LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Press, Volume LXXX, Issue 24371, 25 September 1944, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

COAL MINING INDUSTRY Sir, —There were broadcast last night from Australian stations proceedings of a large meeting at Canberra discussing the merits of nationalisation of the coalmines against private ownership. Several very able speakers expounded their ■ views, both for ana against. A long, cable was read purporting to emanate from the Hon. ir. C. Webb advising that, as far as New Zealand was concerned, “everything in the garden was lovely” in connexion with the coal industry, and stating that further acquisition of coalmines by the Government was under consideration, etc. At the conclusion of the meeting the chairman announced that the proceedings would be published in booklet form. I suggest that this booklet will contain matter which may oe highly interesting to a large section of the Community at the present time. Yours, etc., pRODDCXION , September 22,1944. THE JAPANESE WAR Sir,—lt was stated in ‘The Press’’ some weeks ago that in Britain they are calling up all the A grade men, even the key men, from industry and training them in an. Army to fight. the Japanese. We assume that in Britain they intend doing the right thing, r - lease as many veterans as Possible when the German war is finished, and make those men who have not done their share of fighting take a turn. Is the same thing going to be done m this country? If nob why not? Or once again, are we going to put the whole burden of the war on the willi„8 mcn7-Your S , ctc., Do mm September 22, 1944. CARTAGE LICENCE Sir,— “Spectator’s” criticism of the Hawarden farmers was a direct contrast to the actual facts. Cartage rates are set on a scale fixed by the New Zealand Road Transport Alliance; therefore the farmers could not possibly save anything in cartage costs had H. Thornley been granted a general licence. Why did “Spectator" pick on the farmers when other members of the district are equally as anxious to see H. Thornley given a fair chance. —Yours, etc., H SIDEY HAWARDEN - WAIKARI ' BRANCH FARMERS’ UNION. Hawarden, September 23,1944. FERNERY-AVIARY Sir,—Some citizens want an aviary in the Botanic Gardens. Some object to native birds being kept in captivity. But are there any who object to a native bird nursery? It is true the birds would be bred in captivity at first, but as soon as a sufficient number of any breed was available some would be released to find a home for themselves in the gardens. Each year on a certain Saturday in the spring the public could be invited to see. the release of the year’s pilgrim birds. Children and some grown-ups who love birds would be attracted to see tuis, bellbirds, and other native birds at close quarters, and who would not enjoy the thrill of seeing them released to find a nesting place for themselves right in our midst? —Yours, etc., ... MOA. September 24, 1944. Sir,—l am getting doddery myself, and it would be “nice” if in my antiquity I might study birdies in an aviary handy to the city. I can but pray, in my poor, selfish. way, that I forget not that the darlings may prefer flying the hilltops and the rivers to being stared at in a snuggery (so ever snug) by me, all old and smug.— Yours, etc., FREEDOM. September 24, 1944. INTER-ISLAND RUGBY MATCH Sir,— Apparently the New Zealand Rugby Union turned on something unique last Saturday at v Lancaster Park, but unique only in its prices for admission—ss 7d for a seat, 4s fid in the hope of getting a seat, and 2s 3d and no hope of a seat, and for children 2s 3d and a chance of a seat and Is and no'seat. The North Island team could play, but a competition match on the same ground on August 26 produced a higher standard of football. The under sst 71b boys put the South Island team to shame. Coaches of teams and club secretaries were not permitted to use their passes. We marvel that our disabled returned soldiers were granted free admission. Referees were admitted probably in the hope of quietening them after a recent insult. Perhaps Captain Boycott has been forgotten. He won’t be in future.—Yours, etc., PLAY THE GAME. TELEPHONE BOOKS Sir, —I see from "The Press” that new telephone books are to be given out shortly. I suggest that the new books be given only on surrender of the old. A quantity of paper would be thus saved.—Yours, etc., WASTE NOT. September 22, 1944. NEW ZEALAND BAND CHAMPIONSHIP Sir, —May I point out that the publicity representative of the Master Butchers’ Community Sing has probably made an unconscious error in referring to Woolston Band as New Zealand’s champion brass band. The present holder of the championship is the St. Kilda Municipal Band (Dunedin), which won at Wellington in 1940. No contest has been held since. The New Zealand championship was inaugurated at Auckland in February, 1925, and of the 15 contests held Woolstoh Band has been the victors on four occasions, 1926, 1930, 1933. and 1939, and St. Kilda on three occasions. 1929,' 1935, and 1940. Owing to the earthquake, no contest was held in 1931, -and contests held before 1925 were not New Zealand championships but North and South Island contests —Yours, etc., EX-ST. KILDA. September 19. 1944.