THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 1920. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 2 August 1920, Page 2

THE OTAKI MAIL. Published on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. MONDAY, AUGUST 2, 1920. EDITORIAL NOTES.

Otaki Peace Memorial. The public will be pleased to know that the Peace Memorial Committee is taking active step- to have the site for the memorial cleared and put in order. We notice that the public have been invited to make donations of trees. ei,e. ; for planting the section, and that a local gentleman has kindly consented to plan the laying-nut of the site. We would urge on the committee the necessity of working systematically in this matter, in accordance with a proper plan. If gift- of any sort of trees, shrubs, etc., are to be received and these planted, the ground may become of a somewhat patchwork nature. With all due deference to the gentleman who has been approached, whose services will be of very great .a*instance to the committee, we consider /hat, in a matter of this kind, it W£>uld be wise instruct the very best professional landscape gardener available in New Zealand to prepare a pi;-' of the proposed work be:ore anything whatever of a permanent nature is Coac. There are professional tren w bo have had wide experience in laying os" landscape gardens xod desigaiag nubile memorials, and we v urg-. the Iona! committee to secure the carstance. It may coot a little more, but tbit memorial should he a worthy out. that will be a credit to the town, uni district, g.nd a few pounds expended is

, tins mailer in the first instance should . not be grudged. Once a proper plan is * approved, the committee can get to } work to carry out the scheme, which 1 might be completed in sections, accord- { ing o the means at their disposal.'The j site secured is an admirable one, centrally situated, and, with proper care, could be transformed info a place of beauty and utility, and serve as a magnificent memorial to our fallen soldiers. VThe thing is worth doing well, if at I all, and we hope that the committee will act on our suggestion. Increased Telephone Tecs. ,The increased charges in telephone fees, which came into force to day, have roused adverse criticism, and the increases are most unpopular. Not only have all subscriptions been raised by one pound per annum, but an increase of 5s per quarter mile for lines ex tending beyond the maximum distances lor which the initial rate is charged has also been imposed, while the regular toll fees have been very subI Ajantially increased. It seems to us I That the increased toll fees alone ! might well have met the position, In these days telephones arc regarded as j necessities, not luxuries, and the effect ■j of the increases will mean that a great - many users will have to discontinue 1 their subscriptions, at very great peri sonal inconvenience, or else have to pay a fee which is an unfair strain on I their resources. The increase ou longI distance connections is specially objec- | tionabie, ns this has the effect of iuI Hiding undue hardship on country , settlers living in isolated parts. AVe | Lave always contended that backblock settlers and residents in the out-of-the-way places should be entitled to . special consideration. In these days there is a trend to the cities that, is not for the advancement and benefit of the country as a whole, and those people who have grit and courage • enough to tackle the back-blocks should receive every encouragement. To such people the telephone is a veritable Ciod-sund, and the termshould be made as easy as possible, to enable such to have the advantages of the ’phone. It seems to ns that the increase in the charges is a tactical blunder, for one effect will certainly be a falling-oil of subscribers, and a consequent decrease in fees, thus de- . feating the object of the Department in making the change. This is a matter of such great importance to our district that we would suggest that a protest should be made. The local bodies and other organisations throughout the district might well take up the matter, and make representations to the Department. Domestic Servants , Problem. There was recently organised in Wellington a body known as Ihe “Household Orderlies’ Association.’’ To quote from a circular issued by the Association (primed in full on our fourth page of this issue), “the object of the scheme is to make fair working conditions for domestic workers and their employers, together with a congenial community life for workers.” i he Association seeks to make the conditions of household work more congenial to those engaged in it, to give them reasonable working hours, a good "age, and a comfortable hostel in which to live. In other words, the Association is really a domestics’ union. In ail probability some of the regulations will need amendment, but. . on the whole, the movement is an excellent one, on right lines, that should do a great deal to break down the prejudice against young women taking up household duties, and raise tiie tone of what should be one of the most popular walks of life for young women. If the scheme succeeds in these directions. and can supply the ever-growing and unsatisfied demand for assistance in the homes, it will be doing a magniticent work. The project has been , taken up by many of the foremost ladie- in AA'ellington, who are devoting much care and attention to the matter. The working of the proposal is being watched with great interest throughout New Zealand, and should it prove successful similar organisations will at once be established in the chief centres;. AVe wish the project all success. gg !! ■■■