PUBLIC WORKS CAMP TRAGEDY

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22339, 1 March 1938, Page 13

PUBLIC WORKS CAMP TRAGEDY

to THE EDITOR Of THE PRESS. Sir, —Your correspondence columns are always interesting and enlightening to me, and I had hoped to see a measure of sympathy and refinement under this heading, but. alas, my mind suffered a severe shock and my feelings turned to disgust when I found to my horror that It was just an appeal for support of a political party,

based on accusation of their opponents, which, I am sure, when reasoned out would be totally unfounded. I cannot see any comfort for the bereaved in finding that their loss is turned into political capital. No doubt the Labour Party will have the matter of help for the bereaved considered by Parliament, and it is there that we should see what support the proposal receives. Probably, also, if the union secretary is conscientious in his remarks, he will have found a means of allotting some of the surplus of union funds as a start for the relief fund for the distressed.

However, there is plenty of time before the election to influence people's minds, so why use tragedy and sentiment for the purpose? I am sure that every individual in New Zealand sent out thoughts of sympathy from their very hearts on that occasion, and I wish them help, peace, and comfort at the present time, I know that the people of New Zealand will watch for action on the part of the authorities; and also fpr the Public Works Department to guard against a repetition.—Yours, etc., „ PRACTICAL SYMPATHY. February 28, 1938.