Public Opinion.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 297, 18 July 1929, Page 5

Public Opinion.

(A COLUMN FOR THE PEOPLE) “ A REGRETTABLE ACTION.” (To the Editor) Sir, —I do not propose to play hide and seek with you in the maze you seek to create to cover up what 1 originally complained of, viz., a coloured report (the main points being omitted) and the slur you, perhaps unwittingly, cast on members, but in a final note would refer to three statements you make in your second editorial on this subject.

1. The fact of two members giving personal donations is beside the point. It is the whole point so far as the slur is concerned could you but see it. These two were generous with their own money: I could also enumerate other well-known attributes such as making a practice of giving groceries in cases of hardship, assisting young fellows in business, and so on, yet these givers of their own are the men you purposely go out of your way, after being present at the debate, to suggest might have been acting from reasons of economy when they unanimously decided not to give other people’s money away. This is the slur which I, as chairman of the board, deemed it my duty to answer on their behalf. Had you given them credit for their viewpoint and then gone on to constructively suggest another course of action, there would have been no cause for complaint, but purely destructive criticism, with a gratuitous insult, however unintentional, thrown in, compelled a reply.

2. In regard to the final paragraph, I note you absolve the chair.nan from “ saying anything in that direction,” but of necessity the inference is there else you would no; surely have mixed up a paragraph on the aims and objects of the Press with the present discussion, but would have devoted a sub-leader to it.

On my part, I should like to state that so long as I am chairman of the Putaruru Town Board I shall always welcome constructive criticism (please note the adjective) and pay it the closest attention, and do not in any way expect or desire favoured reatment. Warped reports and destructive leaders, however, may, during the same period, be expected to draw some heavy artillery. 3. “We sincerely hope -for our common humanity’s sake that the chairman’s [or board’s?—l think it was unanimous] ideas in matters of this sort will never find common acceptance.”

My views I have stated quite plainly ; your own we can only guess at. Mine are : When a national calamity occurs the Government ought automatically to bear the cost of succouring and rehabilitating the distressed.

Those who have had loved ones torn from them and their homes wrecked by such an upheaval should be spared the additional mental anguish of wondering when a Government is going to move or how much will be raised by indiscriminate giving. To oppose this simply to promote “ the spirit that one touch of human nature makes the whole world kin ” is to my mind only writing nauseating sentiment, the injustice of which breeds Bolshevism. There is ample opportunity every day to promote kinship, and, as I have shown, it does not need an earthquake to stir this feeling to action in the men you, perhaps unwittingly, slurred.—l am, etc.,

G. GTLMORE GR T FFITHS, Chairman, Putaruru Town Board