PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21362, 5 March 1941, Page 7

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondentwhose letters are welcome, but foi whoso 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, then letters will not appear. STOPPING WAR (To the Editor.) Sir,—There is a simple way m which we can stop all warfare, \vhile we consider war as wicked, it will always have fascination. When it is looked upon as vulgar, it will cease to be popular. Unpopularity, like laughter, will murder anything. —I am, etc., REGINALD BUNTHORNE. Hamilton, March 4. THE CIVIL SERVICE (To the Editor.) Sir, —“ Fair Play ” states that “The methods of the Civil Service are the direct reflection of the politicians in the form of the Government.” Those who know of the English Civil Service will support me on the following points: (1) Advancement. The Civil Service fawns more sycophantically than ever upon superior officials. (2) Deadly crime. The Civil servant must not exceed his function. (3) He refuses to give information as it is not in the public interest. He wracks his brains to find a non-com-mittal phrase. The Civil Service must be purged of nervousness, lethargy and hypocrisy, and the House of Commons must free itself from the bondage of whipocracy. How much the Civil Service is contaminated with these faults in New Zealand I do not know', but I am certain that as the conditions of service here follow the service in England, the results must be near enough to be true. As to the whipocracy in New Zealand, events prove that this factor is very strong. —I am, etc., SOCRATES. Hamilton, March 4. CHURCHILL’S HUMANITY (To the Editor.) Sir, —Many people think that England’s Prime Minister is a ruthless man. As far back as 1920-22 he advocated friendship with Germany. He was laughed to scorn in the House of Commons when he suggested that 15 ships full of food be sent to Hamburg to feed starving Germans; he suggested lifting the blockade and liberated 100,000 German prisoners caged up in the Pas de Calais; he opposed the French occupation of the Ruhr. As far back as 1935, he told the British Government to keep friends with Italy. In 1937 he appealed to both dictators that “ having won so much, they should allow success to bring a mellow, genial air.” His personal detective stated that “Mr Churchill did more than any other man to bring a lasting peace to Ireland.” It is history how Mr Churchill made good, as far as possible, the promises made to Lawrence of Arabia to the Arabs. He stated his views as follows: In war, resolution; in defeat, defiance; in victory, magnanimity; in peace, goodwill. His family motto is “ Faithful but unfortunate.”—l am, etc., HISTORICUS. Hamilton, March 4. THIS LIBERTY (To the Editor.) Sir, —Your correspondent “ Tudor and Stuart,” has brought before the public what is without doubt the greatest question of the day—the preservation of our ancient liberties. Since the accession to power of the Socialists these have been not whittled, but slashed away. The only inference that can be drawn from the policy of the predominant political party during the last five years is that this party aims at transforming the free British citizens of New Zealand into the slave citizens of a Socialist State. A great English Socialist says that the first step to the nationalisation of all the property in a country is to abrogate that section of the Great Charter that grants the right of access to the King’s justice to any citizens who thinks, rightly or wrongly, that he has suffered, or is suffering, an injustice. The mutilation of that great safeguard of our individual liberty was one of the first acts of the present Government. The result is that various Ministers have been granted unlimited and unchallengeable powers so that the citizen of New Zealand holds certain of his property and his liberty, not by indefeasible right and by law, but by ministerial whim. One of the leading principles of our constitution has been abrogated—a principle firmly established four centuries ago. It is that of the responsibility of Ministers of the Crown. Hal lam says that at 1485 this was a firmly established part of the constitution. Ministers could not even plead the express Royal command if they were attacked in the courts for doing something that someone thought unjust or harmful. This great prop of British liberty has been torn out of the New Zealand constitution and thrown away.—l am, etc.. A. WAR BURTON. Ngaruawahia, March 3.