PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20988, 15 December 1939, Page 9

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondents whose letters are welcome, bat tor 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 Unless this rule is complied with, their letters will not appear.

BOW HITLER CONTROL*

(To the Editor) Sir, —More than 2,000,000 Nazi officials, the reflection of regimentation, coercion and restraint, have taken charge of the German people, according to Herr Fritz Menhert, a Nat. leader and member of the National Socialist Party. These socialist officials include 450,000 “block and cell” leaders in charge of families, 250,000 organisers of public opinion, 767,000 labour front leaders in charge of workmen, 280,000 welfare leaders in charge of the poor, 48,000 agricultural officials in charge of peasants, 77,000 in charge of war cripples, 67,000 in charge of Government servants and teachers, 95,000 women officials in charge of 'German women. There are also millions of Hitler Youth boys and girls, storm troopers, black guards, secret police, contact men and women, also spies by the thousand. Thus the huge Socialist State machine has taken entire charge of the German people, so as to ensure unity between Hitler and the masses.—l am, etc., HARRY WOODRUFFE. Auckland, December 13.

MASS MEETING

(To the Editor) Sir, —“Onlooker” has taken our member to task for not attending the importers’ meeting. The invitation he received was to the effect that he would not be required to speak. He w as to stand, cap in hand, to receive anything that was thrown to him in the way of pre-arranged resolutions. The same job could have been done with a twopenny stamp; an expensive telegram was used instead. I understand that our member is working 50 to 60 hours a week on a recess committee that was dealing with the difficulties that the war has brought about in business, and, I suggest, was serving the interests of his constituents better in Wellington than by being a glorified messenger boy in Hamilton. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and the Government must be given credit for being one jump ahead of both England and Australia with money control and import restrictions. Surely these silly people realise that apart from the war our creditors will be calling to collect £100,000,000 or so within the next ten years, and they won’t take secondhand “gee-gaws” for it either. —I am, etc., LOOKING FORWARD. Hamilton, December 14.

CALL TO WAR—ON THE FARMS

(To the Editor) Sir, —In the enormous amount of criticism that has been levelled at the Government, and in the equally voluminous propaganda which has been written and broadcast in reply regarding alleged war measures and methods of increasing production, there has been little new in the arguments. In fact, the persistent criticism of stereotyped style and the often pointless and weak retorts ot the Government become fatiguing. To say the least of it, both sides are often tremendously puerile in their argument. In the throes of war the country should marshall its resources. Obviously production is our first line of attack against the food-rationed enemy, and because France is sending troops back from the lines and England is not rushing reinforcements, it is apparent that man-power is not yet required on the battlefronts. With the advent of the European spring men may be required, and in that case New Zealand must have soldiers trained. But ie our judgment becoming lop-sided? In the cloud of political difference* and the rush to build up our fighting forces, are we not neglecting production? It must be admitted that if talk could be, by a miracle, transferred into farm labour, our production figures would soar. Everyone, most particularly the Government, is failing to tackle the problem in a statesmanlike manner and, with propaganda, the Ministers are sidetracking the issue while deceiving the majority of the people into accepting the impression that genuine efforts are being made to ensure the nour ishment of the millions in England. With the need for increasing production obvious, it could be emphasised that some manner of assistance to the farmer by way of interest-free money is imperative, but there is another line of action which must be considered. The nation is recruiting men for the battlefield. Has it occurred to the Government that men should be recruited for the farm? England has its Land Army of young women. New Zealand should have its Land Army of men, conscripted if necessary, to fight the Empire s cause, not on the field of battle, but cn the farm—New Zealand’s most powerful weapon for Empire assistance. Money can be found for military recruits; it can be found for Land Army recruits. It would give me pleasure, sir, to serve my country as the— FIRST LAND ARMY VOLUNTEER. Hamilton, December 14.