POINTS FROM OTHER LETTERS

Press, Volume LXXXI, Issue 24603, 27 June 1945, Page 4

POINTS FROM OTHER LETTERS

On “Food for Hungry Europe,” “C.V.H." writes: “May I suggest that the paltry bit of butter we are asked to sacrifice be mixed with the Canadian flour they have Imported and blended with Australian eggs, sugar, and sultanas. Shiploads of beautiful rich cake could then be sent to Britain. The children would be delighted and it wduld let the world see that New Zealand, under a Socialist Government, can produce food in abundance.’ On the same subject “Parcel” complains of the small amount of food New Zealanders are permitted to send in parcels to Britain. “What a parcel,’ writes the correspondent. “Gross weight 61b with packing and weight Of containers about 3Jib- What a feed for a family of six or seven. Then we are charged ...3s 4d postage, about Is per lb on the weight of the food. “Common Sense” (Geraldine) agrees that Britain needs more food but says that "no one seems to know how many racehorses Britain can still manage to feed and‘where the food comes from. Someone has pointed out that 20,000 acres are needed to- supply these Useless animals with oats And chaff m New Zealand.” Replying to "Not a Farmer,” “Wheatgrower” says that “this seaspn’s price for wheat was 6s 6d, not 7s Id, as quoted. This price is f.0.b., which costs from 3d to 4d a bushel, plus cartage to rail, which in some cases costs 8d a bag, so the farmer nets under 6s at harvest time.” ~ , , H. Bliss thinks that a survey Should be made of land drainage other than just the low-lying areas in Christchurch. “There is low-lying land, adjoining the Avon, and a large area of land from the New Brighton road to the back of Travis's swamp, which would show improvement from better drainage.” The writer thinks that an excellent case could be made out for further steps in the direction of estuary improvement. .. „ „ “Where Ignorance is Enthroned’ quotes a report from the Canadian “Prairie Farmer" df 36 conscientious objectors, chosen from thousands who volunteered, being used to test the effects of starvation diets now common in Europe. Later they will try various suggested rehabilitation diets and information obtained will be used in rehabilitation programmes in war-torn countries. This, the writer says, “should prove to the Returned Services’ Association that the objectors have some kindly feelings towards humanity ” / "Suffering” complains that though claims are being made for increased wages for various workers it is noticeable that “old age pensioners are pushed well out of sight and forgotten. Nothing is done for them, though they can scarcely keep body and soul together at the present time.” "Wondering" supports the proposal that family allowances should be paid to the mother. “The mother,” writes "Wondering," “has to deny herself of many little pleasures and luxuries to balance the budget, and is unable to earn owing to motherhood being a fulltime job.” • . . . . , “Justice” writes that “few object to the persistent hatred shown by the Returned Services’ Association to conscientious objectors.” The writer recommends association members to read a letter from London in this month s “Church News” stating the British atti- , tude to the cbnscientipus objectors and comments, "Surely our country can be as tolerant." .. , - “Tolerance” thinks the Returned Services’ Association’s resolution about military defaulters is misdirected and uncalled for. The writer commends the Government's decision to appoint appeal tribunals, and holds that many genuine objectors were put into detention camps. -