PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20919, 26 September 1939, Page 9

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondents whose letters are welcome, but lor 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 o£ good laith. Unless this rule is complied with, their letters will not appear. WAR RESTRICTIONS (To the Editor) Sir, —The present conditions permit ol excuses lor the deticiences ol the present administration to be placed upon the scapegoat of war. importers are finding things extremely difficult in obtaining goods that are essential to the continuing of business. The result will be that in the near future the expediency of socialisation of industry will become an accomplished iact. The precipitation of war conditions will permit the Labour Party to enforce its socialistic programme to the full, and at the same time excuse itself of its past mistakes by an abnormal environment.—l am, etc. ONLOOKER. Hamilton, Sept. 2i» PACIFISTS AND CONSCRIPTION (To the Editor) Sir, —The exponents of a pacific attitude are going strong in the columns of the pi ess and the Christian attitude towards war is being ventilated fully from certain quarters. It appears to me that the whole question is out of date and futile because we are at war. The control of action resides in right thinking; when that 1 thought is transferred to deeds it is too late to endeavour to stem the tide of the logical results. Once the seeds are sown it is impossible to stop the harvest. Hence, all discussion as to rights and wrongs falls to the ground. No argument is available when guns are facing each other. Furthermore, the debaters do not face up to the fact that we are living in Pagan times. The obvious fact is that we have to get the job done, and done as quickly as possible. It needs every person’s help and active support. Conscription is the way out. On the other hand, it is not too early to discuss the attitude of the public towards the issues at stake when the settlement arrives. Those who talk of refusing to tight, of raising points of ethics, etc., are as bad as the enemy. Instead of wasting pen and ink, not to mention a waste of brain energy, let us get a move on to smash Prussianism for all time. Let us all get busy with the job u ' -d—l am, etc., FELLS. Hamilton, Sept. 25. FATE OF LINER BREMEN (To the Editor) Sir, —While we admit that we must possess ourselves in and submit to a rigid censorship of news that comes from the theatres of war, or from elsewhere, if full information is likely to assist the enemy, it seems there have been many occasions recently when news has been suppressed unnecessarily. The case of the German liner Bremen is one in point. Almost every day since the outbreak of war there has been a fresh story of the ship's movements, but not one authentic statement regarding her fate, in spite of the fact that the position must be perfectly well known to the authorities, including Germany. A great liner like the Bremen cannot possibly flit about the world without being followed closely by the authorities of friendly as well as of enemy countries. Perhaps there is some reason why the fate of the ship should be hidden from the public, but surely it is not supposed that Germany is ignorant of the full facts. One of the »im» should be to inspire confidence in the news approved by the censors. But why the censorship should prefer to allow the circulation of rumours rather than authentic news about the Bremen must, apparently, in the meantime remain one of the riddles of the war to most people. It cannot be said that the British censorship has been conducted with conspicuous brilliance up to the present time, though there has been some improvement of late. It seems to the writer that more of the truth could be revealed. The truth may not always be palatable, but it is a British characteristic to wish to be taken into the confidence of the national leaders as far as possible. If the nation does sometimes suffer reverses the people’s morale is such that they would respond with even greater vigour when they know that greater ellort is required. It is not suggested that news of drastic happenings may be suppressed, but there does seem to be undue secrecy over the smaller things.—l am, etc., TRUTH. Hamilton, Sept. 25.