OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

Wairarapa Times-Age, 26 February 1943, Page 2

OTHER PEOPLE’S IDEAS

~ COMMUNITY AFFAIRS (To the Editor.) Sir,—l consider the time has arrived (in fact it is long past due) when we should create a body of responsible citizens to study and advise upon matters of importance to the community. At one time we had a Chamber of Commerce, but it seems to have died a natural death! Should we not revive this body, and bring into,its ranks representatives of every section of the community, or failing that, create a Progress League, Ratepayers Association or Citizens’ Association? It doesn’t matter much what we call it. Discussion of politics or viligious subjects should not be permitted. At the present time there are many matters of vital importance which should receive consideration, namely:— (a) The study of the Mayor’s recommendations for street widening and town planning. (b) Earthquake repairs. (c) Relief from the Departmental ruling which defines earthquake repairs as capital expenditure, and precludes taxpayers from treating any portion of such expenditure as a deduction from taxable income.—Yours, etc., •’ J. H. CUNNINGHAM. Masterton, February 25. YOUTHS -IN CAMP (To the Editor.) Sir,—l should like to take this opportunity of thanking you for your leader in last night’s paper, and also for articles in previous issues, when you have so perseveringly and outspokenly fought the cause of those neglected 18-21-year-old youths in camp. If the Government at last awakens to the dreadful injustice which has been meted out to these lads, I should like to feel that our local paper, has in some measure, contributed to that awakening. The only fair and reasonable course to take is to return these youths to civil life for a period to give them an opportunity to prepare themselves for their future careers and good citizenship. Then when they are called upon to defend their country they will do so with greater zeal and deeper pride, realising that their country has done something for them. Given a spell from the demoralising and deadening influence of camp life, these lads will make more efficient and dependable soldiers when required. The Government must act and act quickly to redeem the position of these youths, some of whom have already had nearly two years in camp and who are fast approaching the overseas age. If, as was stated yesterday, the Government intends to call up no further youths for the time being, that is a good start, but they must act now to remove the very grave hardships imposed on the 1941, 1942 18-year-olds. It appears to me that this age group has been called upon to carry a war burden disproportionate to that carried by the rest of the community—l am, Sir, “VERY CONCERNED.” Masterton, February 25.