U.S. Policy

Press, Volume C, Issue 29509, 10 May 1961, Page 7

U.S. Policy

Sir, —T. E. Shaw misquotes me when he states that I referred to democratic leaders as power-crazy. This term was directed at American politics. Democracy today is a much-bandied word. Derived from the Greek it means, or rather meant, “rule by the people." From what I observed and experienced while living in the United States I would certainly not call America a democratic nation and I am extremely doubtful if the negroes and the six million unemployed or their families feel that they are being treated in a “democratic” manner when they are denied in one case the vote and in the other the right to work and earn a decent living. I do not doubt President Kennedy’s ideas but his political and economic advisers will not tolerate any idealistic dreaming. The mighty dollar is the power behind the Washington throne and all progressive ideas and ideals must be subservient to it.—Yours, etc., JOHN FORSTER. May 9, 1961.

Sir,—“Yank’s Sister-in-Law” feels ashamed of the students’ gibes at the United States. Americans’ boasting and baHy-hoo, insulting as it is to people of intelligence, leaves “God’s own country” particularly open to humorous debunking at the hands of students. I, too, remember waiting for an invasion We had pikes and shotguns and were bombed day and night', while our American cousins sat safely behind the Atlantic and filled Fort Knox with the proceeds of the now conveniently forgotten “cash and carry” system, whereby Britain was supplied, among other things, with obsolete aircraft which, even during the Battle of Britain, the Royal Air Force dare not use against the Germans. America was dragged into the war by Pearl Harbour and the Battle of the Coral Sea was fought by America for America. That it saved New Zealand was purely coincidental. —Yours, etc., ACTS, NOT TRACTS. May 8, 1961.