PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21194, 17 August 1940, Page 9

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondents whose 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 faith. Unless this rule is complied with, their letters will not appear. TOWN BEAUTIFUL (To the Editor) Sir, —Your correspondent, “Civis,” has certainly touched upon the weak spot in the endeavour to beautify Hamilton. In almost all cases where property is publicly owned good work has been done and the town is the better for it. The rest seems to be up tc private citizens. In my own locality there are premises which are the reverse of reasonable tidiness and are. in fact, as “Civis” says, an absolute eyesore. Compulsion may be out of the question, and in any case it should not be necessary. Efficiency goes with orderliness and civic pride is good business. The man who does not blush when his property presents an eyesore to the public is lacking in good citizenship.—l am, etc., SIDE-STREET. Hamilton, August 16. SULPHUR OR POLLEN? (To the Editor) Sir, —Several reports have been heard recently that deposits of sulphur have been found on stagnant water in the Waikato. The supposition is that the “sulphur” comes from White Island, which recently has been unusually active. Without wishing to appear unduly sceptical the writer would like to ask those upon whose property the “sulphur” has been found whether there are any wattle trees within a reasonable radius. I too have seen a yellow sulphur-like substance deposited upon water and upon the ground quite considerable distances from profusely flowering wattles, and I have no doubt that it was pollen. Perhaps I am wrong, but I think that sulphur, even if it could be borne 100 miles on the air from White Island, would sink if it fell upon water. The yellow pollen of the wattle would float and it is cer tainly deceiving.—l am, etc., POLLEN. Hamilton. August 15. FIGHTERS FOR BRITAIN (To the Editor) Sir, —It was with feeli’ngs of pride that the writer heard of those present at the annual meeting of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company making their decision to give voluntary subscriptions for the purchase of a fighter plane for Britain. That is the Empire’s great need. Subscriptions for comforts for soldiers and for the relief of distress are desirable and commendable, but above all Britain needs the means to smash the enemy’s attack now. All over the Empire and in some foreign lands men who have the means are coming to the aid of Britain with funds to buy more and more aeroplanes. Hitler has chosen the weapons and is using all the strength in the air that he can muster to rain death on our kith and kin in Britain. We must beat him at his own game. If he sends hundreds of planes to bomb Britain we must meet him with equal or superior numbers and drive him away. Dairy company suppliers quickly subscribed hundreds of pounds for the purpose. Other institutions and private persons throughout the country could not do better than follow this example. They may not be able to render personal service, but when the war Is over they will be proud that they helped to win by equipping our airmen with the means to match Hitler’s legions.—l am, etc.,

GIVE HIM BEANS. Hamilton, August 16.