IN THE PUBLIC MIND.

Auckland Star, Issue 154, 2 July 1934, Page 6

IN THE PUBLIC MIND.

1 JEAN BATTEN'S GRANT, GOVERNMENT DEFENDED. (To the Editor.) Lj ifc possible tliat any Aucklander could descend to question the small grant an honourable and dutiful grant—an acknowledgment for something that enriches the pndo and applause of every real New Zealandcr? Or to make such irrelevant comparisons as the "starvation of mothers battling against life with seven children"? No one in this country could make a charge of such extreme negligence of its people. People who stai\o hcio have only two reasons, pride and in so young a country teeming with possibilities, an unemployed fund arid endless charitable institutions. If "C.J.M." or Mr. O Halloran must heckle the Government, they might find a more poignant reason than Miss Batten, and show a little chivalry towards the country s guest. We can depend on it that the future will demand of us grit, courage and tenacity of purpose, and I say the gallant little lady a chance to prove the value of her courageous flight and'its inspiration, and even a chance to battle with life as a mother of seven. Had she been he, a Wrestler or a movie star, the way would have been carpeted and strewn with flowers and pound notes. The Government, whatever its faults, has not lacked courage to do its duty for the people of this country, and it is to be respected rather than criticised. The people of New Zealand fail to see that history has been made for them and their remote country, and instead of rejoicing that at last some worthy reward is forthcoming they bemoan a mercenary sacrifice. The Australian people gave their wholehearted appreciation, and unhesitatingly extended a generous hospitality to Miss Batten, but in her own native land it is all they can do to raise a cheer. What should be-done is that Miss Batten's 'plane should be installed in the Museum and a new 'plane presented to her by the people to carry on the good work. Twenty-four and the world at her feet! Surely tliis means New Zealand, too —or haven't they a soul above their pocket.s? A SCHOOLMATE. IMPORTERS' FEDERATION. The recent statement of the Importers' Federation in continuance of the controversy with the Minister of Finance over the Government's exchange policy is a remarkable document. It would appear to totally ignore the most pressing problem with which this country has ever been faced. Surely some of these gentlemen of business acumen realise that it is of little" avail to decry the fixed rate of exchange now operating without exhibiting for consideration some alternative form of relief for the farmer. Perhaps a few people do not yet realise that the collapse of the exporting primary producer would bririg about the total collapse of business of every kind. Get your costs down! To sell butterfat at (kl per pound? Business will pick up again. Something miraculous will occur to bring about a trade revival'.and restore prosperity. Be British and sit tight! Pluck or stupidity? The problem is, of course, elementary. One simple solution thereof (guaranteed prices) is being widely explained, but, by comparison with wrestling and racing, it is a very uninteresting topic. Remedial proposals are nowbeing put forward in the House by Mr. H. G. R. Mason. All moonshine, of course! Why, our importers even imagine some (unexplained) connection 'between the retiring of Treasury bills with Reserve Bank notes and the dread monster "Inflation." One might well ask, with Mr. Coates, what oil earth they mean. A mere increase in the quantity of banknotes cannot possibly effect harm (or good) to anybody or anything outside of the parties concerned in this transaction. When will the business man wake up? F. H. ADAMS. METHODS OF SELLING FRUIT. •I have on many occasions at meetings and by letters to the Press endeavoured to convince fruit exporters that the board's adoption of selling by auction at Spitalfields, London, in preference to private treaty' selling in Covent Garden, was not only a retrograde movement, •but also a serious loss in* realisation to exporters. The results in 1933 were such as to cause agitation enough amongst growers, more especially in Hawke's Bay, to really compel the board to at least a partial return to privato treaty sales in Covent Garden for 1934, but the board's persistence in continuing selling 'by auction at Spitalfields has undoubtedly thwarted the best efforts of Covent Garden salesmen this season. I am in the position to quote from a trade price list issued by a wholesale fruit merchant with headquarters at Spitalfields. The list is dated April 23, 1934, and amongst the various items is tho following: "New Zealand apples, Jonathan, ex fancy, 8/ to 8/9; fancy, 7/9 to 8/0. (These are auction priccs. You will notice that wo can save you money by buying in auction, as the prices privately for these are for ex fancy, 10/; fancy, 9/6.)" There you have the Spitalfields auction sales condemned from Spitalfields. There is no secrecy or mystery in tho issue of these price lists, as they are mailed to all wholesale fruit merchants throughout the United Kingdom. J. L. BROWN. Redwoods Valley, Nelson. DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT. A recent writer to the "Star," commenting on Parliament extending its life by one year, mentioned that the Prime Minister had stated, that it could extend its own life to 999 years if it chose. Numerous opinions arc that its action in doing so was unconstitutional. Parliament is supreme and can do anything. When passing an Act, by adding some such words as these: "Notwithstanding anything to tho contrary in any other Act," it overrides any previous legislation. If something unusual is to be done a precedent is looked for. If one is not found the result is the same, but if it is found, it is supposed to disarm criticism. The public has one remedy. If a Government passes an Act which receives such hostile criticism that it is compelled to rescind it, it will certainly • act as deterrent to future Governments attempting similar tactics, and in that case will be A genuine precedent or warning. It therefore behoves all citizens to sign tho petition now in circulation asking the Governor-General to dissolve Parliament at the end of tho three years for which it was elected. If it is wished to extend the term of the next Parliament to four years, let them tell lis so before the election. C. R. McDONALD. CONDITIONS IN ENGLAND. "Englishman" says that Dr. Bryden's comments sound absurd. I say they are absurd. Anyone would think that Englishmen had. a real treat on Sundays if they had a cabbago or cauliflower. Did Dr. Bryden never see any curly greens, savoys, spring cabbage, not to mention brussels sprouts, at 2d, not Cxi, per lb, and how could they keep their good teeth and lovely complexions if they did not eat plenty of greens? One must admit that tho majority are a healthy-looking lot. I cannot | say much about meat, but I certainly do not | seem to remember having it «s a luxury. I Maybe Dr. Bryden only meant certain parts, i but he should say which parts, so as not to j mislead the people. There was always plenty of greens; even the poorer people had their j cabbago. BIRMINGHAM.