Letters to the Editor

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33527, 7 May 1974, Page 16

Letters to the Editor

(1) Letters to be considered for this column must not exceed ISO words. They should be on only one side of the paper; preferably typewritten otherwise clearly written in ink: and ample margins and space between lines should be left for con venlence 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 <3l The correspondent must say whether the letter has been or is to be submitted elsewhere. <4> The editor eannot 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. (5) As a general rule, correspondence on news items in other publications or carried on radio and television, is not acceptable. Intemationist.—Repetitious. Nuts or Acorns.—Not relevant Plato.—Not constructive. N.V.—lnitials not enough. I.E.D.—Unhelpful. Omnibus Vita.—Mrs Kirk has made her position clear. Short Back and Sides.—No space for comment on television report. Safer In the Square.—Christchurch may not necessarily receive the statue. The Walrus.—You have “no right of reply” to comment on a letter. Interested and Concerned.—Penalty must be left to the Court to determine, perhaps as you suggest. 816,000 for training teachers Sir, —I read in an educational journal yesterday that by the year 1978 both the primary and post-primary teachers’ colleges will have merged into one college. No doubt many important people, who carry import-ant-looking briefcases to and from work have discussed and decided that this is the “in thing.” As a teacher of many years’ experience I am not at all convinced, but of one thing I am quite convinced. The decided salary for this position is to be advertised at $16,000. Now no position at all in the whole length and breadth of the teaching world is worth anything like this sort of money. Taxpayers, will you please wake up? You foremen carpenters that build our fine new mini-sky-

scrapers, you reading constructors that work in tough conditions, are these principals worth so much more than you? It is time that someone says something and brings this to public notice.—Yours etc. TAXPAYER. May 6, 1974. School buildings Sir, —I wish to thank the chairman of the Canterbury Education Board for his comments regarding the proposed open-plan three-class teaching block at Cashmere School. It may not have been proved to his satisfaction that open-plan teaching has failed in the United States but he is aware that such classrooms are now being properly divided. He ! s also aware that practising teachers hold grave doubts about the so-called success of open-plan teaching in New Zealand. The chairman has evaded my third question. As a member of the school committee I am aware of the board’s discussions and the attitude of the headmaster, staff and committee. In view of this attitude, I appeal, as a parent concerned with my children’s education, for the board to reconsider its decision, before someone answers its call for tenders, and design more practical building before it is too late.—Yours etc., R. M. HENSHAW. May 6, 1974. Tax returns Sir, —I read in "The Press” where income tax returns are held up because no overtime hours are on the I.R. 12, and the payment of returns on overtime is delayed. I am a pensioner. 1 posted my return in on March 31. So far no payment has been received. What is the holdup?—Yours, etc., PENSIONER. April 27, 1974. [Mr E. D. Moon, acting District Commissioner of Taxes replies: “Without further information I am unable to investigate this particular case. However, it is probable that your correspondent, if entitled to a refund, will receive it within the next fortnight. I would comment that this office is at present receiving a flood of returns and these are being processed as expeditiously as possible.”] Miracle needed

Sir,—l thank V. H. Anderson for the historical data; but it is hardly relevant. Simple solutions are not always sufficient. But the simpler the answer the more profound the effect. To D. J. Leahy I reply that bitterness never will solve the Irish problem. As a cosmopolitan I have no love for the English. Their atrocities towards the Irish, over past centuries, is well known. But none of this offers a reason why the Pope should not visit Ulster. It will do no harm and may do some good, if only to discourage die extremists.—Yours etc., DAVID H. TILLING. May 6, 1974. [This correspondence is now closed.—Editor.] Keeping bread fresh Sir, —I see that the question of having quarter loaves on the market has again cropped up. If it is of any interest to anyone, let me tell you that no-one need ever have stale bread. After over half a century of getting my bread delivered each week, I just popped my stalest loaf under the cold water tap till it was wet all over and then into the hot oven for a few minutes. Then an almost fresh loaf appeared.—Yours etc., OCTOGENARIAN. Southerner delay

Sir,—On April 27 I took my seat in the Southerner, only to be informed at 8.40 a.m. that our departure would be delayed. About 10 o’clock there was another announcement of delay, and that refreshments could be obtained in the dining car. We got away at 11.15 a.m. and only when the hostesses resumed their duties did we learn the cause of the delay. If the Railways Department has any public relations policy, it too, must have suffered a stop work meeting that day. Industrial disputes are always on and travellers must be prepared to put up

with them, but in fairness to those who do the paying, they should be informed as to why their departure should be delayed and approximately the duration of the delay. That day we were absolutely the last people to be considered, and that is public relations of the poorest quality.—Yours, etc., D. W. NIETHE. April 29, 1974. [Mr A. D. Campbell, district traffic manager of the New Zealand Railways, replies: "Any delays to a prestige service like the Southerner are of particular concern and in such circumstances everything possible is done to mitigate inconvenience to passengers who become innocently involved. Announcements regarding delay to the train were made over the public address system from time to time and further information could be obtained readily from any one of a number of uniformed staff who were on the platform and available to passengers. I venture to suggest that few passengers would be unaware of the cause of the delay. Your correspondent will appreciate that the likely duration of a delay of this nature is difficult to forecast and it was considered unwise to provide possible departure times based only on supposition. D. W. Niethe will recall that the buffet car was opened to enable waiting passengers to obtain morning tea.”]

Trial disappoints A four-month trial of having a female liaison officer to provide information to the public has disappointed the Christchurch Transport Board. During the Commonwealth Games the officer had coped with many inquiries, but at other times the public tended to direct inquiries to the board’s inspectors. The woman who held the post has submitted her resignation, to take effect at the end of the week.