LETTERS TO EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 129, 29 February 1928, Page 12

LETTERS TO EDITOR

THE NEW WAR MEMORIAL SITE

Sir,—The poor memorial—the money for it took quite a while to raise, and a site, and a very good site, was chosen by the committee after getting the best atlviie possible. An adjudicator was chosen by the New Zealand Institute of Architects, Mr. Gummer. his advice aid judgment naturally being accepted and being thoroughly appreciated by the impartial laymen. Is it now the intention of Mr. Hurst Seager to convert it into a grandstand for the Basin lieserve? Why did they not do this some years ago, and then I need not have paid to see the Australian match. No, Sir, I am still of the opiiion, in spite of the misleading photographs produced, that the present site is still far and away the best site.—l am, etc., NO IKONS. Wellington, February 20.

Sir,—Miny citizens, amongst which I include .nyself, who are taking a keen interest in the location of the war memorial, must have received a rude shock when they read the report of the meeting held yesterday afternoon. I fee.' that ths question of suitability has be<n overcome by the spirit and determination .to secure the site outside the Ihrliamentary Buildings at all costs. It is not a question of sentiment but »ne solely of suitability, and in reading the names of those present at the ueeting I was more astonished than ever that they had taken such a step without any reference to their professional advisers, including the architects tor the design. It is evident to anyone with an artistic spirit that such a minunient should not be erected in the position desired by the committee. It is most unsuitable and dominates the vew to and from the Houses of Pai:liiment. I have personally always held tie view that the Parliamentary site is unsuitable, whereas the proposed new s.te is eminently suitable. Judging from the remarks passed at tic meeting one gleans the impression that tlie question of the Basin lleservo site agams- the Parliamentary site has Icen previously discussed and turned town. 'This is not so. They have not filtered into competition one with the »ther until now. It is to be regretted flint in making a previous report Mr. Hurst Seager failed to visualise the benefits of the Basin Reserve site. As an expert town planner this was a serious error on his part, and the arguments he now puts forward are no doubt responsible for some of the criticism now being levelled by the committee against the proposal. I am afraid that the committee’s view was a personal and biased one. and it is hoped that it will he discounted by all fair-minded people in the endeavour to attain a permanent result that will not in the future interfere with the possibilities that may be demanded in the Parliamentary site. 1 wish, as an architect, to make an earnest appeal to the committee io reconsider the matter after having consulted their professional advisers and the architects concerned, 'lliis is only due to the ninny subscribers to the fund who will be amongst those mostly disapjxfinted when they realise the mistake of the committee in turning down the new proposal without a proper consultation with those who are able to judge.—l am. etc., SCT'BTTUA A SITU. Wellington, February 17.

WORKLESS TEACHERS AND UNTAUGHT CHILDREN Sir.—l make the following suggestion for the partiiii solution of the abovenamed problem. m every large school there is necessarily a certain amount of sickness amongst the various members of the staff, with the result that classes are left for two or three days at a time without teachers. The departmental regulation is to the effect that, unless a teacher is absent or is likely to be absent for at least a week, no re’ieving teacher may be sent out. In my school I find that first one teacher is away, and then another, on account of influenza or severe cclds. This kind of thing, added to the frequent charges of staff, of which complaint is being made, is rendering the efficient running of the school by the headmaster an almost impossible task. I suggest that in every large school at a temporary measure for the employment of workless teachers, a stirerrunierary teacher be added to the staff 'n take charge immediately of classes the teachers of which are away on account, of illness. Extra ‘enebers were, ns a matter of fact, appointed to the staffs of large schools during Mr. Parr’s regime, but these wore withdrawn immediately that Mr. Parr laid down his portfolio. If mv suggestion is considered impracticable, then these workless teachers might be given a day or two’s work, wherever the ordinary class teachers are away. J believe it is considered in New Zealand that the working man has a right to work. Work is, in many eases, given to the labourer, even though the work to which he is put hardly returns the amount' of his wages. In the case of these teachers, there is «. crying need for their services, and yet employment cannot be found for them. The statement that they are nut of work because they refuse the work that is offered to them, is nn attempt to cover up the true position. The teachers who refuse work in the country constitute an almost negligible minority. Let. the Education Department announce that work will be found for all workless teachers, provided they go where their servicer, are needed, nn<t f heliere every rightthinking teacher will be satisfied. —I am. etc., HEADMASTER. Wellington. February 2t.

THE TORY STREET MILK SITE Sir.—Your report this morning of the conference with the Milk Committee over tlie eviction of tenants and Air. AV. 11. Bennett's altitude affords an opportunity to call “quo vadis” to the whole scheme of the change-over. The site is evidently not being chosen for its adaptability, nor its local economics, neither does it envision future requirements of milk handling. The funereal procession of fifty horse-drawn vehicles from the apex of Tory Street may bo an appeal to Air. W. IT. Bennett’s poetic spirit, but it won’t appeal to common sense. Pasteurising is an invidious expedient, a proved detriment, and an adventitious aid which will eventually be disallowed and pass away. The whole of the research of the present day is concentrated on milk transport, and, when that gets a very little stage further on, milk will be treated at the beginning of its career instead of the end of the journey to the user, and be used by the customer as nature and the instinct of human requirement calls for it, viz., as a living food. —I am. etc., HENRY BODLEiL Wellington, February 24.