CORRESPONDENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 August 1916, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

STKATFOIiD'S LIGHTING SCIIESIK. To the Editor. Sir—lt lnu been brought to my notice that various fake reports rt^ju-ci.iitiu; pov-iljility »f tile Council increasing the price ot current ill the event of taking over tin l Company's undertaking are in -eircuLitioii in 11m borough. Jt has been siiid that the price will be increased to Is pur unit. I wish to give this report an unqualified denial, and would ask ratepayers to reserve their judgment on this important matter until the position is placed before them in the Town Hall oil 'Friday, ISth inst., particulars of which will be duly advertised.— 1 am, etc. .10S. \V. BOON, Mayor. ENCOURAGEMENT?. To the Editoi.

Sir, —At the annual meeting of' the Ngamotu Foreshore Committee one member commented on the fact that donations wero disappointingly small. Mr. D. J. Hughes also mentioned the fact that although lie had sent out a few hundred circulars appealing for support in connection with the formation of a Taranaki centre of the lioval Life-Sav-ing Society, he had received few replies, and the majority of these were from ladies. If one were to reflect for a moment one would conclude that those who might assist are lacking the usual method of courtesy and are too busy raking in the dollars and keeping an eye on samo to allow them to devote any time or assistance to matters of moment, and which, if ably backed up by practical support, will prove of the greatest value to the town and province. Unfortunately it has been the' practice from time immemorial for towns to have a certain class of population who absolutely decline to take any part in the control or guidance of the town. That this is so at the present moment cannot be denied, lien of leisure and undoubted experience have tired of the eternal work of financing and scheming of ways and means to assist in the betterment of the town. ' They recognised that each improvement was an asset of value to the immediate neighborhood, but there comes a time when, they tire of their onerous, and often thankless, task of endeavoring to get the public to back them up in a practical manner. At the present moment the Ngamotu Committee are interested in a scheme that, if accomplished,,must count much to make the town attractive. Those, resident hero recognise the beauties of the town and district, but the committee are enterprising enough to recognise that the foreshore can be made much more attractive and inviting to the casual visitor and the week-ender, (liven the inducement, these visitors may • become permanent residents, and help to build up the population for whom we have ample space. But it is not right that the burden of financing and building up or these future beauty spots should be left to the few. Bather, now is the time when everyone should give encouragement to any scheme brought forward ■beneficial to future generations. It is apparent that New Plymouth possesses many ambitious men who are ever ready to do their best in the public interest, and tangible results of their efforts are shown in the Pukekura Park, Kav/aroa Park and the East End. AH things considered, they have done remarkably well, but much more remains to be accomplished, and those who are anxious to make Ngamotu an asset of the greatest value should receive practical support. The committee gain nothing directly from their efforts, but their enthusiasm is to be commended, and if brought to a successful issue should have far-reaching results. A strong

aiul energetic body are. at the head of affairs, and if they can galvanise some activity into others who at present can, hut decidedly do not, assist, then their efforts wi! l be considerably lightened. To those genuinely sympathetic, they will need no seeking, lint the indifferent man and the man who prospers at the expense and energy of others should also be reached. Ne.w Plymouth has reached that stage when aciivitv counts. Wo have the"men and al=r, the money, and what is lacking is the push. Can the committee start the push? 1 believe they can.—l am, etc., CENTRAL. NOT A PROHIBITIONIST! To the Editor. Kir, —Of course" I read the Daily News, and this morning I read that ''regulations are being prepared under the War Regulations Act which will impose absolute prohibition on women entering and being served with liquor in hotel bars," but I also read Hansard and am struck with this reiterated statement by various members of Parliament: "I am not a prohibitionist." Now, Sir, {he majority of the Cabinet and the majority of the M.lVs would say that and yet'

they are now prohibiting women and that absolutely so far as the hotel liars are concerned. Why, the confessed prohibitionists only ask that, without discriminating against women in particular. They are all prohibitionists when it does not'touch their own appetites or pockets. They have learned enough from all that the temperance pcopie have been showing for the last half century to know that the use of intoxicating drinks is not necessary, and that it is an economic waste or worse. Parliament is not in session, or it would be a fine opportunity for Mr. Malcolm or Mr. Issit to speak in defence of female privileges and to ask why women should bo prohibited and not men. I can understand why they (our awakening legislators) prohibit minors whilst allowing others to imbibe; but why exclude women from the bars? They, too, may lit taken faint or thirsty while in the street and think they need some beer; or may wish to have a friendly glass with Mrs. Neighbor-not shouting, but each'paying for her own—or may want a small flask to take home and keep on hand just as emergency in case of heart-failure—-why, even some prohibitionists do that, I am told— or for outward application, and yet the woman is to be prohibited and hot the man. However, I have got more light at last. After reading the Dailv News and Hansard 1 took up that standard work ''Alcohol and the Human Body," by Sir Victor Horsiey and Dr. Mary Sturgc, and I see there that alcoholic liquor is especially bad For women (page fifth edition), and also that it is a peculiar temptation to them owing to their generally in-door habits and fashionable dress (page lOli). And so it occurs to me that perhaps Mr. Massev and his colleagues have got more light about, alcohol from the same source; aiul have sit once determined to pvotec women, even from themselves, and prohibit them- what a lot of prohibited persons! Really, our ministers are pr hihit:onist«, and I ought to praise them. How rer.'ly we are to find fault where we ought to commend I If my surmise be correct, I beg Mr. Massey's pardon for all my suspicions that he was not it prohibitionist (so far as women are j concerned).—J am. etc.. GEO. H. MAUNDER.