Railway Dispute

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31762, 20 August 1968, Page 12

Railway Dispute

Sir,—ln two years of driving in Christchurch, most of it from or to nil, I have never been able to summon up any enthusiasm for Railways efficiency. Both in the Waltham yard and in the sheds service is slow, grudging, and at times non-exist-ent. By contrast, the bulk tonnage operators’ service is fast, efficient, and cheerfully given, which perhaps is why their share of rail freight is steadily increasing. Whatever the nilwaymen’s grievances, let them go about redress honestly, instead of riding to a pay rise on the backs of the bulk tonnage company employees.—Yours, etc., TRUCKIE. August 17, 1968.

Currency Restrictions

Sir, —Import prohibition of notes is widespread internationally. Exporting notes deprives us of exchange required for full employment if they are reimported, replacing foreign currency. Typically, the ’ campaign against this protection for our economy was initiated by a potential “foreign investor." Here we have a danger of foreign Investment not mentioned by the American Trade Association and Mr Muldoon: foreign capitalists want New Zealand’s legislation adjusted to their tastes, not to that of the New Zealand Welfare State.—Yours, etc., ECONOMIST. August 16, 1968. Godfrey Miller Sir,—Before the Canterbury Society of Arts loan exhibition closes, may I draw attention to the work of New Zea-

land-born Godfrey Miller? As his work remained unseen until his death in 1964, few New Zealanders have so far had a chance to appraise this artist's outstanding technique. To those intending visits to the Australian galleries, I would strongly recommend a careful study of his canvasses.— Yours, etc.,

HONOUR DUE. August 19, 1968.

“Starving Children”

Sir,—With parochial hypersensitivity, Mr Bartrum answers ridiculous Australian allegations that New Zealand kids are starving with the smug palliation that they are "the best-fed and cared-for in the world.” As a world traveller, I maintain that you see more underprivileged, unwashed kids in Christchurch than in West Germany, Austria, Scandinavia, Iceland, etc. Cases of child-beating are alarming In .'this land, and every Christchurch citizen knows of a family In which ‘•the kids don’t get breakfast until 2 p.m.” Mental care is almost nil. Sweden has 700 child psychiatrists, New Zealand has two. Even today, in a biting frost, you see kids wearing searves, but only flimsy pants to cover their blue legs. Mr Bartrum probably believes this makes “the toughest kids in the world"; medical statistics prove that we have a high incidence of child bronchitis and rheumatics.—Yours, etc.,

ANTI-HYPOCRITE. August 19, 1968.

Aid For Refugees

Sir,—l applaud "L.G.W.’s” letter on Saturday. The National Council of Churches was complaining bitterly at the New Zealand Government’s withdrawing its support for the United Nations’ refugee operations. Until the National Council of Churches and the United Nations cease by word and deed from supporting aims of world communism, it would be better that not only the New Zealand Government, but others, too, stop their assistance.— Yours, etc., THE BEAVER. August 19,1968.

Vietnamese Orphans

Sir,—The plan by the Churches to bring Vietnamese orphans to New Zealand for adoption no doubt pleases those who desire New Zealand to be absorbed into-Asia, but is most disturbing to those of us who wish our land to remain British in character. In the national interest we cannot afford to permit New Zealand to become a dumpingground for the human problems of Asia, however worthy of our sympathy they may seem. Are there no Kiwi orphans left to benefit from the Churches’ active concern and interest, and for our citizens to adopt? Or is it that this latter lacks sufficient merit through not promoting the required degree of racemixture? Charity, after all, begins at home.—Yours, etc., B. B. THOMPSON, National Organiser, New Zealand National Front. August 19, 1968.