., etc., GUNNER. November 19, 1921.

THE PRICE OF MILK Sir, —I have been expecting for some time now just such a moaning as appeared in your columns on November 15 regarding the price of, milk to the people of AVellington. The business man (so-called) follows the usual course of using only half truths in decrying the methods used by the daily farmer in robbing the consumers of milk. Now, let us 'have some cold facts from my last month’s returns.

I received for my milk, showing a 4 per cent, test, lid. per gallon less freight, plus (vide City. Council’s statement) 10 per cent, hefd back, making a total of Is. per gallon at the •lenot doors. On this milk the council takes a "rake off" of Is. Id., and the vendors 7d.. per gallon before it reaches the public at 2s. Bfl. Now, for the three winter months 1 am to receive 2s. per gallon, less freight, which leaves tho council only I<l. per gallon for that period. Equalised, this means 10d. for the council all tho year round. These facts need no further amp’ification to show why the people have to pay such an exorbitant price to-day. The City Council is at last adopting a sound jolicy in the purchase of milk, especially the winter supply. Winter milking is not a pleasant or verv profitable task, all tilings considered. Before railing against the price paid farmers it is up to ’Business Man" 'to find ways and means of reducing the cost of treatment and distribution and so save the city people the thousands of pounds they are now losing.—l am, etc., DAIRY FARMER.