PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20736, 21 February 1939, Page 9

PUBLIC OPINION

As exprcss'-il 1 1 y rorrosp..iident,.s whose 101 l (M's ;1 !‘0 wHcniir. hill. for whose views wo have no responsibility, florrosjiornl'iils are requested to write in ink. It is essential Unit anonymous writers enclose their proper names as a guarantee of good faith, t'nless this rule is oomplied with, their letters will not appear. PEOPLE’S WELFARE (To the Editor) ®ir,—The Leader of the Opposition, Mr Hamilton, says it. is his party's job to try to educate the people of our country. i would lil:e to tell Mr 'Hamilton that he did educate the people of New Zealand. We voted to put his party out of power; that was a good enough education. For the Things the pai tv did we cannot forget it. Mr Hamilton also says we must arropl Ihe Prime Minister’s assurances: then he says some of them have got. their doubts. Men like (hat are no good to run a country.—l am, etc., .1. MOODY. Hamilton. February 20. BIRTH CONTROL (To the Editor) ?ir,—T would be pleased if “Enlighten'' would give us the figures he refers (o in his last letter. I do not sidestep statistics, but desire to place those figures correctly relating to each family, it is there where we could see whether the control of births is reduced. An increase in births and a decrease in marriages prove nothing.

I am certainly discreet, over my own private affairs, and “ Enlighten ” and others are not. aware whether I follow my teachings or not. This is beside the point at issue. It is a principle which I am discussing. Mv private business does not arise. The obvious fact of birth control being right under any circumstances, except the natural one, is bad reasoning. If we break the natural laws, which do not alter, and it is wrong to break those laws, then it is still wrong to break them because of man-made conditions which could be altered in a trice if the people desired it. But, no, they are too selfish. As to the cannon fodder, etc., this argument does not hold good anyway. Once again it comes back to man-made laws which can be adjusted, only we do not use our brains. Ideas of right and wrong may be fluid, but I am not dealing with ideas: T am dealing with natural law, which is unalterable. I will reply to “Agnes Mac” later, and I thank her for her contribution. —I am, etc., MARCUS ST. B. JAMES. Hamilton, February 20. FAGWORT MENACE (To the Editor) Sir,—l would like through the columns of your paper to draw attention to the neglect of property-holders in this district regarding noxious weeds, especially ragwort. When an occupier of land allows these pests to grow unchecked and shower seeds far and wide It becomes a serious offence, morally If not legally. For several years I have been engaged for several months of each year combating the pest, covering with a gang of 20 or more men a large tract of country Several thousands of : pounds are spent each year, and yet we find landholders very apathetic and unwilling to co-operate in the destruction of one of our worst pests. This year there are in evidence, not only in the country, but in town areas a large number'of isolated plants capable of seeding a large area, according to the wind causing the seed to scatter; and I can foresee quite a large tract of country being covered in the near future. Prevention Is better than cure, we often hear, and in I his case far less expensive. To-day there is too much of leaving things for Hie oilier fellow. ’•Let's have our fun: someone else, can pay for if.” seems In he Hie .spirit most in evidence: but il is about lime we called a halt and did a litlle on our own account. 1 hope this 111 tie reminder will stir up some of the delinquents.—l am, etc., E. G. WOOD. Cambridge. February 20.