LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23848, 18 January 1943, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

David Nicholson.—Far exceeds space limit. INCREASED WOOL PRICES Sir,—With less than two months to the ewe fairs we have recently had brought to our notice the five-month-old recommendations of the Stabilisation Committee. We still do not know how much of the 15 per cent, increase the producer will be granted. Clause 1 of the recommendation says that 1J per cent, will be paid back to cover the increase on the local consumption of woollen goods being stabilised. Are woolgrowers now to look upon the 15 per cent, as a gift from the New Zealand Government, and to pay them back li per cent, so that they can subsidise (now spelt stabilise) the local secondary wool industry? , , , t . If this is the case, the stabilisation comes from the British wool industry, which is apparently in a strong enough position to be able to subsidise our Government to the value of 15 per cent, of the wool that is exported, even after standing war risk and transport halfway round the world.—Yours, etc.,B.G.R. January 16, 1943, A TIBETAN PROPHECY Sir,—According to Dr. Mac Donald Bayne, writing in “New Life,” aTibetan sage, Ceshi Thudru, prophesied in 1937 that Britain and France would be at war with Germany in September, 1939; tha’t France would capitulate and leave Britain to carry on the struggle alone; that Germany would attack her ally, Russia; that Japan would strike at the United States, at the end of 1941, which would throw the United States 100 per cent, into the war; and in 1943 Russia would break through into Germany and raze her cities to the ground. The doctor concludes by saying that the question we have to ask ourselves now is whether we are to have another war on our hands a few years hence.— Yours, etc., E. M. LOVELL-SMITH. January 15, 1943. PUBLIC CONVENIENCES Sir, —In recent years three public conveniences have been closed, viz.: 1. Corner of Gloucester street and Manchester street. 2. Junction of Manchester street and High street (outside Excelsior Hotel). 3. Junction High street and Cashel street. Of these only the latter has been replaced by the one in Manchester street (next to Embassy Hotel). This is a retrograde step and a reflection on our city. These places are necessary and their absence probably accounts for the misuse of the shelters. We are indebted to “The Press” for taking up this matter. Readers should support this movement.—Yours, etc., PROGRESS. January 16, 1943. Sir,—As a resident in this city for 80 years, kindly grant me space to discuss the “public convenience” question. In what are spoken of as the “good old days” every hotel had a public convenience, and these were open day and night. What is the position now? According to this morning’s issue of your paper, four men were fined. I nave had occasion, to be in the city early in the mornings, when no conveniences are open, and all the hotel conveniences locked up. Having undergone an operation, like many of the old men who have been fined, one can just say, “It’s very awkward.” I maintain that the present conditions, in comparison with fhe earlier days are a disgrace to our city. As a grandfather, I should not like my name appearing in the Magistrate’s Court news, under the charge to which I refer. Can it be true, that the police on night duty have to walk to the police station?— Yours, etc., PUT YOURSELF IN HIS 'PLACE, January 15, 1943. Sir,-r-Your editorial in “The Press” this morning on public conveniences will be welcomed by every citizen of Christchurch. It is to be hoped that the City Council will take prompt steps to deal with what is little short of a scandal. For the last five years it has been necessary—at least three mornings a week—to wash out the three doorways and doors of our office building with strong disinfectant, before commencing the day's work. Surely this is a disgrace in a modern city. This is by no means an exceptional case as occupants of other buildings in the vicinity will testify.—Yours, etc., OFFICE TENANT. January 15, 1943. FENCES Sir, —If your correspondent, H. Tillman, likes to have his property unfenced, well, let him have it so. But surely all may please themselves in a small matter like this.—Yours, etc., WHAT NEXT? January 15, 1943. Sir,— Having about 12 months ago removed my fence, I would like to express an opinion, I would say definitely, “Do not remove your fence” under present conditions. I live opposite a school. The little girls do take the flowers, but you can in a measure deal with children. I have also had a little to put up with as regards dogs, but the chief trouble has been “cats,” two-legged ones and not "toms” either. These vandals pull the plants out by the roots, blossoms and all. This happens at least once a week. Only a few nights ago two plants of stock were removed. These were tied and staked. The stakes were impudently thrown back on the lawn, and a trail of leaves from the plants went eastward. I was telling a very elderly lady about what.had happened and she showed me what had happened to her flowers on the street line, but in her case the roots were left. This lady lives a few doors nearer town than I do.—Yours, etc., CITY. January 15, 1943. ARMY USE OF PETROL Sir, —Since part of our Army came to our district, I am definitely of opinion that it would be a sound economic proposition fdr “the powers that be” to conscript our local petrol controller, put him in the Army with the rank of a colonel, and pay of £IOOO a year, and place him in charge of Army petrol (and tyre) supplies.—Yours, etc., F. C. de LAMBERT. January 11, 1943. SUGAR RATIONING Sir, —I have paying guests and applied to the Post Office for extra sugar. I was’ advised to collect ration books from guests if they stayed more than even days. Am I entitled to collect all the ration, that is, the sugar allowance for jam? I had a party who did not bring their ration books but sent me coupons to the value of lOoz each a week. What is my position, as one simply can’t provide tea six times a day, with sugar included, on a lOoz supply?— Yours, etc., BADLY BITTEN. January 14, 1943. t“lf the guests stayed for more than seven days, one coupon should be obtained for each such period,” it was stated at the Chief Post Office, “and during the months in which extra sugar is provided for jam, each coupon would, of course, be redeemable at the higher rate (IJlb). Incidentally, the amount was restored from lOoz to 12oz as from December I.”] PEACE OR EASE Sir, —“F.L.8.,” writing on “Peace or Ease,” quotes incorrectly—“ Help then thy brother’s boat across and tow; thine own hath reached the shore.” It should read;—“ Help thou thy brother’s boat across. And lo! thine own hath reached the shore.” —Yours, etc., READER.