LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25548, 16 July 1948, 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. H. F. von Haast.—Sorry, letters limited to 150 words. —Personal attack over nom-de-plume disallowed. UNITED NATIONS ASSOCIATION Sir,—The 8 o’clock session on Sunday evenings at 3ZB is a treat to listen to. as thinkers propound their views on present-day problems. One fact mentioned last Sunday evening was that the United Nations is the most important organisations in the world today, and yet so few attend the local United Nations Association meetings. Could these be much more widely gublicised? I paid a subscription, but now nothing of the time and place of meetings. I would be willing to leave circulars in boxes of the whole of our street, or do some similar publicising work if it would help. We could well have more than the one session, and that at an obscure hour, from our Broadcasting Service if we were enthusiastic enough.—Yours, etc.. FOR PEACE. June 24, 1948.

[“The writer’s enthusiasm and ready offer of help are much appreciated,” said Mr J. D. Hutchison (vice-presi-dent of the Christchurch branch of the United Nations Association). “A general meeting is called for Tuesday, July 20, at 8 p.m. in the City Council Chambers, and it is hoped the writer will be able to attend. The matter he mentions could be brought up there.”] SUBURBAN TRAFFIC Sir, —Councillor Guthrey’s remarks about traffic inspectors in the city and not the suburbs are timely. I feel sure there are men less able-bodied who would be quite capable of chalking motor-cars, etc., and letting the inspectors come out and see what goes on in our suburbs. An hour or two on Bealey avenue would be an eye-opener. Returning from New Brighton at 6.30 p.m. on Friday, July 9, we.passed 20 bicycles with no lights.—Yours, etc., SUBURB. July 15, 1948. SAFETY IN THEATRES Sir, —While on the subject of theatre fires, might I draw your attention to my experience at a recent matinee. As the house was full, I and several others decided to go out by way of an “exit.” However, we found the door well bolted, although there was a small door open, which the young and agile could easily manage. But what would happen to the not so young one shudders to think. Could not a notice be displayed on how to open the door quickly.—Yours, etc., RUN NO RISKS. July 14, 1948.

LITERATURE Sir, —Once upon a time the classics were minced, premasticated by the elderly, who. perhaps suffering from indigestion, spoon-fed the young, whose healthy appetite required more toothsome morsels to chew and stronger meat .upon which to develop wisdom teeth. Taste becomes perverted if fed upon denatured pap. Is there still regular school essay work? Children heartily enjoy original literary adventure and the work of their contemporaries. An enterprising firm might gain, in a search for talent, by encouraging the young to write and illustrate for the still younger, and, in publication, provide, where the school neglects. excellent and exciting substitute for the eternal “comic.”—Yours, etc., HARNESS REALITY. July 14, 1948. AGE BENEFIT Sir, — Y our correspondent “Fair Play” seems more concerned about attacking Mr Holland’s party than he is with universal superannuation. I would like to suggest to him that if the present administration stays in power much longer there will be no security for anybody, age benefits or anything else. I am an old man; and never during my experience have we had to pay so much for so little. The old age pension of previous days was little enough in all conscience, but the benefit payable to-day is of less value and old people are more harassed by bureaucracy than ever. Perhaps your Labour apologist will answer my query about the so-called universal superannuation—as to why it does not apply to age beneficiaries when it is payable to the rich. Can he justify such an illegitimate measure wrongly named universal?—Yours, etc., OVER SEVENTY. July 14, 1948.

FENDALTON SCHOOL Sir. —It is pleasing to note that the chairman and members of the Fendalton School Committee have at last awakened to their duties to parents. The chairman has announced his intention to resist the Education Board’s decision to transfer certain children to the Heaton street school. A little more determination would have been welcome last year, when the Education Board enforced a dictatorial transfer of pupils to the Kirkwood avenue school. On that occasion the committee, although the matter was brought to its attention, remained silent and inactive. Perhaps Mr Bowman can explain this. —Yours, etc., KIRKWOOD VICTIM. July 5, 1948. [“When the children were transferred to Kirkwood avenue, circumstances were very different,” said the chairman of the Fendalton School Committee (Mr N. D. Bowman) when this letter was referred to him. “The committee, however, was not then approached by the board or the parents’ committee. On this occasion the school committee was approached by both the board and the parents’ committees. The correspondent may be interested to know that we have been unsuccessful in our efforts, goes to show .how powerless the school committee is in such matters.”!

TRANSPORT OF TRAMWAYMEN Sir,—l take this opportunity to remind “Cotton Wool” that some of his (her) statements are contrary to the fact, as the majority of tramwaymen did not know of any suggestion of transport to work until it was published in our newspapers. Tramwaymen do not get a free pass. Uniforms, yes, and only 15 minutes for meal interval. “Cotton Wool” fails to realise there is such a thing as wage tax, which diminishes advertised rates quite a considerable amount. He (she) states that it doesn’t take five years to train a tramwayman. • Well, he is wrong, as some can never be trained. As for citizens amply rewarding the tramwaymen, I also remind him (her) that the majority of tramway men are raetpayers; therefore they contribute to their own wages. “Cotton Wool” should come out in the open, but I must admit “Cotton Wool” for a nom-de-plume suits him.—Yours, etc., C. P. CAMPBELL. July 15, 1948.

Sir, —As a tramway operator I read, with considerable interest, a letter published in your paper or July 14 over the nom-de-plume of “Cotton Wool.” As yet I have not reached a conclusion as to whether your correspondent is endeavouring to pull the cotton wool over the public’s eyes, is airing his ignorance, or is writing the truth. If the latter be the case, I would be glad of proof from him to enable me to institute proceedings against the Tramway Board for (a) recovery of all moneys paid by me for the purchase of free (?) passes; (b) full payment for all meal-reliefs granted me since their inception; (c) payment of the difference of all moneys as shown by their advertisements and my wagesheets. I am also certain that all other ratepaying tramway r.en would also be grateful for this proof.—-Yours, H. HADFIELD. July 15, 1948.

MEDICAL SERVICES Sir, —I noticed in your correspondence column last week a letter of complaint regarding the doctors in the Kaikoura district. I have a household of 12, have had a good share of sickness and minor accidents this 12 months past, and have always received very prompt attention from two very busy doctors. I am very grateful to the doctors and the hospital staff of Kaikoura, hence this note of protest about the letter printed last week. — Yours, etc., W. GULLERY. Kaikoura, July 14, 1948. Sir,—l agree with “Worried” that the medical services provided for a large district the size of Kaikoura are grossly inadequate. There is a growing feeling of dissatisfaction about this. More and more people are being forced to go to the city for medical consultations and hospital accommodation. Having paid our social security fees, we should be provided with these essentials within our own district. Besides, we country people are helping to swell the crowds awaiting admission to over-full city hospitals. We have had three and four doctors here long years ago, when the population was a great deal lower. I earnestly hope Dr. Orchard will look very fully into the situation, for I can assure him it is a serious one.—Yours, etc., ALSO WORRIED. Kaikoura, July 12, 1948. HERALDIC DESIGN Sir, —On the National Orchestra’s programme for the concert for schools, Wednesday, June 30, was printed a design which I take to be a coat of arms emblematic of New Zealand. In the four corners are symbols: first, four stars; second, a sheep hoisted up by its middle; third, a sheaf of wheat; and fourth, two crossed hammers! Down the centre, hanging from the breast plate of a knight’s armour, are three very old type of ships with oars sticking out, and on top of the design is a lion holding up the Union Jack. At the bottom is the word “Onward” and a harp. My children and myself would very much like to know in detail what each part of the design means.—Yours, etc., CURIOUS. July 3, 1948.

[With the exception of the harp, which is probably an addition by the National Orchestra as a badge of their own, the design referred to is the authentic coat of arms of New Zealand, according to Mr R. S. D. Harman, a Christchurch architect. The slung fleece, the sheaf, and the miners’ hammers are symbolic of the occupations of sheep farming, wheatgrowing, and mining. The stars represent the Southern Cross, and the boats are lymphads. This is the form of boat, of a Viking type, which is used by the College of Arms in its designs. It represents here, the long voyage to New Zealand.] FAITH CURES Sir, —In reply to M. G. Davies, may I say from experience, that no forces of material nature are at work. True spiritual evolution and ascension are the key to the mystery. Over a period of years I have been interested in this subject, and while receiving many benefits, have failed to understand how it works. However, under regeneration it is necessary to understand mind—its three stages, subconscious, conscious, superconscious—the first, photographic memories; second, reason; third, God mind, summit perfection. This brings us to the state where God and man co-exist —a creator and created idea, a perfect correlated state of Father and Son. It is the key not only of man’s destiny, but also of world peace.—Yours, etc., SILVER NIB. July 15, 1948. STAMP COLLECTOR WANTS PEN-FRIENDS Sir,—l am a keen stamp collector and I would like to get in touch with a stamp collector in New Zealand to correspond with and exchange stamps with on a friendly basis. I am 38 years old, ex-soldier (A.1.F.), married, with two children, a girl 13, and a boy 10, interested in sports, and my hobby is stamp collection.—Yours, etc.. KEN PARKES, 51 Iliffe street, Bexley, N.S.W., Australia. July 10, 1948. INFLUENZA Sir,—l read in “The Press” this morning about influenza among children and adults. I don’t wonder where children are concerned. My girl goes to a secondary school and on cold days such as experienced on Tuesday, the girls are sent out of warm rooms to the bitter cold outside to have lunch, and all were shivering. The re-