PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20269, 11 August 1937, 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 com* plied with, their letters will not appear.

THE SESSION. (To the Editor.) Sir, —The opening l of the session of Parliament has been postponed until September 2. Is it not a fact that about five years ago the session was postponed until almost the end of September? And have there been times when a session opened at even later dates? —X am, eto., WAGER. Te Awamutu, August 9. [The session ol 1932-33 opened on September 22, but there had been an earlier short session that year, from February 23 to May 10. The session of 1921-22 opened on September 22. Those of 1909 and 1918 commenced In Ootober, but In each case there had been short sessions earlier in the year. —Ed. W.T.]

FARM COBT9. (To the Editor.) Sir, —In reply to “Watchful,” I think the ohalrman of Te Awamutu Dairy Company must be one of those fortunate people who got his land from the Maoris for very little. Surely one of the directors oould enlighten him on the compensated price, or are they all In the same position. It Is astounding that an Individual could made the assertion that farmers' costs have Increased by only one penny. In my own case the cost of labour alone amounts to a penny and three-sixteenths. —I am, etc.. ST. CLAIR. Ohaupo, August 8, THE GOVERNMENT’S REWARD. (To the Editor.) Sir, —“Pro Patrla,” In his letter, mentioned ‘‘the havoc” caused by the previous Governments, and argued that the Labour Administration could not be expected to clean It up in a few months. What havoc? The Government took over with the flnanoes In a strong position. The Budget had been balanoed, and Labour can take no credit for the fact that it balanoed again a few months after they got in, and a balanced Budget is the basis of all sound finance. Mr Hamilton has said again and again that when Labour came In every Department was financially sound, and that has not been denied. So, what havoc? Then we are told that these previous Governments had been “blasting away the very foundations of our sooial and eoonomlo structure.” A* the eoonomlo position was sound, and the social position after years of Intense depression, compared favourably with most countries, what Is the basis for the oharge? The Dominion had avoided any heavy additions to Its debt, and so was in a position to advance as soon as overseas markets Improved. Once upon a time Labour used to say we could advance in spite of those markets, but we have since been told, by a Minister, that there are many factors governing the oost of living and other things that are beyond the control of his Government—as they were beyond the control of its predecessor. As for the “pretty mess” a Government that went out of office with the finances sound, production well maintained, and resources available for an extensive programme oannot have left things in quite as bad an order as “Pro Patrla" would have us believe. —• I am, etc., PRO BONO. Hamilton, August 10.

PARTY ALIGNMENTS. (To the Editor.) Sir, —I should like to congratulate your correspondent Mr M. Fairlie for •his singularly able and penetrating letter on party alignments in Saturday’s Times. He cites recent developments which have been the occasions of a good deal of concern to impartial observers, and asks: “Do all these things go to prove that Labour is really at heart authoritarian?” 1 should Bay most certainly they do. Take for instance recent developments in the Government's radio policy. Every endeavour is being made to purchase B stations and make the radio a Government monopoly. Last Saturday night 2ZF, whioh had been purchased from a listeners’ league in Palmerston North, was closed down, after 14 years of independent operation. B stations in Auckland were not allowed to appeal to their own listeners for funds to save them, and certain talks—some of them regular features for months—have been arbitrarily discontinued as soon as the Government assumed control. Labour supporters have told me that this is "because the people might be misled.” In other words, an antlioritarian Government decides what is. or is not, good for the people to hear. This may be “government of the people for the people," but iL is not “government by the people”; how can it be if the people do not pet the opportunity to hear all shades of opinion and to examine all points of view ? Then, too, besides being an infringement of freedom of speech, it further strengthens Mr Fairlie's argument that Ihe Government, like, the extremo Conservatives, is authoritarian. Now, Sir, why should the present Labou? !vn lives be authoritarian? I think the ■ answer is because neither of them | really trusts the people. For example. I have asked several Labour men, and Conservatives, 100, why they did not enact the Initiative Ihe right of tho people In enacl legislation themselves, as in Switzerland , the Referendum ! (the right of the people to demand a i popular vide on contentious legislation j before Parilnpienl, as in Switzerland), I and the Recall (the right of Ihe | majority of a member’s constituents to recall him for dereliction of duly or ! breach of faith, as in some American Stales). Generally ■speaking, 1 got Ihe ! same answer from both sides—viz., ; “Good Heavens, you couldn’t trust. I Ihe people with powers like tliatF' Yes, Sir. Mr Fairlie is right. They aro authoritarians all right. I run. elr., INDEPENDENT Mamillou, August u

LIVE PIGEON SHOOTING (To the Editor.) Sir, —I read with horror, and sorrow for the bird, and disgust toward the shooter, that there is to be a revival of that abominable practice called live pigeon shooting. According to report, numbers of these beautiful birds are being purchased in order that, upon release, they may be blown to pieces, or, worst still, horribly mutilated, by -so-called “sportsmen.” Is there no law to stop such cruelty? What about the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals? I trust that great opposition will be roused against this terrible thing.—l am, etc., ' FAIRPLAY. Claudelands, August 7. FINDING WORK. (To the Editor.) Sir,—Everyone who has come Into direct contact with the unemployment problem knows it is difficult in some places to find suitable work, not too far away from the places where the men live. It occurred to me that there might now be an opportunity to further that fine idea, advanced some time ago, of having the main roads leading to Hamilton planted with lovely trees. It was admitted at the time that avenues leading to the town would be mo-st attractive. There may be some difficulty, in places, with regard to power lines, but surely there 1-s opportunity for some planting to be done? The work would not be very hard, so that men not equal to a day’s really hard slog would be able to do It. I suppose the approach of spring would make it a suitable time to plant the young trees. This would be part of the plan supported by some of the Ministers to beautify the highways, and Hamilton could give a lead to the Dominion.—l am, etc., ROYAL OAK. Hamilton, August 9, WHEN HAMILTON WON. (To the Editor.) Sir, —The Hamilton High School Rugby fifteen has stolen a march upon me at last. Ever since 1930 I have made special efforts to get out to Edon Park when Hamilton has been playing either Auckland or Mount Albert Grammar, and on eaoh occasion I have been sadly disappointed for my efforts. My letter's published in the Times on July 4 and July 14, 1933, bear this out. Now, last Saturday, I debated for quite a long time as to whether further efforts would be more profitable. The Intensely bleak wind decided the Issue, as I had no desire to be frozen as well as disappointed. So Instead I stayed in, and went to -see the “Kangaroos” play New Zealand at Carlaw Park. I now wish heartily to congratulate the High Sohool fifteen upon securing a well-deserved win at last at Eden Park, and to express the hope that Hamilton will be able to do likewise upon another occasion. It Is rathor oomlcal to think I might have been the “nigger in the wood pile” all plong. I wonder 1 Such are life’s ironies.—l am, eto., R. M. THOMSON. Auckland, August 9.

FARMING COBTB. • . (To the Editor.) Sir, —I am pleased to learn of Mr Alex. Boyd's farming - experience. For one -whose knowledge of farming Is so extensive he seems singularly unaware of its economic aspects. It would no doubt surprise him to learn that all Increases In costs, Including tariffs, must be borne finally by the primary producers—especially those whose produce is exported and whose payment depends upon the price level of another oountry. In accusing me of saying that Is 5d per lb fat is necessary to meet tho recent cost increases Mr Boyd overlooks the fact that this is not my finding, but that of the costing committees of the Farmers’ Union and the New Zealand Dairy Company. With all due respect to Mr Boyd, I prefer to accept these findings to his vague generaUtles. Mr Nash, Mr Savage and Mr Lee Martin have promised that these increased costs will be included in the guaranteed price for the coming season, and Mr Boyd reproaches me for expecting the promise to bo fulfilled It surprises me to find such a strong Labour supporter as Mr Boyd cynically hinting that it is merely another political promise and that it would he too much to expect its fulfilment Mr Boyd’s remarks on the cutting up of farm lands are not relevant. I am still waiting to learn tlie result of Ids investigations on Ihe. waterfront. He. has now discovered Hint there are farmers who pay mnr" Ilian award wages to their employees. Has he. discovered a wharf labourer who works any overtime free for his employer?— I am, etc., KULAK. Hamilton, August 0