LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23859, 30 January 1943, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

T. A. Mac Gibbon, M.D.—Far exceeds space limit (150 words). Winifred A. Holben.—Exceeds space limit. Hiram Hunter.—The 20 per cent, is only on a limited range of luxury commodities-. The general increase is to 10 per cent, and some commodities carry no sales tax. STATE MARKETING Sir, —As one. would expect, the Internal Marketing Department is being condemned during the by-election campaign. Mr Herring says the idea was sound, but the job fell into wrong hands, but most people must have seen that the whole scheme was unsound. Take apples: anybody knows that when fruit is packed it should go at once to the market or cool store, but the politicians did neither; they set up receiving depots and put in an army of men between the grower and auctioneer. Our apples are carted to the depot, then to the cool store, back to the depot for repacking and then to the market. This results in a scandalous waste of petrol and manpower. The two State departments handling the fruit know little about it. The result is that much of the fruit arrives at the market in a shocking condition. —Yours, etc., ORCHARDIST. January 28, 1943. SOLDIER HARVESTERS Sir,—As a representative for my part of the county. I attended a meeting of the Primary Production Committee at Cheviot on Saturday evening. I was rather disturbed to hear one speaker as saying that he had four good lads stacking oats in the boiling sun of Saturday last, and their allotment for to-day was 2s 6d, and that his wage would: be 7s for the day. In other words, the Government was charging 2s 4Jd an hour. The balance, I will presume, goes into the Government coffers. More serious, one young upright well-built man was working in civilian pants. When asked the reason he said he had worn out his issue of shorts and denims. This is an outrage, and by the tone of the meeting, no farmer desired to see these boys toiling in the field for their Army pay but with no growling, and hardly any shirt. The scheme is sound and well thought out. and is proving a great boon here in Cheviot, but is liable to be wrecker, under the conditions laid down.— Yours, etc., JUSTICE. Cheviot, January 12, 1943. Sir,—"Soldier Farmer’s” reply to my letter in no way alters my opinion of the whole situation of soldier harvesters, which has all the earmarks of a dirty trick in spite of the nobler side as presented by “Soldier Farmer. I am sure "Soldier Farmer’ must feel very proud of himself, knowing that he is doing such a wonderful job as seeing strange country, meeting strange people, and doing a little harvesting in between times. “Soldier Farmer tells us that the men were given the chance to remain in camp if they wished. Rather a Hobson’s choice, eh? Anyone who has had anything to do -with the Army (and .who. hasn’t these days?) knows what that means: Go harvesting or else! Of course if he is a farmer his attitude is understandable, as we chaps who have worked for farmers know what the word agitator means. In spite of “Soldier Farmer’s” effort to help Mr Barclay, I am still waiting for an answer to my question, namely. What are the camp funds and where and when used?— Yours, ets., No. 26240. January 21, 1943. [These letters were referred to military authorities, but no answer has been received. —Ed., “The Press.”] • CHRISTCHURCH EAST Sir,—Permit me to disagree with a statement in your leading article of Wednesday, January 27, “There is little need, even for logical completeness, to inquire into the meaning of a win for Mr Herring.” Let me affirm there is a grave, fundamental need. If the electors of Christchurch East vote intelligently, if they are concerned with implementing democratic liberties in the councils of the Labour Party and Labour Government then they will vote 100 per cent, against the Government candidate—Miss M. Howard. Essential democratic machinery, provisions of initiative and referendum do not operate in the Labour movement, while the principle of recall is entirely ignored. The pledge is a weapon of dictatorship employed to expel critical representatives of unions from Labour Representation Committees.—Yours, etc . ' OWEN J. F. McKEE. January 29, 1943. MIDDLE EAST SOLDIERS Sir, —There is a lot of silly talk about our men being returned. I have only the one son,,who went away four years ago. .He has'been on desert patrol and all the other arduous activities entailed; yet he does not complain. He would, of course, like .to return, and nobody would be happier to see him than I. He says in recent letters that he signed on to do a job, and he is staying on to see it finished. Also, he says, he is not the only one who intends to see it out. Quite 75 per cent, of the men all adopt the same tone. I would very much like to have my son home again, but I admire his attitude. —Yours, etc., MOTHER. January 26, 1943. FENCES Sir,—A detective once said that high fences are the cause of petty thieving. This may be the reason why, in the 25 years 1 have been without a front fence, I have had nothing stolen. Perhaps drunks and petty thieves are not so numerous. We are inclined to people the world with the creation of our own minds. Entries are advertised for by the Christchurch Beautifying Association for a competition to find the most beautiful garden, as seen from the street. The winners are invariably those without a front, fence or with a very low one. I have been round with the judges for the last eight years and never heard a complaint about thieving.—Yours, etc., H. TILLMAN. January 26, 1943. [This correspondence is now closed.— Ed., “The Press.”] SEAT OF GOVERNMENT Sir,—Could any of your readers inform me why Parliament buildings and the seat of Government are not shifted to Christchurch? It appears to many friends and myself that as many of the Ministers of the Crown and members of Parliament find it convenient to be either in or passing through Christchurch at the present time, this would save travelling expenses and leave more accommodation on boats, trains, etc., for members of the armed services on leave.—Yours, etc., SOLDIER. January 29. 1943. PACIFIC NEEDS Sir, —I am sure thj man in the street will warmly applaud Mr Curtin’s courageous and frank broadcast to the Australians and Americans. New Zealand and Australia have given generously of their manpower and now is the time to consider their Pacific needs and wage a more vigorous war on the tenacious Japanese. Russia and China, too. would benefit. They have long waited for the European second front I sincerely hope our i r ew Zealand Government will support Mr Curtin’s statements and help bring the war to a speedy end.—Yours, etc., H S January 28. 1943.

IN 1938 the Canterbury General labourers’ Union was compelled to draft new rules to replace its 1935 obsolete rules but instead of giving expression to the democratic aspirations of members the Head Executive produced a set of amendments that gave it more power than it had under the old rules. It provided for a District Executive composed of Head Executive and one representative from South Canterbury to replace Timaru Branch Committee; provided also for old method of electing officers of Union at annual meeting in Christchurch, thus depriving members in remote areas, of Canterbury of their democratic rights. There were many other anomalies, but the whole procedure was Illegal in drafting new rules: dissension followed. A refusal to recognise the newly registered rules led to drafting, by a rank and file committee, of another set of rules. These were endorsed by Timaru Branch but Head Executive ignored the- decision of rank and file Committee and set out to make these rules as undemocratic as the 1938 rules. A deadlock followed. Head Executive set out to disrupt the Timaru Branch. A legal action followed and the 1938 rules were declared illegal and Head Executive also illegally elected. Following this action another civil action became necessary owing to Miss M. B. Howard’s •circulating a manifesto allegedly representing the effect of the Magistrate's decision in Timaru, February, 1940. Following this decision of February, 1940 a new Head Executive was elected under questionable circumstances, but its administration of Union affairs continued to be as unconstitutional as previously; and it is still being so conducted, while it has completely wiped - out the Timaru branch. New Zealand Workers’ Union Head Executive Defiance pf Rank and File Ballot for Organisers in 1939 the conference of N.Z.W.U. decided that organisers be elected by the rank and file on a popular vote. The first vote for Canterbury was held in April. 1940: the result was. J. Leckie 616 votes, M. Eaton 510,- J Galletly 505 elected: A. J. Hamilton, defeated. ’ Subsequently the conference of June, 1940, decided that two organisers were sufficient The Head Executive decided not POINTS FROM OTHER LETTERS On "Banking and the State,” “Analyst” writes: “The present relation of banking to the State appears to be unsatisfactory in many ways. It might, however, be better to leave the details of banking management to the existing organisation, but to give the State a freer hand in directing genera] policy." “Disgusted” complains of the action of women in the Botanic Gardens playground in occupying more seats than they are entitled to. “One adult sat on each of three seats all afternoon, while quite a number of ladies between 60 and 70 were sitting on the grass.” “Sub-Warden” writes: “I suggest that the E.P.S. be disbanded. The War Cabinet is plaimy of opinion that this country is no longer in danger of attack, so there is no further use for the scheme. The use of the localte.P.S. as a ‘chocolate. alley’ stunt in a by-elec-tion shows what it has degenerated into.” “Fish and Chips” writes: “It is neces-. sary . . . for the true lover of peace to scrutinise carefully the aims and personnel of any ‘peace movement’ to which he is invited to adhere, if he is to avoid being drawn into giving aid. unawares, to a most insidious form of propaganda to wreck the very cause which he desires to .serve.” "Give Them a Break” writes: “Mr Doidge contends that the return of the New Zealand Division in the Middle East'is impracticable, because of transport difficulties. At the same time, he admits, although not with enthusiasm, that the tr.ops have earned a respite. . . . General Smuts, in a recent speech, stated that it would be necessary to keep some forces in Africa, even after Tunisia had been cleared. This should provide the opportunity to give the New Zealanders the respite they have earned.” "Refund” writes: “Recently I received medical attention during an illness. For the doctor’s services I was charged 10s, 6d. When I applied for a refund I was amazed to find that only 7s 6d was refundable. This is not right. The whole object of the social security medical benefits was to provide- free benefits for all eligible. Should not doctors’ fees be made fixed to meet the amount refundable? All wageearners are paying for these benefits and expect to receive them.” On "Grade II and 111 Men," "Volunteer” writes: "I wonder what ‘One Who Knows’ means by saying that grade II men are hiding behind their medical grading, holding cushy jobs? ' What kind of job has he got, or is he After one of the cushy jobs himself? I know several men who are longing to go into camp, as well as grade 111 men. I think he should look round and see how many of these men have cushy jobs before he squeals.”

to permit Mr Eaton to take up orgmi«j • ing duties as desired by the rankijjijt - file. A dispute followed but gaHrffMff v was denied to members—they refusettai' 'is buy tickets in November, 1940. : ThS'lSff •■" ticnal President, Mr R. Eddy, lmrtrip« ,W Mr C. E. Baldwin to communiMtejS®|| the Hon. R. Semple, Minister of -PnWy.yj; Works, asking him to enforce S«rtloBS r -(i7 of. the Public Works workers* agreenmiwf The clause was enforced. MofetßfSS 300 men were dismissed. Mr . vilified the men as non-unionists legging their own agreement.*' -Bpttintfs men stood firm and the Union Hejrsw Executive supported by a' tyrannical vjg>B ister of Public Works had td swaMg® humble pie and climb down. :■ • CONTRAST THE ATTITUDE HOWARD AND MR SEMPLE WITHTOIpB OF THE LEADERS OF THE CRATIC LABOUR PARTY. W. E. Barnard and Mr J. A. telegram to the Hon. R. Semple, -.expiptfiffl ing the hope that “political influenc£S|3| not be used to dragoon a groupof;w«S|ffl ers on the South Island Main Trunk’ have a legitimate grievance, which sMS-® be investigated before the power o|j|| State is invoked to fortify' headquatn3ys against rank and file members nfXnt}., Workers’ Union.” ’, , ■ jSmh I CHALLENGE MISS M. B. HOWARD® defend the administration of her ExectiffiS; 1 of the General Labourers* Union, Mil CHALLENGE HER DEFENCE OrdSffi UNCONSTITUTIONAL INCREASE:OI® , PER WEEK IN HER SALARY FROMMS TO £l2 PER WEEK. I CHALLENGE MR R. SEMPLE fend his unwarranted support of the, S® . reaucratic Head Executive of the ‘"'amli. Workers*. Union. As I also challenge hftßllli defend the bureaucratic conduct., o&4k: Labour Party in-expelling Jack, tee : am® many others, to say nothing of exclajSja; Trades Union representatives from. Lajllrag Representation Committees whose are critical of the Labour Party.«v| Labour Government. ■_ r-jaai ELECTORS! VOTE 100 PER CESffiffl AGAINST THE GOVERNMENT "AMM ITS CANDIDATE, MISS M. B. HOWAWM (Signed) OWEN J. F. McKEE,' -.iSjp Independent Socialist Candidate fotjHK-! Christchurch East Electorate.!