LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23752, 25 September 1942, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

P.P.—The question about National Savings has been officially answered. The answer to the other lies open in wartime legislation and regulations issued under it. Inquirer.—The Chief Postmaster, Mr V. C. Lawn, says that he has no recollection of any person’s making such an inquiry; but if you will call person- ■ ally, the matter can be discussed. Disillusioned.—Will be submitted for comment. Producer.—As sooh as possible. . LOCATION OF INDUSTRY Sir, —The Canterbury Manufacturers’ Association is to be commended for advocating a better distribution of secondary industries in New Zealand. But is it in danger of violating the principle it advocates? Smaller towns and country districts are worried by the drift to the cities, even the South Island cities. Sociological considerations should be paramount. Cities can grow too big. Industry well spread in smaller centres make for a better balanced and happier society. Defence considerations overrule economics and demand decentralisation. The recommendation to invite Dunedin to cooperate in stemming the drift to the north does not go far enough. Smaller centres should also be invited to balance the cityward drift. Rehabilitation schemes for the establishment of secondary industries must plan for the whole Dominion, country parts as well as cities. R- turned men will want work in their home town. Factories should be near the raw materials produced on farms.—Yours, etc., A. H. ACHESON. Waimate, September 24, 1942. MEAT PRICES Sir,—ln regard to the sale of pigs at Addington market, the price set for the butchers by the Price Tribunal is Bid per ib. Yet, through buying for the armed forces, the price of pork is inflated to Is and Is 2d per lb. What I want to know is why the armed forces can pay higher prices for pork than are authorised by the Price Tribunal.—Yours. -etc., BUTCHER. September 19, 1942, [Mr T. W. Stephenson, president of the Master Butchers’ Association, when this letter was referred to him, said that meat contractors to the Army had to 'supply the latter’s needs, without respect to the prices paid at public auction. The price of Is 2d per lb quoted by the correspondent, however, was higher than the average of prices paid at Addington.] AMALGAMATION WITH CITY Sir, —Recently a part of the Heathcote County was amalgamated with the city. The sponsors assured ratepayers that the rates would not be increased. I find my rates in no case less than 100 per cent, higher, and in some instances greater than double that levied by the Heathcote County Council.— Yours, etc., WARNED. September 24, 1942. WAR AND MONEY INCENTIVES Sir, —You did not mention in your leader the wages paid to boys and girls. They may earn such pay; but a wise Government would see to it that only a reasonable living and spending allowance was immediately available. Soldiers have to save part of their pay, and so should these juveniles, to be available when they need a home or are out of work. A conscientious objector is supposed to receive the equivalent of Army pay. Why not apply the rule in all cases of exemption from service? There would be fewer appeals.—Yours, etc.. PLAIN JANE. September 18, 1942.

-STUDY OF FRENCH Sir,—No doubt many noted with interest and approval the resolution passed by the Southland High Schools Board, requesting the withdrawal of French from the curriculum of secondary schools. However, it will be too much to expect a conservative University Senate to agree. Few students would waste time learning a language of no practical use to them, if it was unnecessary to do so to qualify for the B.A. degree. Certain of the teaching staff of the colleges would have no work, and soon no pay, if compfilsory subjects were made optional.—Yotrs. 6tc* ** ’’ f SNAKE GULLY. September 19, 1942. EGG MARKETING Sir,—Apropos of the Government’s egg marketing scheme, the following recipe, taken from my cookery book, may be helpful in determining the age of "fresh” eggs: A fresh egg placed in water will sink and lie horizontally on the bottom of a vessel. If from three to five days old, it will rest at a slight angle, the large end uppermost. If eight days old, it will assume an angle of about 60 degrees; if three weeks old. 70 degrees; and after four weeks it will stand upright. We are not told when it will walk.— Yours, etc., CONSUMER. September 23, 1942. POINTS FROM OTHER LETTERS Protesting against the choice of a Sunday for the next E.P.S. trial, “A.8.” says he is not alone in believing that “the greatest danger of these Sunday trials, parades, etc., is that Sunday in its true sense is slowly but surely being ‘choked’ out of existence.” Charles E. Wilson endorses the opinion expressed by the Rev. G. Hanna; “Mature women are required for mental nurses.” Commenting on a recent article describing possible developments in the medical use of koromiko derivatives, Matt A. Thomson (Granity) says that "very amateur experiments” of his have given very useful results in the treatment of skin affections, burns, cuts and bruises, bleeding etc. “The species I use” he adds, “is Veronica sessilifolia; it seems to have stronger qualities than any others I have experimented with.” "Rural” commends the Ashburton County Council’s action in promoting Friday’s conference op the Home Guard and hopes that all units will support the council.