LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25549, 17 July 1948, Page 8

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. “John Stephen."—Too long. COMMUNISM AND SOCIALISM Sir,—The Gospel of Socialism is taken from Wm. Morris’ Fabian Tract No. 113. William Morris wrote: “Between complete Socialism and Communism there is no difference whatever. In fact, completion of Socialism is Communism. When it ceases to be militant and becomes triumphant it will be Communism; therefore Communists are Left Wing Socialists and the further the Socialists drive on in their present course the more Communist they become.” —Yours, etc., CITIZEN. July 16, 1948. TRAMWAY RATE Sir,—As the Tramway Board has decided on the rate for 1948-49, I think as a fair request the ratepayers are entitled to a full report of the board’s revenue and expenditure through the daily papers. I would also suggest that a ratepayers’ association be formed.—Yours, etc., FRED LAWS. July 13, 1948. [“A detailed revenue account is submitted to the board every four weeks,” said the general manager of the Christchurch Tramway Board (Mr J. F. Fardell). “This is discussed in open meeting and a copy of the accounts is given to the newspapers to report thereon. The comparative revenue, operating expenses, passengers, etc., are published regularly.”] CONSCRIPTION Sir.—You describe the comment on the proposal for national service as “generally favourable.” It would have been surprising if the comment of such people as the presidents of the Returned Services’ Association and of the Chamber of Commerce had not been favourable. But it is very doubtful if comment is generally favourable among ordinary people, the parents of those who will be conscripted and the young men themselves. It is to be hoped that the Government has conscience enough to submit the proposal to a referendum before imposing conscription. My guess is that the result, so far from being “generally favourable,” would be a two to one vote against it. Conscription, whether Nazi or New Zealand, is a step towards war; and people hate it, even when described by the pretty term ‘‘national service.” —Yours, etc., R. P. TAYLOR. Kaiapoi, -July 16, 1948.

FISH HATCHERIES Sir,—The back country lakes are stocked with a race of rainbow trout' which will not maintain a fishing stock without artificial aid. These lakes provide most of the fly-fishing, and, as many of them are poorly stocked, the acclimatisation society council is neglecting its duty, for which anglers provide the money. The inability to restore upstream fly-fishing by salvage turns anglers’ attention to lake fishing, which, cannot be maintained without a hatchery. Instead of increasing trout stocks, we now see a domesticated council with more knowledge of furniture than fish, seeking to rid itself of an embarrassing surplus by expenditure on useless properties and office equipment. With two failures to its credit, it is hopeless to expect success from a body with such a proved lack of fish knowledge; and the best that can be suggested is that it asks some successful society how to do it. —Yours, etc., CLEMENT STOKELL. July 12. 1948. [“That the correspondent has failed dismally to establish his competence to gauge the knowledge of others, as requested, will surprise no one; what is surprising, and, a cause for pity, is that Mr Stokell has allowed his undaunted precocity to expose his limitations, which will only further deteriorate by continuing to censure the councils of this society,” said the managing secretary of the North Canterbury Acclimatisation Society (Mr G. L. PomfretDodd), in comment on this letter.] DEFENCE

Sir, —It is reported from the United States that two of the most modern type of atom bombs, exploding simuL taneously, would render the United States “uninhabitable.” Drs. Oppenheimer and. Urey, atomic physicists, predict that in the first atomic attack on the United 25,000,000 adults and 15,000.000 children, i.e., a total of 40,000,000, will perish. As a defence measure, Dr. H. S. Brown, chairman of the atomic scientists of Chicago, advocates dispersal of population into the country, leaving not more than 1000 persons a square mile in the towns. This is estimated to mean shifting about 52.000,000 Americans at a cost of 250,000,000,000 dollars. The further provision of concrete shelters (the workers in the Californian Institute of Technology interpose five feet of concrete between themselves and the deadly rays) would be added to this primal cost. How does the conscription of the 18-year-olds, etc., read in the light of these atomic developments?—Yours, etc., T , N - M - BELL. July 16, 1948. FAITH CURES Sir, —I was most interested in reading the letter signed M. G. Davies, regarding what the writer has to say about faith cures. As an experienced nurse, I also have seen individual cases of definite organic disease, which were regarded as hopeless, recover. It would be enlightening if M. G. Davies would be good enough to inform us what the “sound and scientific” explanation is. I agree with M. G. Davies, that doctors do not deny that such “miracles” do occur, but no one has, as yet, explained to me how and why.— Yours, etc., July 16, 1948. H.N.R.M. CANTERBURY FIFTEEN Sir.—After the exhibition given by Canterbury on Saturday I wonder if our selectors are satisfied with the team they selected. I, besides many others, am far from pleased. The two Country five-eighths played a far superior game to the Town five-eighths in the Town-Country match, so why look any further? The Country pack also played a hdrd, fast game, and their handling was good. More of these forwards would strengthen the team. Canterbury’s inside backs could not handle and kicked far too much. No team can score by kicking for the side line. The wing three-quarters saw little of the ball. Are they only there to throw the ball in When it’s kicked out? A full-back was also missing, so the centre should be brought back to his normal position. New blood in the team is required, and possibly this applies to the selectors, too.—Yours etc.. t n BETTER SELECTOR. July 16, 1948.