PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20282, 26 August 1937, Page 11

PUBLIC OPINION

Ag 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.

LIFE SAVING.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Recently a letter in your columns by “Life-Buoy-Aid-er” asked a number of questions concerning life-saving clubs. The matters mentioned were: (1) Two clubs; (2) members of the one have resigned and are now forming an opposition body; (5) what has been the trouble In the old body? (6) who has been at fault — members forming the new body or the members of the old body? I will answer these together. Owing to an absurd dictatorship, lack of co-operation and the fact that although the club was going for two years members were not encouraged to obtain their bronze medallion or even elementary examinations. (4) Are they going to do the same work? No. The new body is concentrating on teaching swimming and life-saving on the lines of the Royal I.ife Saving Sooiety. (3) Which body is to receive my support? As the general alms of both bodies should be the same, bolh bodies would warrant support. We, as a new body, solioit aupport, but any member of our club, having obtained a bronze medallion, is quite at liberty to Join up with the H.S.L.S.C. We undertake to assist that body in whatever way we can.— l am, etc.,

A. MITCHELL, Provisional Leader. Hamilton, August 24.

A CHAMPION

(To the Editor.) Sir,—Walking along the river bank —and that Is the best walk In Hamilton —I have been delighted to see a number of fantails flitting about. There .appear to be more this year than ever. It has been said that even in hush districts, where pests have destroyed the bird life to an appalling extent, the fantail manages to survive and multiply. Some time ago I discussed the matter with an old bushman, and he said that the explanation was that the bird had taken to building its nest on shrubs growing out of high, stony faces, where the pests could not get at it. He added that perhaps the ability of the bird to make its nest on such slender branches was a further protection. Now if this is so, then the nesting habits of the bird have changed since my day. Fantails used to make their nests in manuka clumps, and other low-growing trees, and 1 have never heard of it using a stony face. An indirect confirming statement has reached me of the fantail actually building on a stony face. If anyone can give further "particulars they would be welcomed by the innumerable lovers of these little birds. —I am, etc., RIRIRIRI. Hamilton, August 24.

PUBLIO WORKS

(To the Editor.) Sir,—Would it be possible to get from the Public Works authorities some figures relating to costs of construction? I have been told by a friend, writing from New South Wales, that Mr Semple, during the course of a speech delivered while visiting that State, said that the costs of constructing public works had been, reduced tremendously. He is said to have mentioned some viaduct that was estimated to eost £23,000 and lake nine months to build, but was finished in seven months and cost £13,000. This seems to me to be a most surprising result, and if work can be done >so much under the estimates, then it does not reflect well on those who prepared the original estimates. The note recalled to my mind some statements made by Mr Semple before he left. One \vas the great saving effected in making some aviation landing ground—l think in Nelson —and there were other items mentioned. Now, what we want is a statement by an engineer giving the comparative figures, is any allowance made for the cost of the machinery? There are a hundred questions one could ask, but where can we get the official figures?—i am, etc., ALPHA OF THE PLOUGH. Hamilton. August 24.

FREEDOM OF OPINION

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Your correspondent “Inquisitive” seems to have been surprised that there are working men’s Conservative clubs in Scotland. They are in being in every part of Britain, and in Lancashire and Yorkshire they are to be found in every industrial town. I have been in very many myself. But the point I wish to comment fully upon is that “Inquisitive” Is hopelessly astray in claiming that when a man has joined a Labour union in New Zealand he has “sold his political soul to tho Labour Party.” Even if a man is compelled to Join a union he has perfect freedom of opinion, politically, and no one can interfere with him as to his vote at any election.

That this is so is evidenced by the faot that leaders of the National Party have stated that quite a big number of workers are linking up with the National Party, and this party can fairly be deemed the Conservative Party of New Zealand. Is there any need to say more in reply to your correspondent?—l am, etc..

JOHN SYKES Wellington, August 24.

SOCIAL CREDIT BANKING

(To the Editor.) Sir,—The letters about what the Social Credit advisers have been doing in Alberta, and especially about the banking legislation, are my excuse for appealing to the advocates of this particular solution of the economic problems for an item of information. I am not particularly interested In Alberta, but I am in New Zealand. And my chief opponent in matters of financial reform will keep on referring lo a plan which he says Major Douglas recommended for New Zealand before he sailed away from the Dominion. This plan, so I am told, was based on limiting the profits of the banks and using the surplus profits to pay off the overdrafts of the borrowers. It seems to me to be perfectly hopeless, and I should'be glad if some Social Credit expert would let your readers have an outline of what the Major did recommend—if anything.—l am, etc., BOTHERED. Hamilton. August 24.

MINISTER AND JUSTICES

(To the Editor.) Sir, —While it is generally conceded that there are few magistrates in Lie Dominion who adorn the Bench with more dignity, and whose judgments are more sound that those of Mr J. 11. Luxford, it is neverthedess felt by a large section of your readers that Mr Luxford’s “outburst” at a recent conference of Justices at Wellington, whioh was strongly featured in the Times of August 20, was ill-considered and 111-advised.

We assume that Mr Luxford, in his belated attack on a Minister of the Crown, was correctly reported, otherwise the Times would not have prominently featured the remarks, under the bold heading “Censured,” in which the magistrate referred to “the unfortunate and regrettable incident of a Minister of the Crown publicly denouncing the actions of certain Justices in language consistent only with a positive right to discipline the justices.”

“It is for the Legislature to make the law and the duty of the court to see that the law i-s carried out,” is a comment frequently heard in court. With this we entirely agree. Surely, then, if Justices are found lacking in ability, or will, to carry out the Intention of legislators, it i* the prerogative of the Minister in charge not only to make strong comment but also to discipline the defaulting justice if necessary? “Don’t agree with what a person says just because he has a wig on his head,” was the sage advice given by Mr Justice Callan in the Supreme Court at Hamilton last week. It was somewhat significant that this comment should have appeared on tne same page of the Times as Mr Luxford’s criticism of the Minister. With this sentiment we entirely agree. We also agree witfi the opinion of the late Sir Robert Stout that all “judgment is biassed” (to a degree) by education, training or environment.

For example, may I quote a few justices’ decisions of recent date? (1) Four Austrians, with scant knowledge of English, charged with working on Anzac Day. Each was convicted and fined £lO, or £4O in all (2) Drunken motorist fined £5 and costs. (3) Driver of car Involved in a collision. Passenger taken to hospital. Driver arrested and two doctors testified man was drunk. Caso dismissed. (4) Man charged with converting a car to his own use and using false registration plates. Collide 1 with a motor cyclist, who spent three months in hospital. Fined £5. (5) Teacher of a backbioek school collecting money to provide Christmas tree for children collided willi a motor lorry while driving an unregisrond. Fined £lO. ° " counlli Many more equally Inconsistent judgments could ho added. These, Mr Lux ford's contentions that judgments must not be adversely com mon led on. which savours somewhat of the “divine right of kings,” a myth long since exploded. As a family man and a dailv user of Hie road. I endorse Mr Semple's shipment in ils entirely. Hint the •■drunken motorist is a menace to the road.” if these men are not punished as the law intended they should, owing to the attitude of presiding justice, then all righl thinking people should ngr-e "'• !l .'"slices be replaced by "men who arc charged with the spirit tha I j "justice must he done, even though | the heavens fall.” —I am, etc.. GABRIEL ELLIOTT. Te Kuiti, August 23 I