PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20496, 12 May 1938, Page 11

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondents, whose letters are welcome, but tor 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 this rule is complied with, their letters will not appear.

DOMAINB

(To the Editor) Sir, —Will you allow me to correct the report of the statement attributed to me at last night’s meeting of the Domain Board? I was deploring the confusion in the public mind as to the functions of the Beautifying Society and the Domain Board. I said it was appalling that candidates should advocate putting the Beautifying Society under the control of the Borough Council when it already is. and always has been, under the control of the council. Everyone is entitled to his opinion as to whether the domains should be administered by the council. I have mine, but refrained from expressing it. —I am, etc., F. A. SWARBRICK. Hamilton, May 11.

CHAIN OF DEBT

(To the Editor) Sir.—After reading his letter dated May 2. no one could doubt the sincerity of Mr C. J. Tuck’s support of the Labour Party. I cannot help thinking. however, that he Is a little inclined to take too much notice of what his political leaders say and to overlook their actions. Inviting us all to embrace the Labour doctrine, he asks: ‘‘Why not try a new method—a method that would not leave a chain of debt round our children’s necks?” I remind Mr Tuck that after nearly three years of Labour’s ‘‘beneficent rule” debt (and taxation) is greater than ever before in the history of the Dominion. There appears to be a striking difference between promise and performance in this matter. If Labour’s “beneficent rule” continues it looks as if our children’s necks will soon be completely obscured by “chains of debt,” and little Oscar will have a new excuse for his failure to apply the customary soap and water.—l am, etc., G. HUNTER. Horsham Downs, May 10.

NATIONAL PARTY

(To the Editor) Sir. —I am glad that some of the Information supplied to “B. Farmer” was welcomed, and lam continuing this correspondence on the assumption that he is genuine in his desire to acquire information. His remarks about the “old gang,” as he calls them, needs little answer. Mr Sutherland, the National candidate for Raglan, is chairman of the Ngaruawahla branch of the party, in mentioning this gentleman and others who have received official endorsement I was showing that these men were new to national politics and were what could he called “new blood.” I also pointed out that almost all the other candidates for official endorsement were in the same category. The position regarding the compensated price is quite clear. The leader of the party has made several public statements on this matter, and these cover the position very well. The National Party fully realises the paramount importance of the dairying industry, which is, despite Mr Webb’s statement to the contrary, the backbone of this country. “B. Farmer” must realise that the speakers throughout the South Auckland area, on behalf of the National Party, were in almost all cases private members of the party, and it is not fheir job to expound matters of policy. They have confined themselves to speaking to members at branches and drawing attention to what is undoubtedly the greatest evil of our time—viz.. Socialism. The official candidates will, in due course, expound the policy. “B. Farmer’s” concluding paragraph would make it appear that he is in some doubt as to the support being given the National Party hv farmers. Let me assure “B. Farmer,” without any exaggeration whatever, that the National Party is receiving the strongest possible support from the farmers. And why? Simply because the National Party is thoroughly democratic and because the constitution of the party gives the individual member the fullest possible opportunity to select the candidates, control the organisation and mould the policy, i This has awakened considerable interest in all sections of the community, and it is being proved that the collective wisdom of the community can produce constructive ideas. I hope that "B. Farmer” will continue to investigate the position and the writer will be very happy to assist him In this connection.—l am. etc., NATIONAL. Frankton, May 11.

SOCIALISTIC MUDDLING

(To the Editor) Sir, —During the 1931 crisis in Britain, when the Labour Government went out and the National came in, Philip Snowden said that the Socialists were not fit to govern Britain, or any other country. The muddle they are making in New Zealand bears out his statement.—l am, etc., DISGUSTED, Hamilton, May 8.

ART BEOTION

(To the Editor) Sir, —In his letter of May 7 “Homo” draws attention to Glass 18 in the art section of the Waikato Winter Show. The drawing in this class is a copy of the picture in “The Call,” to be twice the size of the original. The size of the picture in “The Call” is 4 inches by 5J inches, and he contends that to be twice the size of the original the copy should be 8 inches by \ { inches. Now, Sir, I contend that 8 inches by 11 inches is four times the size of the original, and that to be twice the size of the original the copy would have to be a fraction under 53 inches hy 7| inches. What say other art students?—l am, etc., FIGUHO. Hamilton East, May 10.

A SUGGESTION

(To the Editor) Sir,—Many of the Government Departments and counting houses offer encouragement to their staff for practical suggestions. I have one that I would like the powers-that-be to note, and for which I require neither reward nor favour. It is in connection with the disposal of the soil from Garden Place. For many months I have been a user of the FranktonMassey Street railway crossing, and although it never could be classed as good it has been allowed to go back, and at the present time it will, I think, take the whole of the spoil from Garden Place to fill up the holes between the rails to make it anyway decent for the motorist. Hoping my suggestion will bear fruit. —I am, etc., SPOON-FED. Pirongia, May 9.

BTOOK DIBEABK

(To the Editor) Sir.—The report of my address to the Farmers’ Union at Hamilton did not set out fully my explanation, which was that facial eczema was: (1) The same as if a human being were attacked by yellow jaundice; (2) that this condition has three distinct causes. Ergot poisoning, which is the most serious, eats up medicines given, unless one can eliminate it from the system; (3) uncontrolled pastures—t.e., allowed to go from the milk stage to the seed stage, when the ergot forms. It is also a grave danger to children or adults playing or working in it, making hay from such pastures. (4) Unbalanced manuring: Twentyeight years ago I carried out a series of manure experiments—allowing the stock to pick out just what they wanted. Both cows and sheep picked out exactly the same paddocks. (5) With two abnormal years, the livers of all stock were unbalanced by the first flush of feed in the spring. * This condition was further aggravated by the heat of the sun and not sufficient shade. Stock without shade must suffer agony in their jaundiced condition. A dry spell in summer followed by rain and humid conditions upsets the system completely. The gall is forced into the blood stream, hence to-day’s trouble. The trouble is man-made, and he deserves the same treatment he has given his stock. I took heed of Nature’s warnings from thirty years ago until to-day. It took me fifteen years’ actual experimenting with live stock, and sacrificing them by the dozens before I was able to control ergot poisoning.—I am. eto., W. P. SEATON. Pukeroro, May 10.

ARMAMENTB

(To the Editor) Sir,—ln the Times of May 4 It was Interesting to read in the cable news that bankers and financial circles in London were alarmed at the evident muddlement, in air armament. It was still more interesting to read the following: “If is even suggested that a manifesto should he presented, similar to the manifesto of 1931. calling upon the Labour Government to retrench its expenditure and re-establish credit.” This is the first public admission by finance that it was responsible for the depression. The late Philip Snowden was merely a hankers’ puppet. What does our so-called democracy, that ideal that our politicians render so much lip-service to. amount to in face of the arrogance of finance? The present financial system is the nursery for war. How many people know that the British merchant navy is 2000 ships fewer than in 1914, and the personnel is 40.000 fewer; on the other hand, the population of Britain is 4.000,000 greater than in 1914? And has not the Bank of England insisted funder the guise of rationalisation) on the destruction of shipping and elimination of many shipyards? Now that the fruits of that policy are plain for all to see, finance, with brazen effrontery, turns round and blames the Government, its servant. Then we have a visitor to our shores, in the person of Canon E. A. Gowring. referring to "the absence of that confidence which is the very soul of sound business.” Priceless! How can anyone have confidence when we are all victims of a foul financial system?—l am, etc.. R. G. YOUNG. Gordonlon. May 8.