LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23948, 15 May 1943, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Bare Knuckles.—Exceeds space limit, TRAFFIC Sir,— l quite agree with Mr E. H. Barnett. Chief Traffic Inspector, Dunedin. that main road traffic should have the right of way. and furthermore. I consider all traffic entering a major road from left or right should be compelled to “halt,” which would have the effect of speeding up traffic on main roads and eliminating danger. The system has proved very satisfactory in England, and those like myself who have driven a car through the congested areas of London will agree that it is far less hazardous than driving through Christchurch. The system , in England is very successful, admit.’H tedly due to the control, and I a! I forced to <he conclusion that if more' 1 * traffic lights were installed in this city with such splendid main highways, both drivers and pedestrians would greatly benefit. —Yours, etc.. J. H. GASKELL. May 14, 1943. MARUIA SPRINGS Sir.—Some little time ago I wag pleased to see prominently figuring in “The Press” a proposal by the Progress League that something definite should be done to develop Maruia Springs, but apparently the matter as usual has died a natural death. The Government has spent about £300.000 in opening the Lewis Pass road, and the people of the West Coast and Canterbury will never cease being grateful for this beautiful scenic highway, but apparently it did not realise that this road passes a mineral spring, the curative properties of which are not to be found in any other mineral spring in New Zealand and possibly not in the world. Are we people of Canterbury and the West Coast going to allow these wonderful springs to be practically idle and millions and millions of gallons of health-giving waters to run into the sea?— Yours, etc,, E. P. H. BURBURY. Waiau, May 13, 1943. SOLDIERS’ CLOTHING ALLOWANCE Sir, —On June 8, 1942, I entered camp and was discharged February > 8, 1943, receiving on discharge no allowance for civilian clothing. I have always understood that men in camp for six months are eligible on discharge for this allowance, and accordingly I made application, but was informed that had I been in camp on February 28 this would have been granted. I would be pleased if you would have this investigated for me.— Yours, etc., FATHER OF FOUR CHILDREN, May 13. 1943. [The amendment to the regulations granting the mufti allowance to men discharged or placed on leave without pay after six months’ service applies only to men released on or after March 1. 1943.1 HONEY MARKETING Sir—ln my letter of May 11 I did not show why a uniform price would prove unfair. There are two extremes in beekeeping, between which lie the majority of honey producers. Favourably situated, a beekeeper might control as many as 1000 colonies, and until recent years, would depend almost entirely on the wholesale market. The smaller producer on poorer pasture and low yields might be unable to carry on without the advantage of a retail trade, and might sell no honey .... wholesale. Unlike members of other > farming industries, beekeepers wereevidently not consulted beforehand -. about prices. If these were based on a wholesalers’ outlook, many of the . smaller men would have to give up. Surely small producers should be required to supply proportionately smaller quotas.—Yours, etc.. T.A.S, May 14, 1943. RECLAMATION OF TIN Sir, — I was very pleased indeed to ' hear from Mr John Stewart Canterbury Reclamation Board) fnffl the response to the appeal for tin uf f Christchurch has been so good. The essence of my letter lay in its reference to the advertising methods used here. To place such outrages as those complained of right in the middle of our fair city and directly opposite our fine Cathedral is, to my mind, an insult to/ ■ the intelligence of the public.—Yours, etc GEORGE INGRAM. May 14, 1943. TAXATION OF SOLDIERS’ INCOMES 1 Sir,—Could you give me some information to help in clearing up a discussion on the financial aspect of those drafted into the Army. (1) Is any concession made by the military or civil authorities on the Social and National Security charges payable by a soldier on his private income, derived while he is in the forces? (2) Is there any concession on his income tax? (3) Is there any concession on life insurance policies held by him in his own name? While the amounts of (1) and (2) automatically drop in proportion to a lessened Income, (3) may become an embarrassment owing to a lower earning power.—Yours, etc., RESERVIST. ■ May 11, 1943. [According to an officer of the Land ■ and Income Tax Department, the answers to “Reservist’s” questions are as follows:—(1) and (2) The only concession is that the soldier might postpone payment of any social and na- • tional security tax or income tax until after his discharge from the forces; (3) from a taxation point of view, a soldier is entitled to the same exemption as a civilian similarly placed. If embarrassment is caused, an application for assistance could be made to the Soldiers’ Financial Assistance Board.] A SOCIAL SECURITY QUESTION Sir, —Is a youth 19 years old on leavs from camp without pay from Mav 2, in the event of his not getting Jus Social Security book, liable for this month’s payments.—Yours, etc., F.'H. MILLER. May 12, 1943. [An officer of the Land and Income Tax Department, which administers the taxation provisions of the Social Security Act, said that the youth was not liable for the payment of the 5s social security instalment due on May 1. but would be liable for any subsequent quarterly payments if he is still out of camp on the due dates.] RESTRICTED LIGHTING OF MOTOR-VEHICLES Sir,—Now that the street lights have been restored, when are the authorities going to approve the restoration of motor vehicle lighting? I venture to state that the present dipped and partly obscured lights are responsible for a large proportion of night accidents. Personally. I cannot see why this restriction is not removed.—Yours, etc., MOTORIST. May 4, 1943. [Commenting on this loiter, the Minister of Civil Defence (the Hon, D. Wilson) said: “The whole question of lighting restrictions is constantly under review and no restriction will be allowed to continue longer than is necessary for safety and security.’’!