THE OTAKI MAIL Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1919. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 24 September 1919, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 1919. EDITORIAL NOTES.

For the cause that lacks assistance, For the wrongs that need resistance, For the future in the distance, And the good that we can do.

Victory War Loan. A final reminder is given that applications for participation in the Victory War Loan, of ten millions sterling, close to-morrow. Everyone should do his or her best to assist with this loan. Victory has been assured our arms, but big financial responsibilities remain, which we must discharge. We have a duty to our soldiers, too, and a large portion of the Victory Loan is required for the payment, of soldiers' gratuities, treatment of sick and wounded, and for repatriation schemes. Surely such projects will have the hearty sympathy of all. Moreover, apart altogether from the sentimental point of view, the Loan affords an excellent opportunity for investment by those with means. Those taking up inscribed stock or bearer bonds will receive 4; per cent, free of income tax, while small investors by means of post ollicc inscribed stock or war certificates are paid 5 per cent interest, but these are not free of income tabc. It should also be borne in mind that the compulsory clauses of the Act. will be put into force, to compel those with means to subscribe a certain amount to the Loan, and the interest paid in such cases is only 3 per cent. It is to be hoped that the people of jNTew Zealand will, as in the ease of previous war loans.do their duty well, and that the amount required will be forthcoming.

"Bed Tape" v. Common Sense. An example of the extent to which "red tape" methods can be practised by Government Departments, and the results that accrue from a hard and fast enforcement of regulations, was furnished in Otaki this week. The Railway Department recently removed certain restrictions, and allowed the carriage of goods and live stock on the railways. Consequently it was permissible for racehorses competing at the Otaki races to be taken on the trains, but the officials refused to carry the youths in charge of the ijnimals. Seeing that those in charge of valuable racers always travel in the horse-boxes, and consequently no extra accommodation is required, by refusing permits to the horse attendants the Department was absolutely throwing away fares, which must surely be needed to help make up for some of the big losses sustained of late. Moreover, many horse owners refused to allow their horses to travel unattended, and consequently the railways lost the hor.-c----freighfs also. Such are the method. of our "red-tape" Railway Department 1

Musical and Elocutionary Competitions. The children's competitions held on Friday night last at Otaki, in connection with the Otaki Literary and Debating Club, were so remarkably successful that a number of prominent persons have mooted the idea of holding public musical and elocutionary competitions on a comprehensive scale. Such function'! are of a distinctly educational value. They tend to encourage the cultivation of the arts, to improve the minds of the children and adults. give them loftier ideals and nobler aspirations, and fill srfjnosi .useful parposa •in other trays. There is no reason whatever why Otaki and district should not have a stoat successful elocutionary and musical society, with. annual competition-, and it i* to he hoped that the present opportunity of establishing such a coarse— xiheu interest is warm vs. the subject—will not be passed, over. ■ '