Letters to The Editor

Press, Volume LXIX, Issue 20989, 18 October 1933, Page 15

Letters to The Editor

Correspondents who do not complj villi Our rules sot out in the last column o£ our Lender Pago will excuse, us from noticing their letters.

Ward 6: Tho recognised quantity in the baking trade is 05 loaves from one 2001b sack.

i DEMOCRACY AND THE LEGION TO THE EDITOR 01' THE PRESS. Sir,—Peccavi. I admit that there is a seeming ungenerosity in my last letter in that it failed to make acknowledgment of the powerful and persistent advocacy by "The Press" for governmental and administrative reforms; but the omission was due wholly to my inexperience in writing letters for publication. Here I would make frank acknowledgment of the services of "The Press" in that direction, adding that every one of the reforms mentioned in your leading article are as sincerely advocated by the legion. That is why, seeing we agree upon so much, I would like to see an even more cordial relation not only between your paper and the legion but between all the papers of the Dominion and it. ] I admit also that you have endorsed'. to a certain degree the aims of the legion, and agree that it is desirable: that its position and objectives should be so clearly set forth that he who runs may read. If there be doubt upon i some points as to the position of the j legion I would say in extenuation of such dubiety that it is a very difficult; matter in a few months to create a ' new organisation and define with i exactitude its position and its future; policy. And the legion is not yet eight! months old. ! I think it would be wise, however, |

if our leaders here set themselves to clarify the position by issuing a considered statement, so as to meet your objection that what is required is "a clearer idea of what the legion is, what it is trying to do, and what its; methods will be." The sincerity of the j ! legion is not in doubt; its leaders are j I men of high character and proved ! capacity and a clear pronouncement j from them would put a period to j many of the absurd canards and j exaggerations which some opponents j of the legion have spun round it. For such criticism as yours the legion may—and probably does—feel thankful. It is moderate and reasonable, and may help to discoyer faults which the legion, never dreaming that, it could produce a new perfect political organisation ready-made, will proceed to remove.—Yours, etc., DEMOCRAT. October 17, 1933. THE MALLARD j TO THE EDITOK OV THB FItKSS. > Sir, —I have read with considerable] interest the letters on the Mallard re- j cently published in your correspondence column. Your correspondent, "R.E., Christchurch," tells us that he has written an extensive report on the Mallard, and I presume also on the possibilities of the Mallard-Grey Duck cross. "Would he advise your readers whether this report will be published, as I am sure j all interested are most anxious to read it.

In a controversy of this nature it seems a pity that sportsmen should write under a "nora de plume," as your readers naturally like to know the qualifications of each correspondent, and I trust that when "R.E., Christchurch," replies to Mr Stead's last letter he will do so under his own name.

About the inter-breeding between the Mallard and the Grey Duck. I regret that I am not qualified to express a fair opinion, and until one learns the qualifications of "R.E., Christchurch," one must naturally be guided by the opinion of so wellknown an ornithologist as Mr Stead. However, I have had the best part of 20 years' experience of the Mallard in the Far East, and can fairly say that, in my opinion, this bird cannot compare with the Grey Duck, either as a sporting or a table bird. I consider the Mallard under ordinary conditions to be much easier shooting than the Grey Duck, and I am sure they are far less wary. Teal were very plentiful in the districts where I got my big bags of Mallards, and my choice for the table was the Teal every time. I consider the Grey Duck is as far ahead of the Teal as the Teal is of the Mallard as a delicacy. The fl'ght of the Teal always seemed to me to be faster than the Mallard. I know that it was quite hopeless to try to get a second shot at flighting Teal if not taken coming at one—by the time one had turned round they were well out of range—and this was not so with the Mallard.

I would give something for the gift that "R.E., Christchurch;" and Mr C. A. Whitney are blessed with of being able to estimate the speed of the Grey Duck as between 75 and 300 miles an hour. One hears pretty tall guesses of the speed of motor-cars on the part of witnesses in our courts. We must be very thankful that our authorities have not put a speed limit on ducks; one shivers to think what our expert witnesses would say. When advocating the introduction of the Mallard, have Mr Whitney and his friends taken fully into consideration the causes of the disappearance of the Grey Duck from their old haunts? Must we not blame closer settlement, the draining of swamps, and the clearing of creeks, and lastly the motorcar? Our Grey Duck is still very] plentiful on our lakes and river beds where he is well away from harm, i Will the introduction of the Mallard ' change this? I think not. Should they resort to our swamps and creeks they will quickly be exterminated, as has happened in Southland. "K.E., Christchurch." tells us quite frankly that the Mallard has not been able to stand up to the gunner in the inland waters at Home. Why then spend money on the introduction of these birds when the chances of success are very doubtful? Do we not have to reconcile ourselves to the fact that our inland shooting will never again be what it was in the days before the advance of settlement and the motorcar?

Would it not be much better to devote any available funds to the conservation of the Grey Duck? Can nothing be done to save our young broods of Grey Duck, which are now making their appearance on the Avon; how often does one see fine broods of 10 to a dozen birds dwindle gradually away to an odd one or two. If these young birds could be netted and succesfullv hand reared they would be most useful for replenishing our stock of birds in the back country. Perhaps our good councillors on the Aclimatisation Society will give this suggestion due consideration.—Yours, etc., G. D. McILRAITK. October 17, 1933.

POLITICAL OBITER DICTA TO TUB EDITOR 07 THE I'BF.SS. Sir,—The only difference that I see between "Silver Lining" and myself in the little debate between us is that (both of us beiug in complete agreement as to the futilities of our present Parliament and members of Parliament) he would counsel us to enI dure the costly absurdity m a passive spirit of resignation, while I would counsel action to bring the pretentious fooleries to an end. With due respect to him, I think mine is the better way, and will be more acceptable to a virile people. Of course they are all conscious that there is "something ■rotten in the state of Denmark and

if I endeavour to show week by week how rotten it is, I cannot help believing that it will help that growing movement that is pressing steadily forward towards drastic Parliamentary reform. So with your permission I shall continue weekly in the course I have taken in "Political Obiter Dicta." I mean well at least, and if my efforts do little good, they can do no harm. But I would like "Silver Lining" to come in to help me. Then me volume cf sound would be doubled, if nothing else.—Yours, etc., October 17, 1933. SHEEP OWNERS AND RUSSIAN TRADE TO 'I HE EDITOR OF Tnß PRESS. Sir,—"X" has revealed himself as a shareholder in the Shell Company, and I I do not blame him for fighting for' larger dividends. To analyse your correspondent's reply, I find that it I is another questionnaire and supply I these answers:— (a> "Did the New Zealand Govern- ; ment confiscate the Waihi Gold Mining ; Company?"—No; but it would if Bol- : became fashionable. (b> "Why drag in the Rothschilds?"! —Because the Nobel-Rothschilds had :> big concessions in Baku and were able! j to unload stock valued at £3,000,000 i | to the British Government before 1914. J (c) "Am I wrong in thinking that the Shell Company has its own tankers?"— Absolutely right. It owns the extensive fleet called the Nederlan:isch Indische Tank Stoomboot Company, whose ships were built in Holland. i (d> The balance of trade stands very j well between New Zealand and Russia owing to re-exports from Britain. ! (c) "Does Mr Hurley regard the! Shell Company as being American?"—; No. The Shell Transport and Trading' Company, Ltd., was registered in Lon-j don on January, 1907, 60 per cent, of} the shares being held by the Royal j Dutch and 40 per cent, by the original Shell Company. Dividends were paid .in London by the " N.M. Rothschild Company of 38 per cent, to 49 per cent, after the watering of shares and provision for large reserves. This is by the way; I still want to know where this petrol comes from and how much money goes to England in payment. It will be interesting to "X" to read the activities of the Royal Dutch-Shell and the Standard in Russia in buying Russian oil.

(f) "If diamonds played an essential part in New Zealand life, would Mr Hurley advocate the formation of an illicit diamond-buying group?"— The answer is "Yes," providing that they were not stolen. I know nothing about diamonds, but if I wanted diamonds I should certainly buy from anyone who could cut the price quality for quality. My invitation to "X" to call round to receive more answers still stands. — Yours, etc., A. T. HURLEY. October 17, 1033. LThc originator of this correspondence, R. B. Neill, may, if he wishes, exercise his right of reply, after which the correspondence will close.— Ed., "The Press."]

MAGISTRATES' SALARIES TO TUB EDITOR OF THB PBES3. Sir, —I trust that favourable consideration will be given to the recent request made by the magistrates that their emoluments, salaries, wages, or whatever their remuneration is called, shail not be reduced. Their request is only in line with the wish expressed at the recent annual meeting of the Employers' Association that an endeavour would be made to settle all future industrial disputes without having recourse to reduction of wages.

The whole banking world of Great Britain is now frankly admitting that the step it took in 1925 of going back to the gold standard, with its attendant evils of deflation, reduced wages, and unemployment, was a grievous mis Lake. U' that course had been correct we would not now see the whole business world on its tip toes, cheering on every increase in prices and spurt of new business just like a football crowd when a try or a dropped goal is scored. If the deflation policy had been right, why has it left everybody in trouble, and why is the reverse policy being hailed with enthusiasm, because whether you get higher prices as a result of direct intentional planning or whether they come "naturally'' from a belated return of confidence, the process is still inflation?

If the magistrates succeed in their efforts they will have carried out a good service in putting a stop to the rot caused by past deflation. For the last four years every benighted individual in this benighted world has been doing his best to reduce the income of the rest of his fellow beings. Why not reverse the process and see what we can all do to increase the other chap's income? It would at any rate be far more in line with the principles of religion we all should practise. What consolation is it to a lot of unemployed people to know that several millionaires are in the same box as a result of the deflation? When these millionaires were flourishing many of them did their duty in the way of employing servants, spending money, and taking the risks of running businesses employing humanity. One millionaire put on the unemployment register as a result of deflation may quite easily bring with him one million of his fellow creatures.

What good has the alteration to the Arbitration Act done—only made the course of deflation easier. The only reasonable objection to the old act was (hat it had the tendency to allow the "lead swinger" to flourish. But you must remember that even military discipline could not control the "lead switutor.'' And how about "lead swinging'" in business management, which, through influence, puts untrained incompetents in positions to mis-manage the savings entrusted to them by shareholders and jeopardise the livelihood of highly skilled and well-trained men.—Yours, etc.,

IVANHOE. October 17, 1933. TO THE EDITOE OP TUB PRESS. Sir,—So the magistrates have got together to petition for a rise in salary. They appear to have learned something from the various trade unions and know the advantages of collective bargaining. In the event of a refusal of the demands, is it possible that a strike in the orthodox manner may result? Then, should any of them refuse to join the strike, would they be liable to be called by a short and ugly name, in the ap"proved manner of the trades union strikers? A short time ago, we remember "listening in" to a meeting in the Salvation Army Hall. The Premier (Mr Forbes) was present to welcome "a distinguished army officer. Among the speakers was a Christchurch magistrate, who exhorted the Premier to go on with the good work of reducing salaries, etc. His words were:—"Our fathers made sacrifices and we are quite prepared to do the same; so I say to you, as Premier, go on in the way you have been doing." That magistrate's name now appears or. the list of signatories to the petition for restoration of the cut. And these be thy Gods, oh. Israel.— Yours, etc., ' J.M. | October i 4, 1933. s

CENTRAL RESERVE BANK TO THE EDITOK OP THE PRESS Sir, —Overseas cabled news fears that control of the proposed Central Reserve Bank will be vested in the State, and that overseas financial authorities think that such control should vest in "financial experts" is interesting. In view of the repeated statement of the Minister for Finance, that the control of the nation's money and credit would be vested in Parliament, it is to be hoped that the "fears" of overseas interests will be justified. New Zealanders may fear that their sovereign right of control over their own means of exchange may pass from them.—Yours, etc., A. E. ROBINSON. ; Auckland, October 14, 1933. ] ROADSIDE TREES j TO TEE EDITOIt OF THE I'IIESS. Sir,—l have read the letter of Mr H. G. Ell, in your issue of October 16, and am sure the executive of the Canterbury Roadside Beautifying Association will appreciate the interest he is taking in this important project. I wish to assure Mr Ell that the points raised by him, as to obtaining the cooperation of local bodies, had been fully considered by my committee, and j steps already taken to attain this end. I It is hoped that the project will | also have the goodwill and support of ; the owners of land adjacent to roads : and this has also been fully considered '■ by the executive. A strong advisory committee has i been set up by the executive to deal with matters which require practical ■ knowledge and experience. i The other suggestions made by Mr; Ell in his letter will, I can assure him, I receive the consideration of my com-1 mittees, especially as the good work ■ in the interests of the community for ] which Mr Ell is responsible, is fully '< recognised and appreciated.—Yours, j etc., ; E. H. WYLES, ; Secretary, Canterbury Roadside Bean-; tifying Association. ! October 17, 1933.

3YA TENNIS BROADCAST TO TBI-: EDITOR OJ" TUB FKEKS. Sir,—-I wnukl like, on behalf of myself and many others, to express our pleasure on the address on "Prospects of the Tennis Season,'' broadcast from 3YA last Wednesday morning, and hope the board will arrange for similar weekly talks, but I would suggest that they be given at the midday or evening meal hour sessions. It is hoped that the tennis authorities are arranging for a broadcast of the forthcoming matches with the New Zealand and English and Australian players.—Yours, etc., October 17. 1933.

\ MISSPELLED WORDS j TA Tllr. EDITOR Of" THE I'HESS. i Sir,—Having reached the philosophic : stage in which I suffer passively the | crude innovations of a world that ; deems change, whether it be wise or I silly, progress—and most of its changes ,are silly—l pay very little attention to such trivial things as misspelled words. They may be. I say to myself, merely another ebullition of the smartness of our clever young world to-day. The old spelling may be damned as wrong because it is Victorian—and I was born a Victorian—miserere Doimini! | The two letters in your Monday's i issue on this subject made me think of a word I often see misspelled—that is if our spelling of other years was correct. I refer to the word "caligraphy," which I almost always see printed "calligraphy." I do not presume to! say which is the correct spelling, but' I shall always spell the word "caligraphy," damning the consequences and running the risk of having it altered, if it should ever fall under the! censorship of a press reader. Will; you say which you think is the cor-! rcct spelling?— Yours, etc., ! SCRIBE. ! October 17, 1933. | [All the office dictionaries spell the! word "calligraphy."—Ed. "The J Press."]

GAMING AMENDMENT BILL TO TDK EDITOR OF TilC ritKSS. Sir,—Mr L. M. Isilt's teachings for the last 40 years have been against racing and the all-important question of drink; and yet what produces more revenue to this country than the taxation on racing and drink? If Mr Isitt and his host of followers were to agree to have themselves taxed to the amount of revenue racing and drink add to the exchequer then no one who indulges in racing and drink would grumble; but they will not. All they do is to pass stupid resolutions and have these sent on to the different governments that happen to be in power.

Are the sporting fraternity of this country and the Government going to be dictated to by these people? If they are it is time a government that thinks for itself should fill the Treasury benches. —Yours, etc., FED UP. October 17, 1933. POISONING OF DOCS TO Tnn EDITOR Or' TIIK PRB3S Sir, —In reply to Mrs Houston. I would point out that in her letter datec' October 10 she protested against the poison being laid near a trap, as a trapped rabbit might eat it, and later be used for human consumption, but she did not protest on the ground of suffering for the rabbit. In her letter, dated October 12, she says: "Who is to know that it is used for rabbits, or how much of the deadly thing is used for that purpose": but she does not protest against it being used for that purpose. She objects to the possibility of the poison being distributed to dog or cat poisoners, but not to the sale of it to rabbit poisI oners. In the face of this, what other I conclusion could I come to but that | she did not object to the use of poison ; for poisoning rabbits? I One would expect that what has [ taken place in Christchuj,\ch recently | would be a lesson to all owners of : dogs everywhere, and that there would ! not now be a dog on the street, except i under proper control, and that there i would not be a dog barking at night; : but this is not so. There seem to bi just as many dogs without anyone in charge, and there certainly are just as many barking at night as formerly. If the happenings of the last few weeks do not teach owners of dogs a lesson, i one wonders just what is necessary ; to teach that lesson. They evidently j have no thought for their neighbours.! In fact, they do not seem to begin to: think till something happens their own : dog.—Yours, etc., j CONTROL. I Ashburton, October 17, 1933.