PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20503, 20 May 1938, 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.

FACIAL ECZEMA

(To fhe Editor) Sir,—The present outbreak of facial eczema has naturally turned the thoughts of all farmers to methods of prevention. It is held by many that diet is an important factor, and my experience has been that a balanced diet, including the necessary roughage, has kept my stock in good health. This balance has been greatly helped by turning stock on to pampas grass. I am sure the experience of other users would be of Interest to the farming community.—i am, etc., FARMER. Turikaramea R.D., May 18.

NATIONAL DEBT

(To the Editor) Sir.—l suppose there will be some way of finding out exactly how the reduction was made in the National Debt last year. I followed Mr Nash closely and could make neither head nor tail out of his explanation. The only figures that I usually take as final are those in the Year Book, but I am told that there is a special return presented to Parliament every year showing exactly how and where the money is owing. To have the debt reduced by over £3.000.000 in a year is, to my mind, splendid. It must mean smaller interest payments next year—or should I say this year? If anyone can give a detailed explanation of how it was done, perhaps more than myself will be thankful, and in the meantime I will wait for the big grey book.—l am, etc., SCRUTATOR. Hamilton, May 19.

BTOCK SCOURGE

(To the Editor) Sir, —After the long spell of hot, humid weather, the district has had a short one with lower temperatures, and many of us have been waiting for some definite information as to the effect of the colder conditions on the stock. Many people were convinced that a spell of frosty weather would work wonders, basing their belief on the experience of past years. It may be too soon for any considered opinion, but it would be Interesting to know If the passing of the oppressively hot weather has done what was expected. If an improvement has been made, then the next thing is the best method to adopt to bring the stock back to normal condition. Will the authorities assist by outlining what, in their opinion, should be done with ewes, for unless they regain some condition the lambs may not be worth the effort to fatten.—l am, ec., E. AND O. E. Cambridge, May 19.

LABOUR’B OLAIMB

(To the Editor) Sir,—While not having the privilege of listening-in. I read the Hon. A. Hamilton’s address, and would like to point out that the leader of the Opposition has made another futile attempt to belittle the rising tide of prosperity in New Zealand. He referred to the Prime Minister’s broadcast speech concerning the impressive evidence of prosperity under Labour’s rule, as a parade of statistics and glib talk of millions. Mr Hamilton, after several days’ reflection, came to the conclusion that the Prime Minister had painted the clouds with sunshine. In my opinion, even if that were so, surely it must be better than the National Party’s practice of blackening the outlook with pitch? Mr Hamilton clings to an obsolete policy. As a Minister in the depression Government, and an incurable pessimist, he has been so used to drabness that he cannot appreciate luminous facts. His political and economic ideas take the form of “menacing shadows." But Mr Hamilton cannot get away from the fact that the people of this country are enjoying prosperity, and that If the purchasing power had not been increased in New Zealand the business section would not have had such increases in their takings. If the Coalition Government had still been in office the purchasing power would not have been increased and the old-age pensioners would still be living on a miserable pittance of 15s per week, instead of 22s 6d a week under a Labour Government. The purchasing power was increased by the Labour Government, and it was partly through that Government that prosperity was brought into this country. It is useless for Mr Hamilton to talk about prices rising overseas, because that would not affect New Zealand at all if we had no money to buy with.

Mr Hamilton always looks on the black side and talks about slumps and breakdowns. I believe that if a slump came to this country again we have a Government that would steer us through safely. The policy points outlined by Mr Hamilton were the policy points of the old Reform Party. He says that they will govern in the interests of the people as a whole and not for a section or class. Well we had a Government from 1911 to 1935 which squeezed money from the working classes to enable it to give large remissions of income tax to wealthy squatters. During the slump the Government of which Mr Hamilton was a member reduced wages and salaries and the old-age pensions, and they doled out of the unemployment funds the sum of £17.000 to a wealthy insurance company outside of New Zealand, also £16,000 to the Southland Meat Company and wealthy squatters. Mr Hamilton says they are not going to reduce wages and pensions. 1 do not believe it. They have always done it and always will do it. because it Is in their policy. Mr Hamilton says that compulsory arbitration will he retained# Why is the change of front now? If he thinks it necessary to retain the compulsory clauses, why did he and his colleagues abolish them when they were in office? If Mr Hamilton thinks that unemployment fax on women should he abolished, why did tin* Coalition Covernmeiif. bring that law in I<* impose the tax on them ? lie lias no excuse 1 . offer to the people of this country for tlie deeds of his party.—i am. etc., ELECTOR. Hamilton, May IS.

IN DANGEROUS SEAS

SITE FOR POBT OFFICE

OTHER VIEWB

(To the Editor) Sir.—Anyone who takes even casual interest in public affairs must be convinced of one thing—that th# Ship of State is drifting in dangeroq# seas. It has lost its anchorage, th# captain hag jettisoned his compass, and the craft is being carried hither and thither by cross currents amidst shoals and shallows. What more pitiful exhibition hag ever been staged than the social security scheme? Opr administrator# repeatedly declared that the plan wai complete and ready for enactment. Even at this late hour it is not certain what fhe final proposal will be. To save face they will be compelled to produce something. Their policy is equally chaotic in other directions. Individual Minister# make statements and declaration# which indicate that members of Cabinet are at sixes and sevens on important matters, not merely on details, but on principle, and the * fact stand# out as plain as the proverbial pikestaff that we are at the mercy of a Cabinet of visionaries who do not know even the rudiments of statecraft.—l am, etc., E. D. EWINSSON. I Hamilton, May 12.

(To the Editor) Fir, —The citizens of yamilton ar# going to miss a glorious opportunity of having a fine open space in the centre of fhe town if they allow the Government to build a post office on the old courthouse site. Why are our town-planners not protesting? It is intended to build the Post Office right up to the footpath, and as there is no street access at the rear of the building, motor vans carrying mails to and from the station all day will be continually crossing the footpath. In a very few years' time service ear# will be prohibited in Victoria Street, and they will have to park In a side street, probably Bryce Street. Thl# will reduce the congestion In our busiest street. If we could only save the court* house site the council would probably consider taking down the old library building, and we would then have the finest beauty spot of any inland town In New Zealand, with lovely terrace# right down to the river. What a boon this would be to our country cousins after they have done a morning’s shopping, ‘it is no use saying It Is too late or It cannot be done. Garden Place Hill will be taken away In a few months’ time. A monster petition could be signed right away asking the Government not to build a post office until they have seen the site the council are prepared to exchange with them, across the road. The only reason the Government propose to build on the courthouse site is because they happen to own the land.—l am, etc., J. S. ANCHOR. Hamilton, May 19.

(To the Editor) Sir,—During the reoent discussion* about Abyssinia and Spain at Geneva the cable Information we got seemed to be rather rigidly restricted to the views of the British statesmen, and those of our High Commissioner. Were the considered opinions of the able men who represent Australia. Canada, and South Africa not of sufficient importance to be summarised? It looked as though New Zealand alone stood for a policy opposed to that of the Mother Country, and probably that was so; but it would have been good to know the grounds on which the other Dominions took their stand and what they said about that of New Zealand. The representatives of the other Dominions have held higher office !n the League than has yet come our way, and their opinions would carry weight. Even If they only stated why they were not prepared to support the New Zealand attitude the information would have been of great value. It seems difficult to think that the little Dominion was the only one in the right and that the other representatives could not 6ee what our Government saw. I take it that the views Mr Jordan enunciated were not his own altogether, but represented those of the Government of tills country. Would it be right to conclude that there were only two views, those of the Old Country and those of New Zealand? I would like to know what men like Mr S. M. Bruce and other# thought and said. We apparently got no information in that matter.—l am, etc., LEMAN. • Hamilton, May 18.