What Our Readers Are Thinking

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 39, 16 September 1949, Page 4

What Our Readers Are Thinking

Though their views on all subjects are freely . published here because we believe it our duty to uphold the public’s right to freedom of opinion, our correspondents’ opinions are not necessarily shared by this newspaper.

WHAKATANE PRICES

Sir.—As newcomers to the town, we hoped and intended to deal locally as much- as possible, but have found that so many things procurable in small places like Waimana, Taneatua, Matata and Te Puke, are unobtainable or too costly here. For quite a number of ar'tiicles" it is worth one’s while to journey., as far afield as Rotorua. If Whakatane wants a share of the trade of coming places like Murupara and Galatea it wil have to make many changes in its outlook. We understand that McKenzie’s or Woolworth’s would open a store here were a building available. In the interests of “that least considered person, the consumer,” it is a pity there is not one. With all due respect to the’ President of the Whakatane Retailers’ Association, we have found that it is the imported article, English or Canadian, that is cheaper or better than- the local product, the position not being as stated in the explanation given with regard to the trousers. Yours etc., NOT STUNG.

WIFE BEATING

Sir,—Allow me to rush' in where Magistrates do not fear to tread., as a long sufferer from hen-peckism. I was delighted to read Mr W. Carol Harley’s ruling on the above subject. In my opinion he is deserving of the Noble Peace Prize. I had only to show the article in the pape:-: to my wife and she capitulated immediately after 30 years of war. Not so my’ neighbour’s wife. Her husband had not been known to smile for’24i- years (he is married exactly 25 years). Imagine my surprise this morning when be appealed on my farm ail smiles and gleeful chuckles. His first words were “He’s right.” On being asked to explain he said: “Mr Harley - of course, I tried it and it worked although not without a struggle. I used the rubber piping I used on the cows. I used to use an iron bar on the cows but I found it impaires their future usefulness so would not risk it on the wife even without Mr Harley’s ruling.” I suggest all married men join Harley ism to fight hen-peckism and the world will be a happy place once more. Incidentally my neighbour is studying the Bible and writing to Mr Harley for a ruling on i’nlawism. . Yours etc., ’ MANCIPATED.

LIQUOR LICENSES Sir, —In reply to your correspondent ' “Democrat” I would like to say that during rush periods I have had to jostle to get a drink in- a local hotel bar. But for the fact that I happen to be tall enough to reach over the heads of the front rows of drinkers, I'would have had much more difficulty in securing a drink. I say definitely, that the present drinking facilities are inadequate. Yours etc., “SOBER SAM” Sir, —For the third time I find it necessary to rebuke “Democrat” who obviously is the same writer as “Democracy” in your earlier issues. In his last letter he states, “It is now clear that to secure the licenses, the need for additional drinking facilities must . be proved with facts” etc. No such thing is clear and the Chamber of Commerce in its published statements has never appeared to be desirous of proving any such thing. The Chamber has been interested primarily in securing additional accommodation for the travelling public. *' The Licensing Control Commission has invited citizens to consider this question and its authority to do so arose from the findings of the Royal Commission, which heard evidence from all angles, including Temperance ' advocates. It may be unfortunate that to secure more accommodation it seems necessary to have more liquor licenses. It is a fact that there are hundreds of licensed hotels in New Zealand supplying first class accommodation. Unfortunately unlicensed hotels supplying first class accommodation are extremely rare and where they do exist, it is suspected that they are applying for licenses now that they have the opportunity. It is a concession to have “Democrat” admit, that even boarding house vacancies are often hard to find and that there is need for more accommodation in Whakatane.

On these points at least he is at one with the Chamber oi Commerce/ who will be grateiui for bis support. Yours etc.. “ANTI DICTATOR” Sir, —Your correspondent ('Democrat” in his latest letter asks question's. Spacq# would hardly b'eavailable to answer them ail. He asks: “If two additional licenses do not mean increased drinking facilities, then what are they for?'.’ The

answer is that an hotel vise is required to provide more accommodation for visitors, and the wholesale license is to reduce the price of bulk liquor and eliminate legal humbug in purchasing liquor for consumption away from an hotel.

He asks another question: “What difference is there between one bottle depot and another?” The chief difference is that at the hotel bottle, depot, retail price is charged whereas at the licensed wholesale depot, wholesale price is charged. The difference therefore, is considerable. “Democracy” 1 keeps' harping on the question of increased drinking - facilities. Existing licenses could provide increased facilities foijf drinking if they chose and no on<w>, could stop them but as you so ably pointed out in your leading article last week, it would not necessarily increase drinking. There are so many things that increase facilities for drinking. If a licensee installed a modern hygienic quick operating glass washing machine, it would -increase facilities for drinking. A' reduction in taxation would have the same effect. If the wharfies worked harder, the ships would turn around more quickly and increase the facilities for bringing liquor into the country. But these wouldn’t be bad things. Even a vote on the liquor question can increase facilities for _ drinking. It did so at Invercargill,at Masterton and at Ashburton in recent years. If “Democrat” really wants a vote of any phases of the licensing question, he will have to approach the Government, his local member, or both. As you have already pointed out in your footnote, the Chamber of Commerce has no authority to take a ballot.

“Democrat” may be interested to know that in Queensland the hotels open until 10 p.m. and wine shops are as plentiful as confectioners.

Yours etc., “ANOTHER DEMOCRAT”