IN THE PUBLIC MIND

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 107, 7 May 1943, Page 2

IN THE PUBLIC MIND

CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS

WATER AND HEALTH To The Editor It is deemed a wise policy for a water authority to anticipate water requirements for at least 30 years and a policy in outline to cover 50 or more years ahead, particularly in a climate which may be accepted semi-tropical. Rainfall conditions may not be favourable to water authorities who have to look to surface supplies made available by impounding dams or reservoirs. The question has arisen in the minds of the people whether dry seasons were-con-sidered when promoting and executing the present water schemes. Many advocates of small schemes would-be satisfied to continue to- exploit small schemes and continue ta build dams at great cost, Jcnowing fulPwellfthat the drift of population is ta the Waikato and surrounding districts. A simple plan of drawing water from the Waikato River, capable of supply, ing ail the water requirements of the city, towns and surrounding districts for all time, and the advantages of an immediate installation of a supply to deliver 15,000,000 gallons per day would not be in conflict with the existing supply authorities. This could be used as a standby service and would relieve all anxiety in regard to future shortage. E. H. POTTER.

NEW ZEALAND WINE

Your correspondent "P.G." contends that I am in error in stating that "New Zealand wine can be made without any inspection of the premises, utensils, ingredients, or processes of manufacture. It can be made under most unhygienic conditions and sold without analysis." In reply may I quote Mr. B. W. Lindeman, Government Viticulturist, who recently stated: "In a number of cases New Zealand wine is made under most unhygienic conditions; that 50 per cent of the whole is unsuitable for sale; that excessive quantities of water are used; that much of it is sold without being matured, and bottled before fermentation is completed." He urged the need of legislation to control the manufacture of New Zealand wine, stating: "It should be necessary for the Health Department to approve of the premises to be used before a license is granted. Under the law, as it is at present, the magistrate who issues the license is concerned only with the character of the applicant, not with the condition and suitability of his premises." "P.G." invites suggestions. May I respectfully urge that he manufacture unfermented wine from the pure juice of the grape—a real health-giving beverage—instead of the harmful, highly intoxicating wine described by Mr. Lindeman and other authorities, and so much sought after by the sly-grog seller. L. E. FAULKNER.

SLAVS AND THE AVAR

To prevent your readers from being misled about the activities of the Slavonic Council of New Zealand caused by a statement published in the Auckland Star of April 29, 1943, which reads: "A meeting of the Slavs to discuss the war effort and activities of the Slavonic Council held at Auckland under the auspices of the Croatian Benevolent Cultural Society, decided to dissolve /the Slavonic Council and to form in its place a truly broad democratic movement." On behalf of the members of the Slavonic Council I state definitely.that no-person or body of persons (with the sole exception of .the members of the society themselves in meeting assembled, and called for the particular purpose ,of dissolving the society) has any right whatever to say what' the society shall or shall not do. The Slavonic Council resents this high-handed action on the part of the members of any other organisation, and will pursue its constitutional course in the interests of the Slavonic communities in this Dominion. The Slavonic Council objects to the mixing of politics and ideologies with our patriotic struggle against the Axis Powers, and will do all in its power to prevent it. We stand inflexibly for solidarity of all Slavs with the United Nations, and loyalty to New Zealand. J. RUOS (president), Auckland Slavonic Council.

HOME SERVICE PERSONNEL

I was interested in "Sergeant's" article on the above subject. The time is opportune for us to organise. "Sergeant got £7 10/ for mufti allowance after two years, and I am pleased to see that Mr. Denham, M.P., was greatly responsible for men now being released obtaining mufti allowance after six months' service. I can send you, sir, correspondence received by me from Mr. Parry, M.P., on behalf of the Prime Minister, from Mr. Osborne, M.P., acting-Minister of Defence, stating that because I was granted "leave without pay" on January 24, 1942, after two years' service in New Zealand, I am not entitled to any mufti allowance whatsoever. I have seen service overseas, last war, joined up the first day of this war, and I cannot understand the treatment meted out to many in the same position as myself, especially by a Government who claim to have our interests at heart. DINK. Second Battalion N.Z.R.8., First N.Z.E.F.

CRUSADERS' BADGE

Re j 7 our subleader, "Men of the Eighth Army," in the Star of May 3, stating that returned men from this war have only the Returned Services' Association badge to mark their service, and advocating that some distinctive badge be issued to them, might I point out that such a badge is available and is at present being worn by members of the Second N.Z.E.F. Association. This small black badge with silver torch and letters 2 N.Z.E.F. is distinctive and can only be worn by men who have served overseas in this war. When I first put on civilian clothes on being placed "on leave without pay" I suffered some of the insults from the unthinking people you mentioned, but since pinning "the Torch of Liberty" on my coat I have been immune from any such further attacks. RETURNED SECOND ECHELON. REJECTED APPLES All the apples at the Star office, and likewise at Messrs. Yates, Ltd., apparently were sound, and left much doubt as to why they were rejected. Then the replies from Ministers of the Crown were much in favour of the soundness of Mr. Yozin's apples. It does seem strange, however, that the Minister of Broadcasting should receive a case of what he declares to be bad fruit and apparently none fit for eating. Perhaps this gentleman makes a habit of complaining. The weight of evidence is in favour of Mr. Yozin's fruit. UNBIASED.