CORRESPONDENCE.

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20790, 25 February 1933, Page 11

CORRESPONDENCE.

■ Co-ftmManU who do nos comply with rules set tout in the last column of our Kwd'ar P»S« will excuse us from noticiiiff IjKU leltarJ. the wool sales. 10 Titß WITOB 01' TBS PBE33. s(r,— It could hardly be expected Christchurch wool brokers l olll * t * ,oir cn dorscmcnt to tho ujotfst mad© by the Fairlio branch of Farmers' Union that farmers *vere #bt getting tho lull benefit of tho i" th® ratc °' exchange in itio ortccs received for their wool. Our wry"® o **' 1,10 brokers aro iiX tW widu r.svakc to allow them-jflv'-s I- 0 dniwn ' nt,u 1111 indiscro0| that nuLure. Lacking though no doubt are in many virtues, tfcev are certainly not wanting in diplomacy, and are to be complimented ej®a tho wity in whidi they have' avoided what one might term "intcrn;;t.ional complicu t ions." Although their expression of opinion ,'llthttS robbed of its value as a reliable guide upon which to go, it has undou'>b«lly served tho purpose for which ) was intended, and by their timely tactful intervention, the wool biokera have been successful in prevoting lor the time being-at least - aB open declaration of war. wud mentioned sit X* uixlie MMtins, >f ' hc hKr€aaC in lll « rat ® of «clMU»go u to bo o! any real \alu«, .r nut auiticiiiut thai th*> should be bcneiitctl, but that muju be an unprovement m tho *Mta of aiaira 'to bring thin About, however, it is essential ' *SI the tanner first must wweiix. «eryitiing that is lo bo got out ot tjse ri>o in the exchange ruie, not tor ,tjt, purpose of retaining it (tbeie ia 3jit¥ chance of Ins doing that) but for redistribution over tho whole community, from whom nnd at whose ex- ■ jsenae it to a large extent ongiually W \Vhftt was told to a meeting of farmers in Great Britain recently by the Minister for Agriculture (Major jjjllet), namely, "that exploitation of ifHi towns is noc the solution of the Afgfctems facing agriculture,"• is. equally JftftJicable to New Zealand. In our c&ifO however, thero a of both' the farmer and the towns being «x«stl&itcd. Apart from the financial jttagct, tbi-M- might be welcomed, for iflwn together by mutual misfortuue, ttty existing danger of a cleavage would ttt averted, and town and country wottld present an unbroken front to tho difficulties and dangers by which tjic Dominion is at tho present timo ttJiifreatcu. It is perhaps unfortunate that the Aeration in the rate of exchange has tejtti brought about {not altogether perhaps, but tnainly by pressure brought to boat upon the Government by faraWT#' organisations, but more particularly hjt formers' Parliamentary repre- ■ #n. tithes. Jt wto reported thai on-j prominent njitl troll-kftown member of the Coalih i>arty even threatened that unless northing definite was done to asski tlsß faming community ht: would reftii 66at lii the iiouso and retire j to his mountain Jcstnes?. His and the I tiiiß atlitjsde of other country metntuilI#, 1 #, vie*«d in the light of what has transpired, would appear i« suwtantiato s statement mode by tfca.mmhor hx t Temuka (Mr T. D. BlflrntttJ, who, in the iiudget debate, whflii referring -to class organisation, ffiliil, great danger and inherent of all democracies lies in the ffjpt tiwit mm trill follow the line ot fiWWance and by combination JOtd mf oriilging pressure to bcar upon of the day will obtain •' ■ ' Aft iftttdediate and very real danger a that we are apt to givo this oxquestion u prominence which i* Mt «i proportion to its value. -of purpose of fully restoring proaRnlv to the Dominion (and with UMnbu; less woj must not be satinwWl)i the raising of the rate of exis in itself insuAcient. It hj» regarded merely as poss—io rtidfi to bo used in connexion Oft erection of a prominent struc- { .Before New Zealand and her ad- . tewiaent fltill etands, unbridged, tho " aWfaj' OgCtted up by the ocorioraic upi, W** *«d which bafs, not her return , w wl-tima prosperity (which to many t r 'W a fraud and a delusion;, , jjift wr entry Into a now, a better, L dependable, and a more evenly f wibated proiperity. wrnt this gap in tut be bridged and socurely is tho tank which still t. tBS* 4*- is not a tiiinay, has}.Uy temporary structure that ia . for, but t\ bridge that will bear i #!!t weight of A.ew { and one which is brolid JwHiW) to allow her people to crosf riiw, Before tho wremoniai nbr w c °t» and our bridge declared j those who deserve most con- ; wwfntion—our. aged people and j M Who have fought for the flag |. <■» hAye been maimed—all with their ! wftnafai fully restored, should stand Li 2a of the procession. There f jW I" 5 no unemployed in the - procesSr!' or those who aspire to L flww honour it will be found, not j.' Wad, but at the rear-end ot F where they will have b' Iffi lypwtne honour <md great privibeing not first but last over. WitteriAl to be used in the conloij of our bridge, limit he as deW as the men to whom the work Usted. With an army of unemlooking for useful employment, nothing of the youths of our industrial reorganisation sugtself ns being in keeping wu.i ftnirementa. Some one has said if .finance could be made the fc,ef industry instead of being its , thero a rich heritage in store ispcrity." tiDK about any material betteriti the condition of this -orainclearer recognition that its mamst reign supreme, a corres- £ adjustment in our national and a rearrangement of our ire essential. Taken collectively, Jjnutituto the initial step to be in the work of reorganisation, must cover both our primary tiondftry industries, include also o«ordination and expansion. Tllia Bttation calls for legislation, while, being eane and levcl- , must be sufficiently bold and 'jfo and inspiring to establish ! »ip. It must give to both Xi r 4 ? nd capital the protection to ',!WJ tnejj are entitled, measure out lAffj*" with strict and rigid »mpu«-'-iwr service required from them apportion with the same scrupuJt* *ad impartial nicety the rewards 7 torvJce. •taifj ® legislation that will com- ;,!®® W«ct in the halls of the nob 'ffls " welcome in the homes ot ;EJ»°Pr~leg!slatiott which in its Wif S*L forgetting that there sLLfSfr a w'ing as class, forgetting •'uPgwi. hut New Zealand, gathers m Ci nbrace not some only, but mJITx* people. Let it t^ke ml «u? ' an in the other (jS Mtotacfl of victory, and like the •MB*. $ ,Apiep - 2© straight to their rST'» h »f* it will find that old var*5 lpi l,ilumbßririg---waiting to be ' , ~" % macdonald. ' * !lt ' Fai rlie Branch, rvctv .Farmer*,' Unico. Wlrtiiry 23, 1933.

THE LAMB EXPORT. TO THE SDITOR OF THE PBS33. r ;'~ Tho f c a record lambing! has become of the lambs'? Tho exports so far cannot have been an average ono, and now, with March upon us, what is tho position? It is impossible to hold a prime lamb as such for it will either fall away or grow away, lake a primo lamb at 301b befpro Christmas, which, is now agreed upon as tho time when lambs uro at their beat. What will bo the weight of that lamb now 5 According to Addington reports lambs aro falling off in condition. January and February are a difficult season for lambs, most of which arc weaned. T.t is not n'n easy matter to provide green feed at this timo of tho year. It follows that there must bo a large number of heavy lambs which aro growing every week into shocp and cannot possibly be brought under the lamb schedule, but would make good log mutton up to 501b or more. These would bo infinitely better for export than tho little stunted runts at o(51b, of which so many were shipped at the end of last season with such bad results for the trade. —Yours, etc., TtETIItED. February 2-1, 1933. MENTAL HYSTERIA. 10 THB J3IJITOR otf TUB rKB3 3 Sir,—Some days ago thero was a letter under the abovo heading in your paper. Tt was so truo and interesting that 1 hoped somu abler pen than mine would respond. A foreigner onco wrote that he could not understand Englishmen. "You never see two or three together in earnest conversation that they do not cofto to tho conclusion that England is going to the dogs," he said. May I quote from a diary written in India in 1832? At that time news from Homo took six months to reach its destination. "England is on the eve of war —internal convulsions—lreland in a state of rebellion —the nation £800,000,000 in debt —people burdened with taxe3 —a sad state for the Mistress of the S-eas. God grant my beloved country is not on the decline, hut sadly fear its fall is not far distant." Truly one ehn say "as it was in the beginning is'now, etc.. etc.''--Yours eto., OPTIMIST. February 24, 1933.

UNEMPLOYED ALLOCATION v MONEY. TO M'iiE BXHTOR OP THE VRSBS. Sir,—"Stood Down on Half-Pay, in his latest letter adduces nothing to palliate the cruel and monstrous absurdity of tho action of our Labour City Council in returning to Wellington hundreds of pounds Sent down bore to be utilised for tho relief of unemployed mon. I take it that it is still going on whtlo preparations are being made to beg oil a spoctacular scale to help to make up for that extraordinary perversion of common sense in public administration. f may perhaps liter be able to sCcufe further figures to illuuirate our City Council's genius in the art of showing how not to do it. i put it to your correspondent or any sensible man —j-Is it a reasonable proposition that tho City Council should reject a wago of 10a a day for men, in order to give them in charity, not wages, say, 2a fid a day? All tho flapdoodle in the world about principle will not get over the obvious answer to that. If the council could pay the Ms ou and use the ivholo of each allocation some would bo more pleased . than _1; but being & practical man, I deal wjth things -as they are. The council cannot do that,, but its inability need not bo crowned with tho stupidity that because it cannot pay tho higher figure it trill not pay the lower one. will, in fact, pay nothing stt all. „ rpl Might I make'a suggestion? There are 3000 or 4000 or 5000 unemployed in Chrißtchiweh. Many of them are labour supporters and boi»o of them in education and ability are the equal at least of the Mayor or any of the other Labour councillors. Would it not be an act of grace on tho Mayor's part to nominate one anch man as his successor and retire in hid favour! It would completely cancel the taint that ho w the holder of two salaried offices: it would illustrate the theory that Labour ia no, respecter of. persons, and above all it would ensure for two years that One family would live in comfort on the Mayoral salary. My correspondent 'might put the matter to the Mayorhut we are all fairly ,<?ortaln of what the answer would be. —Yours, etc.. . CTTTZB'N. I'ebruary $4, 1033.

10 TJI.B SptTOfc OV TJir. riIBSG. Sir.—l wish to wmpHmwit yortr cot rospondent "Citizen" ion the ftble awl clear rrianner in which ho exposes the "prinoiple" of the present party in power in the City Council. That party is not playing tho game, either to tho men or to the ratepayers. Such a prineiple riutst bd otulea* 0£ it will dry up the yprings of charity.— iours, el °" CONSISTENT. February '24, 1933. HELP FOR UNEMPLOYED GIRLS. TO TM BfitToa o» mt rcESB. Sir, —"Simplex" has, 1 think, misunderstood my appeal, in my first letter. I have not as yet appealed to tho public for cash or kind. What I did appeal for was girls who wero willing to help to advance wtiat I.havo startod. Hut I have had donations front tho public, and these aro brought to the door without my asking for them. So "Simplex's" appeal to discourage the public from supporting mo and my work has not been beneficial. Why should "Simplex" expect even stricter rules in tho women s institutions, than those in the men's homes. As far as the Young Women's Christian Association is concerned his expectations havo been fulfilled. But what .1 have started is not a Young Women's Christian 'Association, but thero aro rules that make for clean living -and good conduct, and-one is that no girl will be admitted under the influcnco of liquor, so we are on tho same footing as the men. On a matter of fact, the rule concerning tho limit of hours of pleasuro for girls is my word against tho Young Women's Christian Association, and 1 am speaking .from experience when I state that the matron has objected and stopped girls from goiog out unless they were in by 9 p.m. For the benefit of "Simplex" 1 will cite two cases of injustice. (Please no to, "Simplex" is tho boneficiary and J, am the benefactor by way of a change.) Case 1: An unemployed girl staying «i the Young Women's Christian Associationwa» failed into the a Saturday night at 6.80 and told by the matron that she would have to leave. Her room was wanted ' that night. Lut having no money, she was not abie to get a room, bo at 8.45 she told the matron of her misfortune, and was told the <lould not stay there, and. had better go to the Salvation Army Home. To this, the girl, quite tightly refused. She waa eventually, rather begrudgIngly, allowed to stay, at the Young Women'* Christian Association on Saturday and Sunday nig"* » tlie same

room. There wero no newcomers that night. On Monday morning, first thing, the girl was told to go, and at 6 p.m. that evening she still had nowhere to go, and without a penny in her purse. The true reason for this behaviour by tho Young Women's Christian Association, which I cannot disclose hero, was learned later, and although the Youn" Women's Christian Association still abides by it, can bo proved untrue. Case 2: An unemployed girl, having nowhero to go, was told she would be accommodated at the Young Women's Christian Association, but on going there was told she could not be admitted without a note from the secretary of the Women's Unemployment Committee. The girl interviewed the secretary, who refused to givo her'a note. The unfortunate girl returned to the Young Women's Christian Association and after much de bating and questioning, was permitted to stay the night, and that night only. She was told to leave nest day. aa all the rooms were full, but there was quite a number empty and it has already been stated that the demand has not filled the rooms allotted for unemployed girls. That girl has been refused help and food by the Women's Unemployment Committee, and shelter by the Young Women's Christian Association. The only reason we have, was stated by a member of tho Women's Unemployment Committee, that she was a ITomo girl, and tho committee had enough to do looking after the colonials. Both of these cases substantiate my statement that girls have been turned oift of the Young Women's Christian Association. May I take this opportunity of thanking "Perspective"^for the donation of 10s delivered to IV6 Barbadoes street.—Yours, etc.. (Miss) IS. V. F. KOBIN SOX. Fcbrmtrv -'4. 1033.

TO I'lIE IIDITOE. Off TBE I'^ESS. Sir.- Fur some time past I have no ticed in your paper several totters b\ Mis 3 E. V. F. Hohinson commenting ot< the-treatment ot' unemployed girls. I wish, on boha.lt' of"the unemployed girls who arc staying at the Y.W.C.A. hostel and myself, to contradict the statement made by that correspondent in regard to the "rules of the hostel. We unemployed are treated the same as theboarders. Wo have the same hours for coming in as thev have, and with special permission, we can obtain the key for coming in latsr.—Yours, etc., JESSIE IRVINE. February ?J, 133.1. TO I'UE UDITOtt OF I'UE rEBSS. Sir,—lt was in the time of Elizabeth, daughter of Henry VIII., that the iirst poor laws were enacted. It was then the avowed purpose of the poor laws not to relieve the distressed, but to relieve society from the danger incidental to universal conditions the helpless.. it was distintcly reported uy her tpecial commissi oners that the taw was enacted on their recommendation, that it could be drawn as to attract such disgrace w the persons receiving relief, that ft* l , self-rfesgecting persons who were peaceably inclined, would rather quietly starve to death, than endure the disgrace of public relief. Our charitable institutions fostered by state and Church have swerved very little the enactment of Elizabeth's tittle, the law that a poor person, when asking for bread, must bow to humiliating conditions and loss of self respect, is enforced rigorously in New Zealand. The policy of our dispensers ol '"charity" is not so Much to make sure that there shall bo no suffering as to insure that the unworthy sha.'J not be fed. Tho cheese-paring policy, of our noteworthy Govornmcnt and ouv publicspirited social workers in regard to the dispensing of relief has caused untold misery and want, made thousands sacrifice their last shred of sell respect, and worst of all tho endeavours of charitable institutions with their inquisitional attitude towards claimants for relief, their harassing restriction imposed upon the adult person are forcing, and have forced uot dozens, but hundreds of girls ou to t' lQ streets. That this last statement, extreme though it may*sound, is a -fact any observant person not afraid to logk matters squarely in the face, should be able to verify for in nisei I. If "Simplex," when he gives his little or his lot, flatters himself ihafc ho 13 a "benefactor" it is about time he got someone to take him by if® hand and explain matters to him. 1" qi country such aa New Zealand, tJio Government, if it had any organising ability could put every unemployed person into a decent home, and insure that no one would lack either food'or clothing. Instead of worrying about the increased cost of a slight overlapping and upholding the justice a regulation which sends girls to bed at 9.30 p.m. "Simplex" and others should be busily employed- in sheeting borne the responsibility for caring for thp unemployed trirls to that which should have shouldered the burden long ago—the state —Yours, etc., (Mrs) JEANNtp GRANT, Secretary Unemployed Workers' Movfc ine'nt. Women's Branch, Februray 24, 1933.

THE ARMAMENT MAKERS AND JAPAN. Tit tot KPiTort. o* the rasssß gi r) —you recently published ail excellent article on tbo machinations Of tho armament-mongers. To-dsty 'a cablegrams called for further comment op tho game subject. -• Sir John Simon is reported in tho cablegrams as quoting President Hoover and saying, "For one nation to engage in such prohibitions, while other nations continue to supply arms is a futility." The argument seems to be that if B, C, and D sin, it is well that A should continue to sin also, in order to veap some of tho profits of the sinning. Japan at the present moment is engaged in the perpetration of an act of aggression, more ruthless and ivanton than has been known for a generation. She has been condemned by tho League of Nations, and the anger of all humanity should be aroused against her. Yet we find her receiving on all sides the ; open though unofficial help of the | nations. What is sometimes tern.cd the secret international —the world ring of munition-makers —is acting on behalf of war. One could fill ono of your-' columns with accounts of war material on its way to Japan, from Czechoslovakia, Germany, England, France, and America. Even little New Zealand iB not free from Japanese intrusion in search of munition material. What a magnificent gesture it would have been for Great .Britain officially to refuse permission to export anus and munitions of war to Japan; aiid she would not have been without much unofficial and some official support elsewhere. Long ago, Cobden said that if you wore* to throw a stone at random into the Government benches, it would be bound to hit sduieono interested in tho arms manufacture. His statement is probably also true to-day. In France, which unofficially supporting Japan, conditions are worse. The Comit6 dos Forges is the chief shareholder in such papers as "Le I'enips" find "Le Journal dies Debats," and those papers have an immense influence with the French Government. t „ When a disarmament conference is on at the committee rooitis aw thronged with agent# of the arnfjinent factories. We have not forgotten the

Shearer scandal nor how Zaharoff pro- ! moted tho Greco-'Jurkish War of 192.1 in the direct, interests of the armament | firms. More than 35 per cent, of war materials in the world of commerce is sold by British firms, but conversations have already been held among France, England, and the United Ktates on the subject of a munitions boycott. Tho American State Department put forward the untrue statement that "practically no munitions were being shipped to the Far East." (II) Against so much official opposition, and against the strength and secrecy of tho great armament rings, only the united voice of tho people can prevail. —\"ours, ote., ROBT. M. LAING, February 'JI, 1933. THE BANK OF NEW ZEALAND. TO "Hi', EDITOR OF TUB PUBSS Sir, —The Government having (in m.y opinion! mad© an unholy mess of everything—'Mt touches nothing that it docs not bungle"—is now turning to banking—having signalized its entry into that sphere by pegging tho exchange rate at a ruinous cust to the country, is about to establish a Central Bank of its own. We have learned by experience, of course, not to expect tliat in such a-course, or, in tact, m ally course, the Government will take tue obvious svensiblo, direct way. Hut if it is determined to set up in fcne banking business - , we .who will computsoiily be made shareholders, have a right to ask why, instead ot creatwy a now bank, it should not take over the Bank of New Zealand, in which it holds a dominating interest at present. 'Mia Diunuor in which it aequireil tnut interest is a matter ot political liiston known to all. But if, as I understand the Government commands one-third ot the capital anil two-thirds of the directorate of the Brink (if New Zealand, there is no reason why it should not take over tho whole business aiid have it working exclusively for the common weal. Will any person please explain the objections to such a course, am wrong in my opinion or inferences I shall he mo3t happy to he instructed and corrected.-—"Yours, etc.. IGNOTUS. February --1. 1938.

RADIO BROADCASTING. TO THE EDITOR 0>- TUB rSE3B Sir,--1 was delighted to see in your last week's wireless notes that at last there is somebody sufficiently 'w i e awake to level just criticisms against 3YA as regards programme selections and the make-up of programmes. Professor Shelley, in his remarks at tho Orchestral wxioij's nieetu^> 1 . hutm-hes a celt am amount ot const K U ve criticism against Uie Y\ The orchestras are trequeiitlj tuo pain tni for educated ears to hear, a . are seldom all together on the be t in their simplest flections and tho vocalists are most oi them sti 1 . student stage and most items are in sufficiently prepared. This is rather proved by the tact that last vear the Competitions Society put a well-arranged and quite dchghtM programme by their competitoi?, of whom are only advanced but the solos showed carol ul study and tlm nrocrpmme proper construction. When wo have gramophone piogrammes the juxtaposition of items is frequently most incorrect and the f-cquonoo also is wrong. 1 hare often heard the second part ot a recoicl played first end movements ot sonatas, etc., uncompleted, leaving an intelligent listener with the loelirig ot being Mupendod in a lift hetveen floors. There is a recognised sequence in musical programmes just as there is in a dinner. Could not YA stations have a musician on their staff 'Who understand* this and does not servo dessert first and soup last? Chriftchurch is considered to bo a musical and somewhat cultured town. We have lectures on music at- Canterbury College and there are somo very lino musicians in our midst. May I here present a plea that we avail ourselvep of their advice, which I feel certain would bo generously given in the cause <}f musical advancement. The idea ot Beethoven and <stcel guitar wlos or Cesar Frank and a jsylophrtbe solo in proximity must l>o abhorrent to smv cultivated listener. jossfs and da«c*e music has itrf ploco on wireless programmes most certainly, but do pofc let us igdorantly JntrtWe 't tti with, a serious wOrH of a mister composer. Wireless should bf» educative and not pander to the' poorest musical taste in tho cohimunitv. T-et us endeavour by tnenhs. of wireless to raise our rttUsicnl standard.—Yours, etc:..

HARMONY. February 21. 1933 THE ENGLISH CRICKETERS. TO THE RDITOII OP THE PBSSf Sir,—ln reply to my fetter i" "Tne I're?s" ' of yesterday your correspondent "Disgustod" accuses me of lack oi moderation when I stated that when a fast bowler deliberately bowls a bumping ball iH the body or head of an opponent the action , m not merely unsporLsmatiiike, it is criminal. Taken with the preceding part of the paragraph the statement is not overemphatic, unless, in assuming that the bowlers deliberately aim at the bateuiep, I am begging the question. » believe that, quibbling apart, there no questiott about it. 1 1 do not suggest that tho bowler actually intends to injure the batsmau, but it is beyond question that he deliberately bowls a ball that he knows will probably do s*oI am willing to base my opinion of the "bumper" on those of Hobbs ahd Warner. In regard to the two-eyed stance and the days when the fast long hop had no terrors for the batsmen, 1 .should say that the long hop has no more terrors at the present day provided it is on the wicket or to the off. I have always understood that when W, G. Grace had his beard parted by a bumper from Jones he did not appear pleased when the next ball wae very similar. 1 wonder what he would have said if he had been sure the bumpers were inteiition.il or if Jones had persisted for n whole over. ''Disgusted" wants to know why Jardinb's statement that Larwood stili hits, the wicket appears rather hypocritical to me. I think a quotation Trom this morning's account of the fifth Test match should be enlightening. The report says, "After several balls had flown past Woodf nil's head one kept low, and Woodfull, playing late, bad the stumps shattered." Now I consider that Larwood is undoubtedly the best fast bowler in the world to-day, but I cannot help wondering whether he would have bowled Woodfull op this occasion if he had not first intimidated him with bumpers. 1 quite agree with "Disgusted" that the incidents I Quoted (not with the ide.'i of discrediting the Englishmen hut of showing that 'otters similar to ''Disgustod's" first were merely a case of pot calling kettle black) were trivial, but no mrirp so than the one which promoted "D'Rscusted V first letter I thank "Dlscusted" for reminding me of th<> laiisrbtpr at Hrisbanc when .Lurdine was iniufed. Find I not overlooked it. I cftyld hpro found no better illustration of the lowering Of tone in the cricket world by the introduction of the so-railed "l®g theory" than such a.ti outbreak. No doubt it was extremely nide of tho" crowd, but one must admit extreme provocation. It must have be&tt amusing to th'S crowd to see the iriaii whom th#y held respon-

f-ibJo for quite a number of severe injuries to Australians served with a little of his own medicine. May I repeat that I hop© that the cricket authorities will not wait for some cricketer to be killed l>y a "bumper" before taking steps to remove tlio danger?— Yours, etc., TWO-KYEI) STANCE. February 24, 1903. 10 THE EDITOH r)S THt MESS. Sir, —A good many .years ago I saw a moving picture, called, I fancy, "Casey Court" It opened, with two small boys, Irish and German, lighting. Little Mick was winning when Fritzie's motlior appeared. She promptly butted in and Mick was on the receiving end when his mother arrived." Then a royal scrap was staged between the tvyp women and Mrs Hohenisulicrn took most of the punishment. Just us she W(l8 thinking of hoisting the white flag, her husband, returning home from work; went to her rescue. Ilight on top of this, Mick senior waltzed in and the subsequent proceedings necessitated a riot call being sent out and everybody within reach of the police patrol being arrested. The picture ended with everybody moro or less damaged, being escorted to the patrol waggon aud finally a close-up was shown of the two boys, the cause of all the bloodshed, sitting on a doorstep taking alternate bites at an apple they were sharing. It scorns to me that this cricket controversy is, in a way, similar to that story. The principals in the tefct matches have probably shaken hands, had .a-few spots, thanked each other for a good time, and taken the wholij business good-naturedly, but we hav<J their partisans ready to commit murder (or at least to slap somebody's face) in support of their respective viows. Olio of Kipling's characters (Kitchener's School) says: "Allah created the English mad, the maddest of all inunkiod," and later, " they judge h bcholar'? worth, by casting a ball at three straight sticks and defending the same with a fourth.

The}" did, once hpon a time. Bi}t nowadays, it seems that to reach tho wicket the ball has to go through tho batsman or round him. And because the quickness of the ball deceives the eyo occasionally, wc have talk of revolution, republicanism, and retaliation, and everybody is mouthing the term "leg-ttieory," just as they did "camouflagein the early days of the last war; employing it at all times, and without any reasoD, in borough councils, county councils, school committee meetings, House of Parliament, at tho port, on tho banks of the Wuimnkariri, and even in Bible classes. All we need ncjv is a judge of the High Court to murmur drowsily, "Er, what is this leg theory?" to complete tljo circuit. Thirty ycarp ago, Uncle Rudyard got into hot water for his reference to flannelled fools; well, he was not so far out, anyway. I suggest that if the people wjio control this cricket business insist on its being played as it was when W. O. Grace vras in his prime, and penaliso any batsman who attempts to stop the b&ll with anything but the bat, and at the same time introduce a By?iem whereby a bowler who is deemed by the stipendiary stewards to be playiiig tho man rather than the wicket, may lie warned off, disqualified, or otherwise made to fcol that he has been a naughty boy. then we shall see something worth while. But whatever Happens, the eorve#pondence columns will still be full of stuff from all tho old familiar correspondents, "Cock-Eyed Stance," "Disgusted," ''Pro Bono," Gild his brother, "Fiat Justitia" —Lord, who wouldn't be an Editor? —Yours, etc., OCT G.B^V. February 2-1, 1033. SAVIOURS OF SOCIETY. to rue SotToa ov in# PBess.

Sir, ---111 those latter days there arc iv.o cspocia!, universal plagues tlwt aro an utter weariness or the flct.ii to us plain siaiplC people. On 6is the mob of piffling politicians, over preaching platitudes, trying perhaps to' make lis believe that sound is sense, and that the pushing of their own particular harrows 13 a high public service, governed by the most im)>6ccabl<i principle. Uut another and a worse plague lias wm© upon ifd in the flocks of wellr intentionud busybodies who would supersede our prbscnt politicians to lake their places proudly as fcaviourp of society. * WitHp tho last few weeks we 11 card of ihe Seddonian Liberal party. VV6 do not know much abqut it or its policy—if it hits any policy further than" that implied in the phrase agiti' the Government.'' It would prison us in fi IcflM) in perpetuity of Seddonism. It would anchor us for Over there, 1 taking no heed of the altered circum-1 stances that have changed the wofld since 1 t-iie statesman died, nearly u generation ago. Then tlu-re enters another party crying that Codlin in the friend,, not Short - and that, every mnii-jack of then) ib a genuine Codlin. The pnrtv calls itself the Al) New Zealand _ party. and assured us that it can—artd it will —styvo its. We look interestedly nt these publ inspirited men. And then we grow, uiteasy. Surely we recognise some of these zealous men. Stop! Can it be that, od6 is a former Minister of thef United purtvP And is that, another ? Arul there is a third. And then, looking more keenly, we discover several old friends. There ore political candidates who havo suffered defeat. There nro |K»liticiil aspirants seeking a sphere for their ambitions. We turn from them sad and d^appointed. They are uot Codlims after all. . , So we turn despairingly to another band who come with ' banners flying and a mighty blowing of trumpets, proclaiming themselves liio New Zealand Legion. The name gives us pause, and makes keener our scrutiny. We liaVe learned to be vely dubious of political bodies caJlihg themselves longues or legions qr guards- And. when we find the gospellers of this new band' professing patriotism to the point of gush and 'principle to the point of) extravagance wo think and say, "Their patriotism is the patriotism of the Australian New Guard, their principle that of Mussolini and Fascism. Beware 1" A French proverb says that lie who excuses), accuses himself. I was reminded of that by Dr. Campbell Llegg's assurance as one of the cOiief legiotiaries that the legion had nothing to,do with Fascism. The denial is chiefly valuable hi that it will set people to examining, the aim and ptlrpose oV the legion. To me, in spite of the denial of tho soft impeachment, it seems, under its mild platitudes.' to conceal many things that are akin to Fascism, and I am certain many others will share my .suspicious. Mussolini, dictator, who rides rough-shod over the democracy of 'taly. will • preach the highest patriotism and prove to his own honour and glurv that Fascism is the summum bonilrn in politico! wisdom. 1. who know much of Fascism, nave a very different opinion. I wonder if people" know the real meaning of the word Fascism, or FaseisrboP ft means a collection of shrubs or plantp picked Hiid packed indiscriminately -- and is Inrgelv composed of poisonous weeds. In that Sense it is 'an apt designation for the '.Ttnlinn tvrannv. hut T would warn the New Zealand public- against it. even in it? most innocuous .form. For that reason' they ; should examine .this boastful new legion. T do not look for any good or harm from it, hut it is. prudent to he forewarned aftd prepared Tours, etc., NINO D! SO-MMA. February 24, 1933.

HANMER SPRINGS NATIONAL t'ARK. - TO TUB ISUII'OB OP THE MU39B; Sir, —You were good enough to publish last week a letter of mine on the above subject. The meeting referred to Was held at Hanmer on .Monday last, and, as reported in your columns, was marked by much hearty teellhgIt developed rather surprisingly that the conveners of the meeting, Messrs Atkinson and Rutherford, local members of tijfc Amuri Couacil, wpre both, their chairman stated, antagonistic to the proposal. Seemingly they catoe to bury the iNational Jfark, not to praise it, and their chairman disemmud lor them the slight tributes 1 had paithem in my letter. At the end, However, their reasons for opposing tlie suggestion weie still not clear. ■ llaniuer lives* on the tourist, brume, and to hold and increaso this it must develop all its immrces. The township has grown up following the development of tho springs and Lhc forest plantations by Government funds. recreational features are certainly lacking. It is proposed to develop theso bv means of the park scheme. If the Government is willing to let the rental value of the area be used for the park, instead of going into tli<j Consolidated Fund, it is difficult to see what objection there can bo to the proposal. , No one doubts that the local councillors are sincere in their attitude, and that they have the interests of the district in mind. No doubt they have some sound reasons for their opposition. Might we know what they are" } ours, etc., IN TERESTEI>. February 24. 1933. METHODS OF BURGLARS. 10 run BDITOfci OV' I'BS PRESS Sir,—Having recently had my own house entered by burglars I have often wondered how it is when a burglary takes place in the City Or country that it is all so fully reported in the pappre. Is it because you want to help the burglare? It looks like it, for the account always mentions exactly how the bufglaf broke in. 'Sometimes it save that the front <3odr was forced and sometimes that he got jn through a back window or ndnlU other way, atd morp than that, it generally mentions the ciact tools he used. What is the use

of giving all thesp ininnto details if it i« tiot to help tho burglar, whom I thittk often takes advantage of those useful bints to try how stjooessful he cap be. I always foel annoyed ' when - I xcad aboilt it, and have intended writing on tfio subject for a long as I sih eure no ono wants burglars to enter his hotifee, ind undoubtedly theso descriptions of what has taken place with successful results are no hindrance td anyone with a malicious turn of niind. I know many people are of the some opinion as rtfyself on this mattery so I hope yOU Will take jny advico and refrain ifram publishing burglary details.— Yours, etc.. AXTI-BUEGLAE. February' 24,- 11)33.

SHIRLEY SCHOOL PICNIC. ■' TO THB t £>ITOH OF TUB PEESS. Sir, —I was rather surprised to learn from your correspondent "Inquisitive". that the Shirley School Committee proposed charging the school children Is 6d and their parents 2s Cd for conveyance to Stewart's Gully. Is it not Customary for a school , committee to conduct sales o-f work or other attractions ■ during the year with the object of raising funds to give the children a treat? The proposed outing with such charges for these hard times cannot bo termed a picnic. Does the committee propose presenting gold clocks to the girls and motor-cars to the boys with the solicited contributions and heavy loadings oil the tiekcts. —Yours, etc., MORE LIGHT. February 24, 103 S. At the Gisborne Supreme Court yostorday, Mr Justice Blair sentenced the following prisoners—Frank Fish, for assault on a woman, causing actual bodliy harm, to three months' imprisonment; Edward Robert Kellett, assault with intent to commit rape, two years' imprisonment with hard labour, to be followed by reformative detenti&n, not exceeding three years; Tiri Kaiwai and Harry Beach, breaking, entering, and theft", two years' Borstal treatment. — Press Acsociation.

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