LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24986, 21 September 1946, Page 5

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

1. Letters sent to the Editor for printing must be written in ink on one side of the paper only, and writers must send in their names and addresses in full, whether they wish these to be printed or not. 2. Writers must say clearly whether or not their letters are being or have been sent to other papers. 3. The Editor cannot return or keep any letter which for any reason is unsuitable for printing, nor can he acknowledge unsuitable letters, although this will be done where it seems to be needful, or enter into any correspondence about letters sent in. . . 4. Letters must not be of more than 150 words in length. Billy Boy.—Too long. W. R. Campbell.—Too long. See top of column. x < BRETTON WOODS Sir,—May I call attention to a telegram from Washington which appeared in “The Press’’ of Saturday and deserves quotation in full? “The United States informed the International Monetary Fund that the American dollar’s par value would remain at 35 dollars to an ounce of gold, following the British Treasury’s statement that the sterling-dollar exchange rate would remain unchanged. The American announcement is regarded by Monetary Fund officials as assuring a stable foundation for the fund’s operations which are expected to begin early in 1947.’’ It confirms what many of us think, that the Bretton Woods agreement means a return to an even more vicious gold standard than before. The ipse dixit of the Federal Reserve Bank (that is the United States) is henceforth to determine the “monetary” value of gold and thus the fate of all nations who sign the Bretton Woods agreement. If this is not dictatorship, what is?—‘Yours, etc., EREWHON. September 20, 1946. COURTENAY STREET, ST. ALBANS Sir,—Several weeks ago a representative of the City Council canvassed residents of Courtenay street (north) with a proposal to change its name to “Newall.” This was the only name submitted by the council’s representative. We were asked to send any other name we preferred. Later the same day, a resident canvassed the street suggesting “Roosevelt.” Again we were taken by surprise. Having been ratepayers in this street for 25 years,- we wrote on August 2 to the council, proposing “Upham” as a name, after Captain Upham, V.C. and bar. If not a New Zealand name, we would have preferred an illustrious British name. Our request was favourably received by the council, but “Roosevelt” was chosen. Without due consideration, 32 residents made their choice. The street signs are up!— Yours, etc., S.J. September 20, 1946.

LICENSING COMMISSION Sir, —It is very hard to follow the findings of this commission. In the first place it states that there is too much drunkenness in New Zealand. It then goes on to suggest longer hours and night trading, licensing restaurants, stronger ale and stout, clubs to be allowed liquor for social functions, special rooms in hotels for men and women to drink in, thus making facilities which would greatly increase drinking, especially among young folk. Would it not have been for better for the commission to suggest to the Government that it should take off the wartime restrictions —first Saturday afternoon closing—and making the hotelkeeper responsible for seeing that chits are signed with drinks. The laws at present are not obeyed and are broken every day and night. Why not bring them right up to date and give the people of New-Zealand what they want?—Yours, etc., PUZZLED. September 20, 1946. EGG-BEATERS Sir, —In a city window to-day is a display of egg-beaters—l should think —of Australian manufacture. The price is marked 6s 6d. Recently I purchased an egg-beater of the same brand in Sydney for 9s 6d. Could any of your readers account for such disparity in the two prices?—Yours, etc., PANCAKE. September 20, 1946.

RADIO PROGRAMMES Sir,—ln answer to the letter by “Mother of Three,” concerning the talks at 12.30, personally, I always enjoy listening and find our lady announcer most interesting in all she has to broadcast. “Penny and Bill Wise” I have followed in all series and as for “Chuckles with Jerry,” well what is the old saying? “A little nonsense now and then is relished by the wisest men.” So carry on with the good work, 3ZB. —Yours, etc.,

A’WELL WISHER. September 20, 1946.

Sir, —From what we read, there are evidently great changes in the offing regarding radio reception, etc. and it would surely be unwise to spend all our reserve, and more, on a national orchestra, which I cannot see will provide any better programmes. As with all Government cbntrols, we have to “pay the piper” and have no say in what we pay for. The smaller stations could be strengfhened and provide classical music continuously; the Y.A. stations could report all sports, serials and mixed programmes; and the commercial stations could give the jazz and crooning. Then everyone will be satisfied. With all the recordings of beautiful music we already have, I consider the orchestra an unnecessary and unjustified expense; and with more than £3OOO profit on the “Listener” we should have less space provided for advertisements and more for more detailed programmes.—Yours, etc., « E.G.W. September 20, 194&, ,