PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20822, 5 June 1939, Page 9

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed try correspondents ■wrtiose 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 fair. Unless this rule Is oomplied with, their letters will not appear.

COMPETITIONS AT SHOW (To the Editor) Sir,—ln “Parent's” letter of May 31 1 flnd Just what mother ordered. 1 emphatically hack her up. Apart from the imposition of chaining mothers escorting their children to the competition, some inoLhers are there every day, ail day, and ag%jn in the evening, which means, if the) want to rush to town between da Acs to i=et a bite lor Popa's tea, they are not even entitled to a pas* speaking as one of the many fed up parents, 1 only to pay to see the "how once, not every time 1 have to v » : lk through on the way lo the dance hah. However, i sincerely hope this sort of thing will kill the goose that laid tne guinea egg. Jt will;. —1 am, YES. I'M LATE. Hamilton, June 3. WHY NO BROADCAST? (To the Editor) sir,—Last night (Thursday) a spieudid audience in the Town Hali, Auckland, listened with rapt attention to the firs- pun lie address of Mr J. KmimainurU since his return to this country, it being live years since he was here last. Who will question tiiat Mr Krishnainurti is an outstanding world figure, also that he is a man with a great love lor humanity, a true humanist and realist ' Then, why was his address not broadcast? Ibis is a question 1 would like to ask every supporter of our present (Government, it is a pertinent question because of the circumstances of his last visit to this country, when lie was likewise denied a broadcast, uur present Government was then the Opposition, and Labour men at that time were among Uiuse who raised a hue and cry over this refusal, alleging that it revealed a dictator's hand on tne part of the Government then in. power. Following closely on the heels of Mr lvi'ishnamurli came the celebrated Socialist idol, Mr Bernard Shaw, and if memory is correct he was granted broadcasting privileges. And, be il Mid, be was lair-minded enough to protest against the manner iu which Mr KriahnamurU had been discriminated against. Mow we have Mr Shaw’s admirers in power, and history blandly repeats itself 1 The only concluaion that can be drawn is that no Government dare lace the truth as spoken by a great and fearless individual. Had the Government been somewhat more confident in iu despotic power, our friend might has been refused even a landing here, but it is to be hoped it will never come to that; and surely the majority are growing tired of all this exclusiveness, this nationalistic propaganda and otherwise doctored spoon-feeding served out by the broadcasting system of this country. If not, I will say it is a sad lookout.— 1 am, etc., £, HAM SEN. Beeville, June 2. WARS DO NOT “BREAK OUT** (To the Editop) Sir, —Since the dreadful possibility of "war breaking out” seems to be with us for breakfast, dinner and tea, would it not be wise to dissect the phrase a little ? A certain well-known Australian statesman once declared that "war just came—we knew not how, or why.” And the average citizen and cilizeuess appear to cling to this point of view, silly though it is. The very words "breaking out ” seem to suggest something sudden and terrifying. But war is not such a casual, Topsylike affair as this, springing out of the nowhere, without lather or mother. Instead, war is just a business, plotted, planned, prepared, sometimes years ahead, just like any other business. It has its different "departments,” each with its own manager and staff of subordinates, one looking after transport; another clothing, another commissariat, etc. Every detail is worked out to the last degree. War s reviews, manoeuvres, parades and such things may be called "business rehearsals,” to make sure that all the "assistants” know their proper places, and that there is no hitch in the arrangements for the igreat sale. Mow all the nations are engaged in the same line of business; all bave the same "goods” for sale. It is just a race between business rivals to see who shall open up all the latest and most attractive novelties first. Then the nation (shop; that gets its business stocked up and ready first, fires a gun—and the premises are "ready for business.” The unfortunate part of it all is tl;at the "goods” to be handled at the great sale are .so deadly that both the customers the "aggressor” nations), who are Invited to sample them and the "assistants” who sell them for their bosses (the "defender” nations) get nothing out of the silly business but death, disease or mutilation. War i 6 not even what some people call it, "a game." Nothing so romantic or so adventurous—just plain, sordid commercialism. And there is no sentiment in business, says your hardbeaded commerciahst—neither is there in war. This side of the "business” has been brought home to us very vividly of late, in the so-called crisis week (one might more truly call it the boost for big business' week), actual armament share's, munitions of war, went up to near.y twice their weekiK.forc value. And taking advantage of the rush air-raid shelter stunt, those with the materials required for the buildins- of these put up their wares to exactly double! iKemembering, too, that on the other side of the account there were men. women and little children shocked and scared, some of them almost to the point of Insanity, one can hardly help exclaiming: A beautiful business truly —a "great sale" but it is we, tbe people, who arc ‘sold.’ The only danger of any sudden “breaking out" lies in the fact that "curiosity killed the cat,” says an old saw. Curiosity allied lo a natural impatience to try out all these new and marvellous war gadgets, may lead some Irresponsible fool to literally drop a match on the bonfire of world armament*. And Uxen reprisals, court-