PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 119, Issue 19892, 22 May 1936, Page 9

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondents, whose letters are welcome, but for whose views we have no responsibility. Correspondents are requested to write in ink. It is essential that anonymous writers enclose their proper names as a guarantee of good faith. Unless this rule Is complied with, their letters will not appear.

GOVERNMENT POLICY. (To the Editor.) Sir, —Numerous people are curious as to what the social creditor thinks of the present policy of the Labour Government. As one who supported the present Administration at the last election, solely because of their financial policy, the time may arise when it will be necessary to diverge from the programme that the party inpower lays down from time to time. In following the debates upon the Bills before the House it looks as if this time has now arrived. The guaranteed price is upon the wrong basis. The 40-hour week is premature, and is any elector to sit still and see the wrong road being taken and to keep his mouth shut? There is a difference between opposing the party in power to cause their defeat and opposing them in order to help them. The Prime Minister asks for. co-operation and help, and it is necessary to point out where they are wrong to put them right, and so assist them to carry out a policy beneficial to the country.—l am, etc., NEW ECONOMIST. Hamilton, May 21. NATIVE LAND CUSTOMS.

THE WELFARE LEAGUE. (To the Editor.) Sir, —We have noted Mr Holmes’s change of the heading of this discussion and also his opinions of the League. It is curious how discussion on monetary matters nearly always ends up by the would-be reformer abusing liis opponent. This is such a common experience that his letter has caused no surprise. The possibility of an honest opinion, contrary to his own, does not seem to have occurred to him. Mr Holmes refers to the “common people” as being of no interest to the League. But our opinion is that the welfare of the small man, the wage and salary earners, etc., is more bound up with the welfare of the community than that of the other much smaller section. An error in major policy hits these people far harder than it hits the small wealthy class. —We are, etc., N.Z. WELFARE LEAGUE. Wellington, May 20.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Mr E. M. Masters, in a recent letter, told us that the man who asked the question at Morrinsville in respect of Northern Nigeria did not accept the explanation that it was not feasible to transfer native populations from one area to another, owing, among other things, to tribal customs. Well, of course, every man has freedom of acceptance or rejection of -statements, but all the historical facts I have noted support the explanation given. For example, I am now reading “Land Problems of the New Zealand Settlers of the Forties,” by Mrs E. Wilson Wilson, M.A., and I find this — “Quite apart from the encroachment of Europeans on their lands, the natives resented with greatest jealousy tlie invasion of each other’s boundaries. This the later colonists did not realise, but the early settlers had had time to learn and respect it.”

Disregard of such land customs had most to do with the occurrences of tlie Maori War. Similar unwritten laws obtained with the Redskins and other native peoples. But whatever the facts may be in respect of the natives in question, I am personally satisfied that the only sound solution of these problems is to hold the land as the common heritage of the whole of the people, irrespective of colour or creed, private possession being given on a rental basis, with the raw materials on royalties. The rental basis puts every man on an equal footing, and as this is ultimately fixed by Its market value, the land automatically goes to those best qualified to make the most effective use of it, and this Is the only real “usehold” that squares with natural justice, and therefore with scientific economics.—l am, etc., t. e. McMillan. Matamata, May 20. TOWN HALL AND GARDEN PLACE. (To the Editor.) Sir, —There was in your paper lately a -suggestion for a town hall, and I for one believe it is long overdue. We have a population of over 18,000, and soon will no longer be a town, but a city, as I believe 20,000 is the number of population to be classed as a city; and what good is a city without a town hall? One glimpse of Hamilton is enough to show that all available sections suitable for a hall are just about taken up. A hall should be as near the centre of the town as possible, and also all municipal buildings, post office, etc. We have them scattered all over the town, but now the postal authorities are going to build a new post office where the old courthouse stands, and, to my way of thinking, rightly so, as that is the only site left. Now’ for the much-disputed Garden Place. There is no need for all this talk of £70,000 for its removal at all. It can be made a beauty spot for half that sum. This town wants an art gallery and museum, and the place for them is on this much-abused hill, with a (terraced frontage. Perhaps some of the hill would need to he removed, but not all. Seeing there is no other central -potation, may 1 suggest the town hall and these two be combined? Then they would be an asset to the town. Tourists would have more to do than walk the round of the Lake, Ferry Bank and Memorial Park. If we had an art gallery and museum one would go and see the two, and 6d to go in would lie Is from eacli visitor. There would be some return on llic money spent, and a landscape gardener could be paid a good wage for keeping up the name of tiie hill— Garden Place Hill. I would refer readers, as well as members ol‘ the Borough Council, to Wanganui, with its art gallery and museum oil a hill. 1 spent a good couple of hours there, and why should not people do the same here? A town hull would not be out of ihc way there either. A little exercise is good for one, and llie hill could have a good deal of its steepness taken off. 1 think that all this talk of congestion in regard lo traffic is only a blind to the public. Why not widen the cutting in Anglesea Street another 12 feci to .15 feet? There is abundance of room for traffic and parking area galore in some of the hack -streets, only our council has no way of controlling the traffic. If the hill were removed, Alexandra Street would only be a narrow street to Ward Street, and traffic congestion would be used for some oilier scheme in twenty years’ time. It. is no worse than Manners Street and oilier streets in Wellington. and they manage there, so we can here.—l am, etc., AN EYE FDR BEAUTY. Hamilton, May 20.

ALSATIAN DOGS. (To the Editor.) ’Sir,- —In reply to “Aztec’s” letter ot May 18 I would like to ask him one or two Questions. In the llrst place, has he ever owned and trained an Alsatian; secondly, has lie ever been bitten by one; if so, wliat was lie doing: to it; and, thirdly, has he ever investigated the case of anyone whom he states has been torn to bits by one? I would like him to remember there are two sides to every question, and nine times out of ten the animals have been tormented or subjected lo abuse which no dog could be expected to stand. I have owned and bred Alsatians for years, and have handled hundreds, even when hurt (when they should be savage). In fact, I do not suppose anyone in the Waikato has handled more; yet 1 have never been bitten by one. I have been farming for years, with these dogs doing all the work, and have had as many as six at a time on the place who never knew collar or chain, except at night. If “Aztec” asks any of my neighbours the reply would be: “They never left home,” simply because they were well treated, not ill-treated or 'starved. 1 Any dog will worry if starved, and none is worse than an old cattle dog, a foxie, or a greyhound;-but, of course, unless an Alsatian is the culprit no one takes any notice.

With regard to children, there are no dogs better tempered with them, and my kiddies 6an even take meat away from them—a thing few dogs will permit. In conclusion, I would say that the legislation referred to by "Aztec” will not protect his skin, as it only affects tlie worker, as usual. The big man can still pay taxes, and these are usually the ones who let the dogs ' roam. The working man keeps his j dog as a pet, under control, and well | fed, thinking of its well-being before ills own. I know of cases where the worker, coming home tired and hungry, will feed and exercise his dogs before having his own meal. These are the people who should have dogs, whom "Azteo” and others seek to deprive of their hobbles and freedom.—l am, etc., FAIR PLAY TO ALSATIANS. Franlcton, May 21. (To the Editor.) Sir, —Will you kindly grant me space in your widely-read paper, in ! fairness to the Alsatian dog question and in answer to "Aztec’s” letter of ; May 19? i First of all, he should be treated as I all anonymous letter writers should ;be; but there are some facts which 1 i am ready to prove at any time. | The Alsatian dog is the most popu--1 lar dog of tlie world, and can be | found in the homes of all classes. His Majesty King Edward owns Claus ! of Seale, an Alsatian who lias won many prizes. His Majesty is not the 1 only member of the Royal Family to own an Alsatian. Their Royal Highj nesses Prince Henry and Prince George each own one. The Alsatian is the most intelligent of all the canines, and the most faithful. He is used all over the world as a police dog, and on the films -such dogs as I Rin Tin Tin, Greatheart and Peter the j Great are household words, j The latest innovation is the blind- : leading movement, on behalf of which !a‘ broadcast appeal was made over | the wireless at Home by Mr Christopher Stone, and realised more than £750. The training for leading the blind is a long and costly business. : It costs about £BO to train each dog, | but when trained they are absolutely ! reliable, and several blind men now ! possess trained Alsatians to lead them •about, and this is done with perfect j safety through crowds and traffic. • The Alsatian shows especial aptitude | for tins type of work, and tiie humani- ! larian aspect of it lias increased tlie : popularity enjoyed by this versatile ibreed. I I have bred and trained Alsatians ! for many year*, and I can claim an i absolute knowledge of the breed. 1 never have had any trouble with them, i For "Aztec’s” information 1 say that 1 ihexAlsatian Bill is not passed, and j is never likely to be in tlie form that I it is before the House. But 1 do say, ! let there bo legislation that no one j shall be allowed to own any clog of any sort if lie or -she cannot feed and | properly house it. Dogs that are Half-starved and let run loose at night ! *110111(1 bo dealt with by the aulhorij ties. Also all dogs in a borough or town, oil tlie public roads should be on la leash. Before "Aztec” rushes into I print, let him be sure of liis facts. 1 am now quoting Sir Frederick liability, C.M.G., Principal and Dean of tlie Royal Veterinary College of London; Major Hamilton Kirk, one of tlie most prominent veterinary surgeons of the world; and Mr \Y. P. Pycraft, a leading authority- on the breed. They say that there is no wolf blood in tho Alsatian of to-day. There is far greater ganger to woman and children than the Alsatian, and Ihal is a hull on the public road. Often tlie drover is 50 or 100 yards away. What elumee has he lo control a wild or angrv bull? If legislation is required for the protection of women and children, then pass a law that ever> Dull mi the loe.f mi public road should be led by a slick and , aiiup-Jiouk attached lu a ring in liis

nose. This Is done in other countries, and I am assured by the Prime Minister, the Right Hon. M. J. Savage, that he will give this his earnest consideration. Now let "Aztec” come out in the open. I doubt that he has ever had any personal knowledge of Alsatians, and, as Mr L. S. Andersen said in his letter of May 20, I should very much like to meet him. —I am, etc., G. W. MARTIN. Frankton, May 21.