LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25346, 20 November 1947, Page 12

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

1 Letters sent to the Editor far 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.

W.E.—Your inquiry was referred to a leading philatelist in Christchurch, who said that if the stamp were a British one it was definitely not a rarity. If the stamp had 16 pearls in the corner its value was 6d for 100, and if it had 14 pearls its value was several shillings for 100.

TUESDAY’S FIRE

No letters discussing the causes of Tuesday’s fire and the deaths of its victims will be printed until the inquiry into the fire has been held.— Ed., “The Press.”

FIRE VICTIMS

Sir, —I would like to make the following appeal to all citizens who are thinking of showing their deepest sympathy to the victims of the catastrophe that has befallen this fine city. No doubt many thousands will be wanting to send floral tributes as a mark of respect. The city florists will be unable to cope with the orders, no doubt. My suggestion is for those sympathetic people to send a home-made wreath, or just a bunch of flowers, and to give the money they would have spent on a floral tribute to the relief fund that may be opened for the victims’ dependants. A depot could be opened at the King Edward Barracks for the reception of the flowers. Enclosed is my £2 2s (two guineas) I would have spent on a wreath as a mark of deepest sympathy to the victims who were strangers to me but my fellow citizens and yours.—Yours, etc., G. DEARMAN. SEN. November 19, 1947. [We shall be glad to accept and acknowledge donations for the relief of fire victims’ dependants.—Ed., “The Press.”] Sir, —Regarding the sorrowful affair that has befallen our city, I would like to suggest that a fund be opened immediately by all newspapers throughout New Zealand for those who have lost loved ones and those fortunate to escape. Many will be without hat or coat, or perhaps have lost money in a handbag and will have lost wages for the time being. I myself wish to offer £5 to start the fund, and even Is will help.—Yours. (MRS) F. McKAY. November 18. 1947. Sir, —Yesterday’s fire wag the biggest tragedy that has ever happened in Christchurch, taking toll of many precious lives. 1 observe that only a very, very few flags are at half-mast in sympathy with the relatives of those who have lost their dear ones. It is to be hoped that all business firms and others who have flag-poles will display a flag at half-mast now and until after the funeral.—-Yours etc., E. THOMPSON. November 19, 1947.

TUESDAY’S FIRE

Sir,— Perhaps this awful tragedy will bring home to us smug, selfsatisfied New Zealanders the terrible carnage of war as nothing else could. When we remember that such scenes as were witnessed on Tuesday were but the normal sights of Europe (including, of course, Britain) for at least four years; and when we remember as we can. all of us, that there were in vast areas no humanitarian organisations such as performed so well on Tuesday, willing and ready to care for the fatherless and motherless babies and children; and when we remember that such children and youths who did survive are reverting rapidly to barbarism; and when we remember that such things happen because in our insolent greed we defy God in small things as well as great; then let us, in our hearts, resolve. come what may, that war for any reason whatsoever will never again defile this earth.—Yours, etc., H. W. LORD. November 19. 1947.

PROSPECTIVE IMMIGRANTS

Sir, —I have had a letter from Scotland from a couple who want to come to New Zealand. They are both teachers in a large school, where pupils from five to 17 years of age are taught. The husband proposes to come first (but not unless he has a job to come to) and when he has a home (which shows they have no idea of t’.e housing shortage), then he will, send for his wife and two sons, aged seven and 10. They have a lovely home of their own. He stood for the local town council and was elected. Is there such a thing out here as an exchange of teachers, a New Zealand teacher to go Home for one year and the one at Home to come out here and take his place for one year? What would any of your readers advise this couple to do?—Yours, etc., November 17, 1947.

THE VATICAN AND U.S.A.

Sir, —The London newspaper “Reynolds’ News,” in its issue of September 7, contains the following item, which suggests a clue to much that is in the cable news recently. POPE MAY CALL FOR U.S.-VATICAN

AXIS. (By Special Correspondent.) “The Pope will make an important speech to-day. It is believed that he will call for a new crusade against Communism, in which the forces of the Catholic Church, as the greatest spiritual force, and the U.S.A, as the greatest lay Power, can be joined. In a recent exchange of letters between Mr Truman and the Pope, the U.S. President is said to have promised material support to the Vatican campaign against Communism.” —Yours, etc., A.H.S. November 17, 1947.

SPAIN

Sir,—From your article on Spain today it seems that Franco’s Government is no danger to any other nation; that his removal at present would almost certainly involve his country in renewed civil war; and that there would be danger of such civil war spreading to other countries. Why, then, should any “peace-loving” people want to interfere? It may be added that Spaniards seem more contented under their dictator, than many nations under “democratic’ ’ governments.—Yours, G. F. SEWARD. November 15, 1947.

BROADCAST SKETCH CRITICISED

Sir,—l wonder Yiow much longer listeners will have to put with the inane sketches which the New Zealand Broadcasting Service produces and 3YA puts on the air on Sunday evenings. Last night’s effort was “One Fine Day"; and a more gabbled twaddle would be hard to find anywhere. Surely plenty of short, instructive sketches could be put on. —Yours, etc., DISGUSTED. November 17, 1947.

POTATOES

Sir, —Now that the State gramophone has persuaded the people to plant more potatoes, it would be timely to be told how to cook them in a manner to suit the palate. Mature potatoes are not attractive unless accompanied by one or another of those substances known inelegantly as “fats.” Our butter is being sold all over the world and fat must be saved for Britain, so what have we? Gravy is a good mixer with potatoes, but for small families the weekly joint will have to go through the wringer to cope with the spate of tubers in the coming winter.—Yours, etc., BROCK. November 14, 1947.

BALLET SEASON

Sir, —In answer to “Balletomaniac,” may I quote a world famous authority on ballet: “There is always a type of mind ready to condemn the present in the name of the past . . . memory is flatteringly deceptive.” May I also remind him that we are now considering a company formed and developed in a few years—many thousands of miles away from the main ballet centres —from a group of young persons who worked in offices, etc., for a living, and gave their spare time and energies to the study of dancing. Their achievements are remarkable and worthy of full support.—Yours, etc., BALLETOMANE. November 16, 1947.

COLLECTING FOR FOOD PARCELS

Sir, —In reply to the statement made at a recent meeting of a women’s organisation and printed by “The Press” on November 14. concerning the spending of money raised by children on Guy Fawkes Day, I would like to say that although some children may have put their money to other uses we of the Junior Red Cross in Oxford did not. The £2 10s raised by the children was handed to the Red Cross organiser in Oxford to be used for food parcels, and a letter of thanks has been received from the Christchurch organiser. I am sure if the speaker realised how we feel about the people in Britain she would understand that the money would go to the cause stated. We resent collecting for food parcels being considered unchristianlike. If this is the case, what is not? —Yours, etc., ALL FOR A GOOD CAUSE. Oxford, November 19,194?.