LETTERS TO EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 58, 2 December 1926, Page 12

LETTERS TO EDITOR

THE CITY’S AFFAIRS DOWN WITH THE DICTATORS. Sir, —I have read the letter of “Fairplay” in your columns. Let me say that I admire the name he has chosen —fairplay by all means. It is right that the dictation of the Civic League and others should be put a stop to at once. What right has this league to choose its own candidate? By doing so it may influence other people, aud such dictation, cannot be allowed. I go further and ask, what right has anybody to choose a candidate? The action of the Cmo League, of Mr. John Hutchison, the city councillors and others, who have selected Mr. Norward as a candidate, is all dictation, as reprehensible as the evil action of the Civic League. I maintain that no one should be allowed to choose or select a Mayoral candidate but the Major himself, and, even then, I am hot sure it is fully right. However, I will concede this much, that the Mayor and councillors should be allowed to select themselves on condition that everybody else is excluded. See how this would simplify matters. The Civic League would be shut out. So would Messrs. H. D. Bennett. J. Hutchison and company. There would be no more nagging, no more writing or talk Everything would be peaceful as the grave. I know the law requires at present that candidates must be nominated before an election takes place. It is a bad lawnominating is choosing—this sets the seal of legality on the crime of dictation Is it not an interference with the secrecy of the ballot? It is time this law was amended, and the action of nominating or choosing a candidate made a punishable offence- Down with the dictators, I say.-I am,

COUNCILLOR BENNETT AND THE CIVIC LEAGUE

Str —“Observer” states that "Councillor H. D. Bennett must feel extremely flattered with the amount of attention he is receiving,” and then goes on to say “typical of the criticism which makes the successful business man reluctant to offer his services to pubno bodies, etc.” Only a few days ago H. D. Bennett was appealing to the newspapers to stop ’ irresponsible people bring shots at him, and now his friend states that he should feel extremely flattered at the attention he is receiving. If successful business men cannot render better services to the city than he has done during the past few years they had better leave the city s affairs alone, because I am quite sure that "Miss New Zealand" and her Maid of Honour would not make such ghastly blunders as some of our city councillors have done ouite recently. Councillor H. D. Bennett boasted some time ago that there would be no investigation into the city’s affairs by an outside tribunal while he was in the connml As this has been one of the major blanks in the Civic League s platform t 'nr some considerable time and as our friend has succeeded in modifying the lenrrue’s nolicv on more than one occasion. his inability now to sway the Civic League may account for his declaration of war against that body. Mr. Hart. our new engineer, stated that Wellington wept on his arrival here. I venture to predict that he himself will do something very like this as soon as he gets n rriun of some of our. civic affairs narticulnrlv some of those Hint Councillor IT. D. Bennett, chairman of the Works Committee must share reSponsil> W%TUAßT WttSON.

PRODUCERS’ PROBLEMS‘‘PRICE FIXING”

Sir—ln'your issue of November 20 Mr. Bodlev takes exception to the concluding portion of my letter appearing in your columns on November 19. A« my questions are not referred to there would be no need for a reply except for the insinuation that I have not followed the discussion in your columns and have therefore based my, criticisms on wrong premises. As a producer I took strong exception to the unwarranted interference by a section of the dairy produce trade at Home m what is purely a matter for the board to decide. I read both the Prime Minister’s and Mr. Patterson’s cables carefully and they both urged the dismissal of the board’s London manager. Unless Mr. Bodley has other or exclusive information, Mr. Wright still retains his position and the confidence, of the board, therefore my commendation was fully justified. If Mr.. Bodley viewed the activities and policies of the board with less jaundiced eyes he would more fully appreciate the facts. lam surprised at the Prime Minister’s attitude m London, especially as hitherto he has repudiated any interference by the Government in the functioning of the board. Mr. Patterson’s action is more understandable, but under the circumstances his membership of the board is quite “Gilbertian," and the Dean of St. Paul 8 quotation is very apropos, “It .is futile for the sheep to pass -eSblutions in favour of vegetarianism while the wolf continues to hold contrary opinions.”— I am, etc ” <}RnrSDALE ANDERSON. Pelorus, November 24, 1926.

RE REV. HOWARD ELLIOTTS CHARGES Sir,—l am pleased to note that the short epistle of mine on the above subject which you were good enough to publish found favour with “Bonnie Play-” I really think that the Minister of Justice should do as my friend suggests, and publi-h a list of the prisoners who have been dealt with by the Prisons Board, and then the public can judge for themselves and see if the "scales of justice have been fairly poised. ’ The t inquiry just held was, in my opinion, just throwing dust in the eyes of the public, and an awfu* waste of rood siller.—l am, ug MACPHERSON.

NEW ZEALAND’S CARE OF CHILDREN * Sir —ln your issue of to-day an item of cabled news states that “Mr. Coates (in London) said New Zealand was making great strides towards the ideal management, control and care of chilIq furtherance of this pronouncement may I suggest that the Wellington educational authorities provide a school bus to collect youngsters in such places at the Houghton Valley to convey them to a near school, returning them te their homes after the afternoon session? This has been done in rural districts in England for many years, and if adopted out here would be a great boom to both children and parents.—l am etu ” JAMES REEVE. Island Bay, November 29, 1926.

SALVATION- ARMY CHRISTMAS CHEER Sir, —Will you please permit me, in view of the early approach of Christmas, to make an appeal to your readers to aid the Salvation Army in bringing relief, comfott, and some joy to the homes of many needy families, illhealth, unemployment, and other troubles frequently make it impossible for quite a number to put by any provision such as would help them and be a ble-sing to the children at this festive season. Our officers constantly -isit such homes, and know how real the need is. In addition to these the very large number constantly ministered to in our social institutions have some special claim at this time of kindness and good-will. Donations or goods will be gratefully received by me at the National Headquarters, Cuba Street, Wellington.—l am, etc., . , JAMFS HAY,