PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 122, Issue 20509, 27 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.

BUS BERVIOES

(To the Editor) Sir,—ln your issue of May 24 a letter appeared under the nom-de-plume of “Waiting Moments,” referring to the unsatisfactory time-table of the Claudelands passenger service on race days. The whole of the Claudelands timetable was maintained on the day in question (Saturday, May 2i), as well as the rest of the borough servicesWe admit that the 5.5 p.m. bus from Hamilton to Claudelands was delayed till 5.17 p.m. on account of the heavy traffic and extra work the buses were" called on to do at that particular time, but this was the only delay in the time-table. In conclusion, we wish to state that we appreciate the support the public are giving our buses, and we desire to render the best possible service in return.—We are, etc., BUSES LIMITED. (J. J. Branton, Manager.) Hamilton, May 26.

FACIAL ECZEMA

(To the Editor) Sir, —It is good to have Mr Savage’s promise that something will be done to assist farmers who have been beaten for their means of earning a living because they lost their cows or sheep by the scourge. I know many of them, and the Government can rely on them to do their very best to make a good recovery. But, Sir, I think It was a little unfortunate that the Prime Minister spoke as though the trouble was confined to the Waikato. The fact is that It was spread over a very big area. In Poverty Bay sheep on hill country, never before affected, suffered considerably, and there are other districts where the outbreak was fairly bad. We do not want the idea to get about that South Auckland was the only district to incur losses. Owing to the peculiar conditions they may have been heavier here, but this disease is really a North Island problem, and must be fought on all fronts. We expect the experts to be in a position to give us the best advice as to how we should manage affairs next season, because prevention is better than cure.—l am, etc., ROMNEY. Tirau, May 25.

FREEDOM AND DEMOCRACY

(To the Editor) Sir,—Your correspondent “B. Farmer” has evidently a very restricted knowledge of the long story of British liberty—a glorious heritage of our race which has been handed down to us from our ancestors, who enjoyed It 2000 years ago, when they lived among the forests and heaths of northern Germany. During twenty centuries our ancestors held those liberties against all who attacked them, but Britishers have become apathetic, and supinely see a Socialist Government stripping those liberties from them wholesale. The Great Charter confirmed the right of every citizen to have access to the King’s justice; the Government has deprived the citizens of New Zealand of that right. The same charter secured to the citizen for all time the right to enter into any contract on terms suitable to himself; that right has gone. The doctrine of ministerial responsibility has been an integral part of the British Constitution for more than five centuries; every Minister who, during those five centuries, accepted office, accepted at the same time full responsibility for his acts as Minister; the same in all countries under the British model. Labour supporters cannot be very proud to think that during the long course of history the Labour Ministers in New Zealand "were the first lo avoid that responsibility. Then we have had attacks of various sorts on freedom of speech and opinion, showing plainly that if the Labour policy is endorsed at the coming election we may expect liberty of speech and democracy to follow the B radio stations, because the Government has changed its policy. All the ministerial talk about “democracy” should be put in the same category as the “sweet nothings” said about the B stations during last election. No, Mr “B. Farmer,” freedom or dictatorship is the real issue at next election.—l am, BIRD O’ FREEDOM. Hamilton, May 26.

BUBH REBERVE

LABOUR’S CLAIM

GUARANTEED PRICES

(To-the Editor) Sir,—That piece of native bush adjoining—or is it part of?—the showgrounds is a real joy, and if it could he extended to take in that, triangular corner Hamilton would have a great asset. The area could be planted carefully and include practically all the trees and shrubs found In the New Zealand bush at lea-st in this part of the Dominion, vine would not expect kauris. The trees should grow well there, provid there is some shelter-belt, for my observations I should say that where bush, is exposed to keen wind it gradually thins. In the bush the air is generally still and not really cold. I understand that in the early days there were many line patches, and I suppose that once upon a time tho Horotiu plain, which I am told was the Maori name for that wide expanse between the river and the hills over towards Morrinsville and Cambridge, was practically covered with hush. There is not much left, and nothing near Hamilton, so let this beautiful area be enlarged and coming generations will thank us.—l am, etc., PIONEER’S SON. Hamilton, May 25.

(To the Editor) Sir,—l suppose the old saying: “Repeat a story often enough and it will be believed,” is the reason why “Elector” has trotted out the one about doling out unemployment funds to wealthy companies and squatters. If this had been done, as be alleges, the law would have been invoked to punish those who did It. The matter of the Southland Meat Company has been so often explained that its" repetition is inexcusable. “Elector” says he does not believe that Mr Hamilton will not reduce pensions or wages. What on earth docs it matter what “Elector” believes? His disbelief will not affect Mr Hamilton’s promise. “Elector” says that non-Labour Governments “have always reduced wages and pensions,” and "always will. This is a corker! Why, Sir, wages have been on the Increase even before Labour was a party in the House. Pensions too. If all non-Labour Governments’ policy is to reduce pensions, why on earth did they introduce them and increase them? He seems to think that Labour brought in pensions, and no doubt that is what the party wish people to believe. The only reduction I can remember of wages and pensions was a temporary one in the record world slump, and these were already being replaced.— I am, etc., AJAX. Wellington, May 25. -T ; - '

(To the Editor) *’* Sir, —l fully agree with the views expressed, that the decision of the Government to pay out any surplus In the Dairy Industry Account makes the original scheme advanced by Mr Nash impossible. The idea of the account ever becoming a 6elf-balancing one must go by the board. But the matter goes much further than that, from Labour’s point of view, and It will he interesting to see how they face up to the problems. Taking a hint from a correspondent in your columns nearly two years ago, I kept copies of Hansard with reports of the debates on the Marketing Bill, and I have turned up this statement, made by the Minister of Marketing: “When we fix the guaranteed prlca we shall set up the machinery to fix the value of land, from which the farmer gets his product, at a figure that i§ sustained by that guaranteed price.” What is the position now? The guaranteed price has become Just a minimum price, and the producers rightly get any surplus. The total pay-out in any one season may vary considerably from that of the next, so that there will be no prospect of fixing the value of land on Mr Nash's basis. The whole thing, as far as I can see, simply must be dropped. The stable basis no longer exists, and I doubt if the Government could draw up a plan for land values moving in step with pay-outs. There are other knotty problems that anyone can see. What of farm labour wages? They were fixed by law on the basis of the guaranteed price. What now? —I am, etc., EX-FARMER. Hamilton, May 26.