PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20494, 10 May 1938, Page 9

PUBLIC OPINION

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

GARDEN PLACE FINANCE

To the Editor) Sir, —In his letter to the Waikato Times of May 7 Mr de la Mare, commenting on the restricted-area vote, writes: “One small though wealthy area has assumed the burden.” Since when have tradesmen become so altruistic as to bear burdens? And the “small area" is practically Hamilton's whole shopping area. Obviously the burden, in the shape of higher prices, will be passed on. for the public always pays. That’s that. —I am, etc.. POOR PUBLIC. Hamilton, May 8.

NATIONAL INCOME

(To the Editor) Sir, —It is nothing short of a calamity when our fine country has at its head men who are prepared to saddle us with an increase in expenditure on their forecast that the national income will expand in the future. The chances are that the exact opposite will be the case. After the mad rush for armaments slows down, or the alternative, a world war, affairs economic will likely be on a very different basis. But we cannot expect much more from men who can declare that they will not allow world-wide depression to affect the country over which they preside. Of all utter nonsense this takes some beating, and must give even this Government’s supporters a wistful thought or two.—l am, etc., ANTI-LUNACY. Melville, May 6.

ART SECTION, WINTER SHOW

BOROUGH COUNCIL FINANCE

ATHLETIC GROUNDS

SALVATION ARMY

THRIFT

(To the Editor) ! Sir, —A reference was made In the news column of the Waikato Times to 1 a request made by the Hamilton Ama- ! teur Athletic and Cycle Club to the Borough Council, and it has been conl sidered desirable that, we make known : to the public the details of what we j have in mind. I In we now have one lof the best athletic grounds In the | country, and for that we have to thank the people of Hamilton, who. acting through their official bodies, the Borough Council and the Domain Board, have improved the ground beyond recognition. There is now only one thing lacking, and that is spectator accommodation (Including conveniences). The most desirable form that this should take is elevated terraces completely surrounding the track. With that Hamilton would have an athletic ground second to none. It seemed to be but a remote possibility until we learned that the poll recently carried for the removal of the hill in the town provides for dumping the spoil to waste. We have, therefore, asked the council to consider this scheme of building for the Waikato an athletic stadium—an opportunity which will never come again. We recognise that this change would lose one football field, but two more fields will shortly be available at the Technical School grounds right alongside Hlnemoa Park. We are also in favour of using some of the spoil to fill the gully at the back of Rugby Park to make more playing area available. Football will not therefore suffer. We appeal not only to our members, but to the schools and parents who are Interested in developing athletics In this town, to do what they can to see that this project is brought to fruition. Hamilton should be an athletic centre.—We are, etc., A. H. MALCOLM, President Hamilton A.A. and G.G. Hamilton, May 4.

"(To the Editor) Sir,—Once more we have the Winter Show approaching, and while wishing, with everyone concerned, for a successful and harmonious display, I would like to say a word regarding Class 18 in the art section. Two years ago a similar drawing was in this class—l.e., the copy of a head—shown on the back of “The Call.” The one and only condition was that it should be “twice the size” of the reprint. Now, Sir, not one of the successful entrants fulfilled the one and only condition mentioned—ln fact, two or three were little bigger than the original. I have no wish to criticise the judge, but I contend that the condition laid down should be adhered to. The size of the picture in this year’s “Call” is 4 inches by 5i inches, so that twice that size should be 8 inches by 11 inches. All exhibitors should be encouraged to obey this condition, for obvious reasons.—l am, etc., HOMO. Claudelands, May 7.

(To the Editor) Sir, —Mr Tidd, in his letter in the Times of Saturday last, stated that the figures contained therein were in the possession of Mr Laffertv had he chosen to use them. As a matter of fact I did make use of the figures whilst speaking to the electors at Frankton on Thursday, May 5. He then goes on to say that when the amalgamation of the two boroughs came about Frankton came In emptyhanded. By virtue of the Frankton electric light charier being handed over automatically Hamilton had acquired the greatest milch cow that was ever In the possession of the borough. As an instance of this the gross profits of the electric light department for the past three years were £85,687, plus £14,000 from this year’s account used for borough purposes, making a total of £54,451 extended in that time on maintenance and permanent work over the whole borough, but it still shows a profit of £22,236 after having made provision for relief of rates of £9OOO. A tribute to old Frankton and the old milch oow, and a fitting retort to Mr Tidd’s statements.

Mr Tldd, furthermore, states that the old Hamilton endowments were bringing in yearly over £7OOO. On looking up the balance sheet of 1916, prior to the amalgamation, I find that yearly revenue from endowments was £1334, not over £7OOO as stated by him.—l am, etc., C. LAFFERTY. Frankton Junction, May 9.

(To the Editor) Sir,—l was greatly Interested In the article in Friday’s issue in connection with the golden jubilee of the Salvation Army. May I be allowed to point out I that you have been misinformed regarding the date of the destruction by j fire of the premises occupied by the Army In Victoria Street? Of what ! happened previous to 1908 I have no ! personal knowledge, but as I came to j Hamilton In that year (1908), and ; resided here continuously until 1916, I can state that no fire occurred in that period; and, further, that the shop now occupied by the firm to whom the Army sold the site Is the Identical building formerly used by the Army. A new front was put In" and some minor internal alterations were carried out, but to anyone conversant with ] the hall as used by the Army the j Interior is easily recognised. In the list of officers published there j are blank intervals; perhaps some of ; the names I now supply will help to I fill these spaces. The names I think ■ of at the moment (and I do not suppose my list will complete the tally) I comprises such names as Law, Green, Kyle, Tong, Church, Rimmer, Gee, Fisher. Possibly these names may recall to some of the old identities some others. If so, it would be a favour if they would write to the Times.—l am, etc., OLD TIMER. Hamilton, May 7.

(To the Editor) Sir,—Regarding this question of thrift: Money in the first place was

invented as a means of exchange—merely a ticket. To leave the products of industry unsold and to allow them to deteriorate or be destroyed is to forsake the substance for the shadow. To save, or hoard, this medium of exchange is to imply that a surplus exists at the moment or that a shortage will exist in the future, or even both. The numerous deferred-pay-ment systems, the extensive borrowing, and the mortgaging of the future, are ample proof that a shortage of purchasing power does exist, and also proves that the present monetary system fails to fulfil the purposes of a true economic system—viz., to distribute the products of industry. Under these circumstances, to save means to clog the wheels of industry still further. While I am compelled, by the insecurity of the future. to practise thrift, the resultant savings do not afford me a great deal of satisfaction. The unsold goods which these savings represent would make my life more pleasant, as well as the lives of the

people who manufacture and sell such goods. Although our ability to produce physical wealth is almost unlimited, our financial system tells us this is a lie. It would have us believe that only a certain number of money tickets exist, and that it is necessary for us to fight one another for possession of these and to hoard them for the future. In times of war. when everyone is perous: in times of peace we must economise and live in poverty. nur present economic system is one gigantic lie. which can no longer be hidden. When our monetary svstem reflects physical facts there will he plenty for everyone. The fear of the future wilhdisappear ami money saved will be looked upon as money wasted. No doubt we will have with us for a while some of those old die-hards who preach the gospel of hard work and thrift, which means to produce more and consume !es< in a world that cannot buy wliat it already produces. A great deal of the Arbitration Court's (Continued In next column;

time was recently taken up in discussing the smallest, amount of clothing necessary for a female worker. With incomes based in this manner on the barest cost <>f living, how it is possible to practise thrift without denying onesrif s* me of the necessares of life? Thrift, is only a palliative and not a cure.—l am. etc., E. G. MARTIN. Frankton, May 7.