PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21207, 2 September 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. CLOTHES FOR REFUGEES (To the Editor) Sir, —As one who has had the privilege of seeing something of the efforts of that small but energetic band of workers who for several weeks have been devoting most of their time to sorting and packing the clothes collected for refugees, I feel it my duty to draw attention through your columns to certain unpleasant aspects of this work which could be avoided if some people would only be more thoughtful when making up : parcels. : A large proportion of the articles I donated were in excellent condition, , many of them new, but some people I sent in rubbish which was in bad I condition. I wish to make an appeal :to those who wish to assist the reI fugees also to assist the sorters and | packers by making sure that the j articles they send in are in good and clean condition.—l am, etc., A. N. OBSERVER. Hamilton, August 31. MAORI HOSTEL (To the Editor) Sir, —Permit me per medium of this column to extend to the governing body of the affairs of the Maori hostel my humble congratulations as an observer, for the untiring energetic bearing exhibited by them in their honest endeavours, culminating in the granting of the Government subsidy for the erection of the building. The fostering of the spirit of unity between pakeha and Maori should, in itself, be a concern, and is necessary if the status of the Maori is to be elevated. Time is the surgeon that changes and the day shall dawn when members of the pakeha and Maori populace will greet each other without knowing their former racial distinction. With it therefore should come the ability to fill executive positions in numbers equal to the European, and on the basis that their educational privileges are on the same level. Why should not the Maori be able to assume such responsibilities and conduct his own affairs, and even sit in the position the present hostel committee now occupies, beside innumerable organisations that call for that necessary business acumen, leadership and foresight?—l am, etc., ORSON. Hamilton, August 29. NURSES’ CONDITIONS (To the Editor) Sir, —I was very pleased to read “Ratepayer’s” reply to “Esprit de Corps” in regard to our nurses’ pay and conditions. I am sure many more genuine ratepayers must feel ashamed of the way we treat our nurses. It is no use “Esprit de Corps” trying to belittle them. That is a paltry attempt to throw a smoke screen to cover what is undoubtedly an injustice to a wonderful section of the community. I am afraid the nurses will never receive justice until they combine and form their own union. —I am, etc.,

ANOTHER RATEPAYER, Matamata, August 30.

UNSEEN INVADERS (To the Editor) Sir, —The word espionage, although very frequently used, especially at this juncture, has yet to be thoroughly understood. The same applies to the term saboteurs. Sinister in its activities, espionage, with its masquerade of saboteurs, is the advance guard which prepares the way for the invading army. Saboteurs masquerade as lecturers, organisers of peace societies, etc. They get jobs here, there and everywhere. One may rub shoulders with them in field, factory, shop, office or warehouse. These information snatchers, what are they after? You well might ask. First the aspects of our national thoughts, from political, industrial and social angles; our trends in particular and in general; the number of mills, plants, factories, etc. This information is just as important to them as military and naval secrets. Here, mark you, the information thus obtained (which is a simple matter for a trained mind), especially as to industrial mobilisation, is sent on to perhaps Europe or Asia. Again saboteurs get jobs in aeroi plane factories (this is a happy huntj ing ground for these creatures), i munition plants, merchant ships, ' dockyards and fighting craft. Waiting i for orders from their chiefs, they j create a reign of terror by burning, wrecking and dynamiting. ! How can one pick the saboteur? | Well, they function in a very mysteri- ! ous way • their wonders to perform. I Here is a bit of a guide, however. 1 They praise the country for all they 1 are worth (which they are spying against) and run down to the very limit the country which they are i working for. So a flag-flapping jingo may be a saboteur after all. Beware ] of lip-service; it is deeds that count, j —I am, etc., HARRY WOODRUFFE. I Auckland, August 28.

RESPONSIBILITY OF UNIONISTS (To the Editor) Sir,—“Worker” in tonight’s Times makes a valiant attack on those trade unionists who are demanding an increase in wages. He refers to the tramwaymen’s demands as a “crude and grim joke,” because, having already received an 8 per cent rise, they are now asking for a further 5

per cent. In terms of hard cash this means that those men who were receiving £5 a week immediately prior to the last by-election are now receiving £5 Bs, and are asking that this be increased to £5 13s. “Worker” asks, “Are these serious and responsible men who realise that they can only extract from society a fair thing?” In 1938 there were 28,000 people in New Zealand drawing over £SOO a year, and 7716 drawing over £IOOO a year. Now when we know these figures (which, by the way, do not include dividends received from companies), “Worker’s” remarks are strange, to say the least. j “Worker” says “unionists have as j much responsibility to society as any | other section of the community.” I j heartily agree, but why must so- i ciety’s remuneration to unionists be J so out of proportion to their respon- j sibility? “Worker” says, “If one section de- I mands too much some other must go short.” Once more I agree, but who is getting too much, the 7716 who receive over £IOOO, or the men on £5 8s a week? “Worker” says “trade unionists criticise the Government for not making unlimited wealth available. I think they are only complaining because the Government has not made the distribution of existing wealth more equal.—l am, etc., G. A. CRABB. Frankton, August 31.