LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25394, 17 January 1948, Page 3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

1 Letters sent to the Editor for printing must be written in ink on one side of the caper 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.

T.M.S. (Greymouth).—An official of the Lands and Survey Department replies to your question as follows:—-Grey-mouth is in the Westland district. The Westland provincial land district boundary runs from Perpendicular Point between Greymouth and Westport to Pororari river, Paparoa Range, to Mount Faraday, north along Otututu river, where it joins the junction of the Inangahua and Grey rivers, along Grey river for about 20 miles, and then north to Mount Haast, east to the Southern Alps, not far from Mount Technical, then south along the alps to Mount Huxley, south-east ardund a range of mountains containing Mount Brewster to the Haast Pass, west to Mount Otheron, south to Mount Doris, to Mount *Alba, Mount Aspiring, and then west to Big Bay, near Awarua Point on the east. The Taramakau river does not come into the boundary line.

SECONDARY SCHOOL PUPILS Sir, —It is to be assumed from the reports of university entrance examiners that our secondary school children are becoming incapable of manipulating the English language to meet matriculation requirements. There are two factors which have been omitted from this academic verdict. In the first place, the raising of the schoolleaving age is bringing more pupils within range of university examination halls than ever before, with the result that a greater proportion of the mediocrity are endeavouring to secure examination honours. Secondly, the accrediting system leaves for the university examiner only a restricted proportion of those attempting to gain admission ad eundem statum. The examiners’ alarm does not coincide with my bewilderment at the ever-increas-ing percentage of passes in the “usually well-attended classes” at stage I standard, a year or two postentrance—Yours, etc., ALAN H. SMITH. January 16, 1948.

AID FOR BRITAIN Sir, —“In New Zealand we throw more food off our tables than goes to feed the people of Britain.” This striking statement made in Christchurch yesterday by Mr F. P. Walsh, chairman of the National Aid for Britain Council, is, I think, well worth reprinting. Great stress is always laid on the need for more food production. quite rightly of course, but 'production is a slow process, and whatever we do to-day can probably have little effect for 12 months or so, whereas the need is immediate and desperate. It is surely reasonable to suggest that everything possible should be done, and done at once to put an end to or to greatly lessen this dreadful waste. To allow it to go on unchecked, especially in view of the present world position, is wicked—nothing less.—Yours, etc., GEORGE INGRAM. January 16, 1948. MR HOLLAND’S MESSAGE Sir,—My criticism of part of Mr Holland’s message has drifted into a dueL between Mr John Odgers versus two other correspondents and myself. Because I reminded him of unfair treatment in the past against the wageearners by some employers. Mr Odgers accuses me of class hatred in my letters. Such a statement is contrary to facts. A considerable number of persons who have opposite political opinions to mine are actually personal friends of mine, and are very fine people, for whom I have the very greatest respect. I would like to make it quite clear that I have no enemies, whatever their politics. Just a little friendly advice to Mr Odgers: if he happens to be an employer, give his workers a fair go and they will respond.—Yours, etc., G. E. WRIGHT. January 16, 1948. [This correspondence is now closed.— Ed., “The Press.”] GROCERS’ OBLIGATIONS Sir, —Could you please inform me whether or not grocers are obliged to produce a copy of the Price Tribunal’s price order held by them for examination if demanded by a customer.—Yours, etc., KNOCKED BACK. January 14, 1948. [“The Control of Prices Act, 1947, states that it shall be the duty of every retailer whose business includes the sale of any goods to which a Price Order relates to keep a copy of the price order, or a statement of retail prices fixed thereby in respect of any goods, prominently displayed in his shop,” said the local officer of the Price Control Division (Mr A. B. McLauchlan) when he was asked to comment on this “The act states that the order or statement must be displayed in such a position that a customer may examine it without having to ask for its production, and without having to obtain permission to do so.” added Mr McLauchlan.] IMMIGRATION Sir.—Vide the editorial of January 14. New Zealanders have done nothing to help the “victims of war and oppression,” while Australia has actually filled a camp full of Balts. The academic “student” continues . . . “the only result of this preachment, in New Zealand, is that an accurate record of it may be read among the miscellaneous Parliamentary papers”—piffle! How about our efforts towards UNRRA, CORSO, Save the Children, rationing. Greek Relief, etc. New Zealanders believe in free enterprise; they fought, bled and died for it, according to our press! Now “The Press” is out to protect them in their inalienable right to double up with their inlaws or -camp at Monica Park or the showgrounds—if they like that better. Or maybe “The Press” would sooner fill Wigram with Balts than our own British kith and kin? —Yours, etc., A. E. E. IVORY. January 15, 1948.

IMAGINATION Sir, —As I do a good deal of reading I have come across this gem, which if acted upon would go a long way to ensue peace. J. B. Priestley says, “There are too many mechanically-minded persons in the world now, and people of this type tend to lack imagination. If you suggested to the average young airman that he should alight from his plane in foreign territory and go through the nearest infants’ school and there bash out all their brains with a club, he might resent the suggestion. But he has no objection to dropping high explosive bombs on the same infants. He does not see himself as a child murderer on a fine large scale. (And notice how oddly unreal the world below seems from a plane—a bad business that!) He and his kind do not see anything very clearly. Most of them have very little imagination.” —Yours, etc., H. W. LORD. January 14, 1948. RUSSIA AND WORLD PEACE Sir,—Nothing in my previous letter denied the right of freedom of expression. My protest was made because of the ex parte statements of Mr Rhodes in a supposedly public opinion discussion over the air. There are other points of view, and these should have been heard. In effect, the “discussion” denied “freedom of expression.” For over a century Russia has been trying to expand through other countries, and “other countries” have objected. Russia has no right to complain; and her supporters in other places should not be allowed special facilities for advocating her claims. She has no right to any special consideration in trying to understand her point of view. She has never shown any willingness to understand other peoples’ point of view. Her supporters in this and other countries demand special treatment. It is against this “worship” of Russia as some god-like entity to be appeased that I protest.—Yours, etc., R. J. RAINEY. January 16, 1948. Sir,—l listened to Mr Winston Rhodes from 3ZB on Sunday night. I cannot understand why he wastes his time under the British flag in New Zealand. Why not take a one-way passage to Moscow; he would be welcomed there by Stalin. Molotov, etc., and probably get a few decorations, stars, or whatever they reward them with there for being a stalwart comrade. Perhaps you could enlighten me. Has Mr Rhodes lived in Russia, or does he feed himself on chunks of the vicious Moscow radio, heltoed out •by the Russian papers so kindly provided free and paid for by our beneficent Government?—Yours, etc.. M. F. STRINGER. January 15, 1948. Sir. —They who believe that because Russians are red they should be knifed and bled white are in conflict with those who think that although Russians are left they can by kindness and courtesy be reconciled with those who are right. Mr Rhodes supports the latter view. Supporters of view No. 1 before World War No. 2 forged a knife designed to bleed reds white and placed it in the assassin’s hand. That blade was twoedged and cut west and east. Western gunmen less astute or experienced than the forgers of foreign policy before World - War No. 2 now are busy building a bigger and better butchery; and the results will be exciting and interesting, though less difficult to predict than on the previous occasion. Ordinary folk, neither red nor white, can complete the colour scheme by feeling pretty blue.—Yours, etc.. H. J. BUTTLE. Darfield, January 15, 1948.

Sir, —If we want world peace, the only alternative to an understanding of Russia is a “pax Americana,” driven home by atomic force. 3ZB is to be commended for allowing Mr Winston Rhodes to be one voice introducing reason and sympathy. Of course he is biased, but it is a bias engendered by a study of the subject, and surely more worthy than that of your correspondents who can but repeat the gibberings of Goebbels and his American acolytes. The Soviet constitution is a wonderful' document, and I believe that those elected 'under its powers are fanatical in their intention to implement it. We in New Zealand should fervently hope that those who have taken the oath of allegiance under the American constitution are half as sincere.—Yours, etc., t VARIAN J. WILSON. January 16, 1948. Sir, —Unfortunately some people seem unable to discriminate between legitimate freedom of speech and seditious or near seditious utterances harmful to our approved way of living. It is stated officially that in Russia the workers, under the unremitting pounding of propaganda, are taught to stand together as one against the big bad wolf—Western democracy. Under this false guise of “protection” the Kremlin dictators have organised a powerful armed force throughout Russia to keep down the proletariat. In all factories, mines, etc., there are armed guards throughout, with G.P.U. depots placed conveniently nearby each in case of strikes, or any industrial trouble. When a female worker falls persistently below her category rate she is taken to a so-called training school attached to the factory (like a naughty child) and worked there until she becomes efficient. She is not paid any wages - during this period. The iron curtain? Naturally’ —Yours, etc., VETO January 16, 1948. NEW BRIGHTON CONVENIENCES Sir,—l wonder if the Mayor would say what amount of labour and material would be needed to take the lock off the door of the ladies’ rest room or what it is called at New Brighton. My experience a few days ago was, to say the least, embarrassing. The penny did not operate the fastening I went to get help, which m the end meant interviewing a man; and then was told it was not their business. I was asked to pay 2d to go through the pier gate and then another penny inside. What a step down after paying a visit to Sumner/Yours, etc., , ~ PENNY. January 15, 1948. [“I regret the sad experience of the lad v at New, Brighton, but vandalism at both men s and women’s conveniences and other buildings in the district has been pretty bad. and the council is not always aware of these mishaps.” said the Mayor (Mr E. H. Andrews) when the letter was referred to him.]