LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32885, 7 April 1972, Page 8

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

(U Letters to be considered tor this column must not exceed 150 words. They should be on only one side ot the paper; preferably typewritten. otherwise clearly writ, ten in Ink; and ample margins and space between lines should be left for convenience In sub-editing (2) A legible signature and full address—not a P.O box number — are required whether these are to be printed or not (3) The correspondent must say whether the letter has been or is to be submitted (4) The editor cannot return or keep any letter not accepted for printing; nor does he undertake to acknowledge or enter Into correspondence concerning letters, although an acknowledgement will be made where this seems to be necessary or helpful <5l As a general rule correspondence on news Items In other publications, or carried on radio and television. Is not acceptable. H.R.—lt is a chestnut. E.E.S.—Not open for discussion in this column. P.B.C.—Correspondence on Vietnam not at present open. E. Far too long; and we are not reopening correspondence on abortion. F. No space now for another correspondence on smoking—and you do not observe our rules. Mug Player.—Like the record, your calculations are open to endless argument—quite inconclusive. R. J. Glen.—No space to widen the correspondence on the S.P.C.A., which hardly needs to be pursued further. Research and degrees Sir,—Why is it that, contrary to the practice in other countries, scientists in nonuniversity research institutions in New Zealand are not permitted by the universities to submit the results of their researches towards Ph.D. degrees? And why is it that full-time students of the universities engaged in Ph.D. studies may perform their experimental work outside the university in those same research institutions? Could not scientists in recognised research institutions be placed on the same footing as university staff and do their Ph.D. researches over a fiveyear period?—Yours, etc., PLATO. March 24, 1972. [Mr G. G. Turbott, registrar of the University of Canterbury, replies: “In Canterbury, as in many overseas universities, academic staff have responsibility for supervising doctoral training pro-

grammes. Our graduate students may, however, carry out part of such a programme in outside institutions. In addition, scientists employed by other bodies who wish to obtain academic recognition for research accomplishments may submit such work for the D.Sc. degree.”] Provisional tax Sir, — From April 1, 1970, to January 9, 1971, I earned $713 and also got $676 universal superannuation. I paid $47 (I think that was the amount as I sent the form in with my returns). Then I got a demand from the Inland Revenue Department for $47, which I paid. I have not worked since January 9, 1971, and I will never Work again as I am nearly 70. Now I get a demand for $47 plus $4 overdue. I gather this is provisional tax. They also put a slip in to mention a summons if not paid. So do I pay provisional tax or not? I have no other earnings at all. Why hound old pensioners? Do I just ignore this demand and let them summons me, or what?—Yours, etc., SUBSCRIBER. April 4, 1972. [Mr C. K. Jones, district commissioner of taxes, replies: “My department is most willing to assist taxpayers to understand not only their obligations but also their rights under the taxing acts. This is particularly relevant where taxpayers cease employment and go on to universal superannuation, and we would strongly recommend a visit to our inquiry counter at that time. If your correspondent will telephone, write, or call at the sixth floor of this department in the Government Life Building in the Square, and give his full name, we will be only too happy to assist in straightening this matter out.”] Road toll Sir,—l am satisfied that our road toll will not decrease, seat belts or not, until they stop building roads to speed on and building cars to speed in. Car drivers do not realise the lethal weapon they have in their hands when they set out in a car. I have driven a car for 40-odd years and have never been involved in one scrape or had one traffic offence, simply because I realise the danger involved with a motor-car. One has only to go north or south and proceed, as I do, around 50 miles an hour and enjoy it, to see the reason for accidents. Cars pass you doing 60, 70, 80, 90, and 100 miles an hour. The slogan in New Zealand used to be, “It’s speed that kills,” nowadays we do not hear this slogan but it is still speed that kills. I am in favour of seat belts

• on the highways, but for : around the city I think it is i ridiculous. Take the case of ■ a mother going to the store ’ half a mile away. She no • doubt Would hardly reach 25 ■ miles an hour yet she has to ; buckle up, undo, buckle up, ■ undo. Most frustrating. Let the Minister of Transport be sensible about the regulations, not dictatorial.— Yours, etc., SLOW DOWN. I April 5, 1972. } Chatham Islands i Sir, —I must object to the unfavourable publicity that is i given Chatham Islanders when someone suddenly runs ! short of flour, butter, or ' some other commodity. I ! can honestly say that I have ‘ never been seriously short of ; anything. If I am, I can always borrow from my ’ friends. I think it is a * scandalous waste of public ! money to put on a special ‘ flight this week to carry * extra supplies. After all, the t Holmdale was here a couple - of weeks ago. About half a i ton of freight arrived in the ■ plane last Tuesday which , could be classed as unessential equipment: underwater breathing apparatus. I understand that this equip- . ment is illegal, so how did it c get on the plane instead of ; flour and butter, etc.? I can--1 not believe that there is an ’ emergency, whatever the : politicians say. Why don’t '■ they leave us alone?—Yours, ’ etc TUPANGI. Chatham Islands. : March 23, 1972. [ [The Minister of Internal Affairs (Mr Highet) replies: : “Many people on the Chat- • ham islands import their own i household supplies and it is . true that generally speaking : they were not experiencing ' any shortages. However, i many others rely on local i storekeepers, and it is equally ; true that the storekeepers were out of flour supplies and were very short of some other essential commodities. The special flight was made - to replenish their stocks, and ; met with the full approval of 1 the Chatham Islands County J Council. The possession of 5 underwater breathing appa- * ratus is not in itself illegal; ! neither is its importation into ’ the Chatham Islands pro- : hibited. Freight to the limited 1 extent it can be carried on ! the ordinary passenger air 1 service is accepted on the ’ basis of first come, first ; served. No flour or butter ■ was submitted for carriage j on the ordinary flight referred ; to by your correspondent.”] Fighting inflation ; Sir,—Mr Miller echoes the r usual misconceptions about i financiers. Industry is bom of ; investment, and investment i of finance, and always will . be. He probably does not bei Sieve that the financier who

holds all the strings lives in Russia. There the cost of the administrative activity necessary to invest roubles in industry, i.e., the equivalent of interest, is the monopoly of taxation. Moreover, where a Russian investment is disappointed by output, its cost rate (interest) is increased by lowering its wage scale. For instance, in industrial wageranking, steel has been No. 3 and food processing No. 16, and, instead of falling, food prices have been bumped up —inflated. Mr Miller’s kill-or-cure remedy for inflation would kill it, and coconuts once more be currency.— Yours, etc., A. B. CEDARIAN. April 6, 1972.

Clutha power

Sir,—The various schemes suggested for a supply of power to the North Island make one cringe at the prospect of the ultimate fate of the South Island should the Government be allowed to proceed with its wanton decimation of Central Otago for the sake of cheap power for the North. Not only is Central Otago affected, but the whole of this island would be disfigured by the forest of hideous pylons, which cannot be disguised. Why has not the West Coast coal been considered? This would give employment where it is needed urgently and leave the charm of the South unimpaired. Have we learned nothing from the blunder of Manapouri?—Yours, etc., L.W.T. April 6, 1972.