PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20738, 23 February 1939, Page 11

PUBLIC OPINION

As ex-pressed bv correspondents, whose letters are welcome but f or 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.

PHYSICAL FITNESS WEEK

•To the Editor) Rir,—l would like to draw the attention of the young men of New Zealand to the need to get fit and keep fit. When I was a lad of i A years of age I won the ino yards and was second in the mile school championship. To do this you have to go in for good training and look after yourself. I have been in all sorts of sports—football, hockey, boxing, running and wrestling. My main sport is running. I have, been in training all my life, especially for the 100 yards. I used to run with the late Lockie McLoeken. I have won many a 100 yards in good time and now I am well over 60 and still go in for the old buffers’ races of 100 yards. I have been beaten only onee. and that, was at the railway picnic, where I was second this year. 1 would give a word of advice to the young man who works inside all day. Try to walk to and from your work mornings and evenings, and go in for one of the sports 1 mentioned. You will soon get fit. Early to bed and early to rise will make you win a mile by surprise.—l am, etc.. J. MOODY. Hamilton, February 22. BANK DIVSDENDS 'To the Editor) Pir, —The trading banks are a standing object of attack by the Labour Party, and one of the chief charges against them is that they pay inordinate dividends. I'nless this charge is made by persons ignorant of the facts it can be regarded only as misrepresentation. I have found the following facts and figures in a recent issue of a financial magazine, and they clearly show the inaccuracy and absurdity of this particular charge. At the annual meeting the chairman of flic Union Bank of Australia stated that in New Zealand taxation had absorbed virtually all the profits made by the bank: yet we have been told that New Zealand is one of the lightest-taxed countries in th.e world. On the contrary, it is one of the highest, taxed, if not, the very highest taxed country in the world. Reverting to banks, it is sufficient to say that dividends are declared upon paid-up capital only, but that all our banks have during their history built up from past profits reserves to about the amount of the paid-up capital, and that the working capital comprises both. The follow-

A perusal of the table shows that the declared dividend of a bank must be halved in order to find the rate of profit on the capital employed, and that the charge that banks make too big profits has no foundation in fact. —I am, etc., A. WAR B URTON. Ngaruawahia, February 21. THE NATIONAL PARTY (To the Editor) Sir. —A suitable modern version of the old song, “Who’ll take care of the caretaker’s daughter while the caretaker's busy taking care?’’ would be, “ Who’ll educate the National Party while the National Party is busy educating everybody else?” It is all to the good that the National Party is commencing to realise Us mistake when in office of cutting down expenditure on education and is striving to make up lost ground at its own expense. Its proposed compaign to educate the common herd may do something to counter the belief which has gained ground that the National Party stands more in need of education than the rest of us. Although it may not be easy to convince the average elector on the soundness of a policy of letting Ne\v Zealanders starve whenever prices fall in another country, much may be accomplished by perseverance. While electors may find it difficult to understand that the only method of generating prosperity known to Nationalists is the manufacture of arms, this is a matter which can easily be sidestepped at a public meeting. And if some unruly Douglasite should inquire why the National Party permitted poverty to exist in the midst of plenty one can always call for the police.—l am, etc., TOUCHSTONE. •Hamilton, February 22.

BIRTH CONTROL

• (To the Editor) Sir.—T find that T have been inadvertently doing Mr James an injustice in assuming that lie did not reply lo my allegation that the Church of Rome permitted two methods of birth control. My attention has. however, been directed to his denial of my statement in a letter which had escaped my notice. In further reply to him, might I mention that Papal authority for the practice of one method of birth control is to be found in the Encyclical of 1030. Reference to the two methods permitted is also to bo found in Griffith's “Modern Marriage and Birth Control.” while more detailed study of the Roman Catholic position is to be found in Mullins’ “Marirage. Children and God.” Your correspondent denied that any methods were allowed by the Church of Rome, yef we find Slopes devoting an entire hook to “Roman Catholic Methods of Birth Control.” The inference is obvious. The religious aspects of the problem will also be found discussed in the learned doctor’s other work. “Contraception.” T find it difficult to imagine how Mr James can quarrel with these authorities. especially that of the Church, and if I may do so I would suggest that this correspondence should he closed, at least for sufficient time to enable Mr Marcus St. B. James to learn something of the subject from the sources 1 have indicated —I am. etc., PERTINAX. Hamilton. February 22.

GALLOWAY PARK STADIUM

To the Editor) Sir.—-Keen interest has been evoked by llie publication in the Waikato Times of Ihe plan of the proposed stadium at Galloway Park. The plan seems to he an excellent one. excepting in one respect. Has any provision, been made for seating accommodation on the terraces? Surely it is not ox- i ported that the public will stand throughout a sports fixture. May I suggest that, consideration be given to the practicability of constructing narrower terraces with wooden seating provided on every one? If that is done the stadium will offer a much ; stronger attraction to the general public, for the stand will not accommodate half the crowd at many fixtures.—l am, etc., COMFORT. Hamilton, February 22. MONETARY REFORM (To the Editor) Sir.—ln your issue of February 15 Mr Kenah lias made an effort to answer my exposure of his previous incorrect statements regarding myself. T am very much disappointed at the lone of Mr Kenah’s letter, as I did expect some expression of regret from him at having wrongfully accused me of advocating at the late election other than I did. His statements were not only emphatic, but he stated he had plenty of proofs. In his reply Mr Kenah made statements which were not even evidence, and decidedly not proofs. It is my intention to again seek election as a member of the House, consequently such manufactured chartres against my political principles are decidedly injurious. The public of Hamilton has long owed a debt of gratitude to the man-

agement of the Waikato Times, for there is no paper in New Zealand which gives such opportunities in the correspondence columns for the discussion of any subject that has a reasonable opportunity of ventilating weaknesses in our social administration. It. is a real pleasure to read the remarks of writers taking up the opposite sides of some such subjects, and it. is seldom we find such correspondents deviating from the rules of courtesy and sportsmanship. I have noticed the numerous epistles emanating from the nen of Mr Kenah, and I have noticed he does not seem anxious to obtain information from other writers. He knows it all, even in his correspondence with myself and other writers on monetary reform.

Mr Kenah (admitting that, he does not understand the subject) attacks writers with ridicule and sarcasm. Now sarcasm is effective only when barbed with truth, tempered with justice or feathered with wit. Otherwise (as in Mr Kenah’s nase) sarcasm becomes a boomerang, turning the laugh against t.he writer.

Compared with the conditions that obtained 50 years ago, our people are living in a condition of comfort and luxury. For this we have to thank thousands of noble men and women reformers of many different lines of thought who have devoted their time and money to improving the lot of the people. The good work is still being carried on by the same class of reformer, and those who differ with the details of proposed reforms have a duty to themselves and the public by drawing out the advantages or otherwise of the subject under consideration. Mr Kenah does not submit constructive subjects or measures for our consideration; he appears to be a born iconoclast, and specialises in smashing ideals submitted for our consideration. Tt. does not take much intelligence to unfairly criticise a subject, but I would remind Mr Kenah that “he never tastes who always drinks” and “he always talks who never thinks.” As one who has sought the confidence of the public. I am quite prepared to take my share of criticism in its many forms, but I will not submit to inaccurate statements made against me without defending myself. Therefore *1 challenge Mr Kenah to meet me in public v debate to prove his statements ami charges. To make it easier for him T will meet him in the Town Hall. Raglan, on a suitable date and leave the issue to the public.—l am, etc., A. J. OALLK2HAN. Hamilton, February 21.

ins' table is instructive: — Paid-up Hank. ranttal. Australasia .. £{. 500.000 Com. or A list. . . £*,000.000 National N.Z. . . £2,ooo.ooo New South \Vale<; £8.780,000 New Zealand . . £3,750,000 Union of Aust. . . £ i,000,000 ■Reserves. £{.680,000 £2.350,000 £1.61 3,000 £6,295.000 £3,948,000 £1,995,000