IN THE PUBLIC MIND

Auckland Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue 204, 28 August 1943, Page 4

IN THE PUBLIC MIND

J CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS ARMY ACCOUNTS (To the Editor) I have followed closely the ; of the Auditor-General and th , Public Accounts Committee on th ; stores account and note that tha committee considered the comrnem* i on the lack of proper accountant > methods pertaining to stores ann equipment in units of the active vices ' were justified, but I amazed to note that it made cle : that it was not possible to obtain . the qualified personnel necessary C I efficient checking. The question !, : Why? Where are our qualified accountants, who are serving and have been serving for the past thrpo ' years in our armed forces? It woulri - be interesting to check ut> m this. It would also be inter esting- to check up on thow ■ who are holding positions « accountants in the various unit? What is happening here in New Zpl' land I cannot say, but I know of some cases overseas where men who are not qualified accountants and have not held accountants' position* in civil life have been put R accountants (and given commie sions) over men who are qualifieri accountants and have given lentrtw and efficient service as such. If thi* sort of thing is happening i n home forces, and it may be what wonder then that the Auditor General had cause to criticise tfm accountancy methods. The enm mittee has taken a step in the rieht direction when it recommended tfiaf the fullest investigation of thp experience and qualifications of ail recruits should be made by qualified persons to ensure that the benefit nf their experience and ability would be available where it could be most profitably used. We have been at war for four'years. The above sten is long overdue, both for the sake? of efficient accountancy in the armpri forces and in fairness to our quali fied accountants. ACCOUNTS. PEACE In your columns the Rev Mr Chandler introduced the subject of prayer—this great power which is the property of every living soul born into this life. Its power is beyond measure—there is nothing that prayer will not obtain. If the peoples of all the world could get down to pray to Him, the whole atmosphere would be changed for the better, for He alone knows what is best. Sin, which most of us are likely to fall to, is the very obstacle to peace. If the world to-day would join in prayers for peace, then God would certainly bring a peace which surpasses all understanding. His command to the whole world is; "Ask and you shall receive." He in His wisdom, will grant what is best. Let us pray to Him with such confidence as a little child petitions its mother. No poor sinner is denied this great privilege. It is the want of prayer that has led the world into the strife in which we are now engulfed. It is only through prayer that true peace can be restored in the hearts of the people. WALTER P. DARBY. PENSIONS Having read with interest several letters re the above, let me quote my i own case. I am a widow receiving the widow's pension, and have two boys under 16 years. Up to July I have been receiving £10 4/9 per month; now with the increase to £11 1/ per month, or £2 15/3 per week. Now I ask you how can I feed and clothe two growing boys, pay rent, firing and lighting on £2 15/3 per week? I am definitely barred from earning. . anything at all, under penalty -of having my pension reduced. Take my neighbour, husband working, wife working parttime; total income about £8; also two boys going to school. Why should I be penalised because I am a widow? Surely, in ti>2se times we should be encouraged to work to earn what we can to assist us in giving our children the proper food, clothing and education that is necessary to the future well-being, as the children of to-day are the men of to-morrow. FAIR PLAY FOR ALL.

HARBOUR TRANSPORT Mr. H. T. Gibson states that the harbour bridge would have been built except for the war. This statement is very misleading and I trust not a prelude to an issue of further shares. No private firm would build a bridge without a guarantee from a responsible public body..The Auckland City Council and the Auckland Harbour Board recently again refused to sponsor the bridge proposition, the Devonport Borough Council having done so previously. The Government have stated nothing would be done without a thorough investigation of the tunnel scheme. This having not been done yet, all who are anxious to have the North Shore connected with the city should further the recent petition presented to Parliament K. STEWART.

CONCESSION ON TRAMS On a recent morning while travelling to the citj r I witnessed a very embarrassing discussion between a girl from the W.A.A.C. section of the armed forces and the conductor of a tram. Unfortun' g&i'y the Waac had • left her pass bJ®«»nd. As she could ; not present it, she had to pay the full fare, although she was wearing the regulation uniform. Is it fair girls, who have made big sacri- ' flees to help in our war effort, should be made to present these passes for ' the concession so generously given by the board? Why can't all personnel in the services be granted concessions similar to those in Australia and Wellington—ld and 2(1, respectively, any distance, so ' long as you are in a service uniform? FAIR PLAY. PACKED BUSES I read P.B.H.'s letter on this subject in Thursday's Star. What right has she, a mere 18-year-old girl, t° criticise people like myself. I have a large family and by the time I some of them to school, wash the dishes and clean up the house I am late getting to town to do my shopping. Perhaps when P.B.H. has a family to keep and the drudgery .01 housekeeping, she will expect tne younger sei to offer her their seats in public vehicles. , T MOTHER OF SEVEN. ARE WE TOUGH? Quite recently I met a United States sailor, who informed me thai he was 49 years of age. This man was returning to America as a severe malaria case. A few months . ago the Press published an account of the good work done by an American tank or jeep driver somewhere in Egypt. His age was given a s . s x years. We are classified as being too old at 40 years of age for overseas service. ARE WE?