LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33777, 25 February 1975, Page 16

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

il> Letters to be considered tor this column must not exceed 150 words. They should be on only one side ot the paper; preferably typewritten other wise clearly written m ink; and ample margins and space between lines should be left for convenience In sub-edit-ing <2> A legible signature and full address — not a P.O box □umber — are required whether these are to be printed or not l3> The correspondent nusi say whether the letter has been or is to be luoml-ted elsewhere. <*> The editor cannot return <n keep any letter not occepted for printing; nor dons be undertake to acknowledge or enter Into correspondence concerning letters although an acknowledgement will be made where this seems to be necessary or helpful is> As a general rule correspond ence on news items In other publications or carried on radio and television is nut acceptable , Bored To Tears. —More than 150 words. 1. Claudius.—Christchurch is not ancient home. Brain Washed.—Try the Com manding Officer. Dead Against It.—We have no “facts.” Disappointed Community Worker. —Saddening; but you are one of thousands. Successful explanations are rare. Bus advertising Sir, —Perhaps one should not complain about buses luridly painted with all-over advertisements when our newspaper is so full of greater horrors in many parts of the world. But it is a horror, nonetheless, and I feel our Transport Board must indeed be desperate for money to commit such an offence to the eyes of Christchurch citizens.—Yours, etc., HUGH BENNETT. February 22, 1975. Fluoridation Sir,—Dr Russell B. Scobie does not favour referendums on such issues as fluoridation. I am in agreement but for a different reason. A majority would have no right to interfere with the pure water supply of a minority. On being questioned on television by Rodney Bryant as to why people were opposed to compulsory fluoridation Dr Scobie said one of the reasons was they did not like being told what to do. That is correct. Dr Scobie. In New Zealand we elect councillors to carry out the wishes of the people. In other words they are our servants, not our masters. —Yours, etc., FREEDOM. February 21, 1975.

Sir, —So we have an American doctor who does not believe in democracy, but in enforced mass medication. He beljeves all are the ignorant unwashed except the fluoridationists. He has never heard of Lord Douglas of Barloch nor Professor Stein, of South Africa. West Germany has forbidden al) testing of fluoridation, and very little fluoridation exists in any part of Europe. Dr Scobie is not concerned at the rejection of our beef, veal, mutton or butter by countries against fluoridation. Deficiency of calcium is the cause of broken hips. Fluorides give an excessive thirst for water, rheumatism in the knees and i crumbling spines. Floating populations, and recent deep

bores yielding a high incidence of fluorine are not viable. Rivers in India are rich in fluorides, cholera is rife and life expectancy poor. We have enough heart troubles here thank you. We are not ignorant nor ready for Fascism. —Yours, etc., UNEMOTIONAL. February 22, 1975. Security Service Sir, —Your correspondent, “Mr G.”, is indeed correct in saying that the Security Intelligence Service should be consigned to the slag heap of discarded nastiness. But before it goes, what about turning over its files to concerned, interested and patriotic Kiwis, so that its methods, the faceless men behind : it, and its surreptitious association with the C.1.A., can stand for ever as a lesson to those of us interested in real democracy.—Yours, etc., MR 1984. February 21, 1975. H.A.R.T. membership Sir,-—From the “membership” issue of H.A.R.T. an important point has emerged. The absence of a defined membershin is for security reasons. Why would any “bona fide” organisation nee'd to fear a probe from the Security Service? Is it that H.A.R.T. is using the apartheid issue as a front and that hard core support in fact is derived (rom Socialist action groups and members of the Socialist Unity Partv? How can Miss McKay confirm her statement that H.A.R.T. support is from a wide cross-section of the public? Is the revelation’ of one’s political, religious or financial status a condition of support? Perhaps Mr Fruell will allow the public to see his mail order list to determine iust who supports this, “phantom” organisation. No doubt “security reasons” will prevent such access.—Yours, M. CUNNEEN. February 23, 1975.

Rate increases ( Sir, —I believe that the average residential rate for a property in the Citv Council ; area is $l4O. I have a new home of 1450 sq. ft on a 25 perch section; mv last rate demand was for $254. or $ll4 above the average. This fact is acceptable as the services installed are new. However, with the protected increase. Mr Average will suffer an increase of $47 whereas mine Will be $B5. This is not acceptable to me. Commercial practice demands that, before passing on to the consumer anv additional cost, a firm review its own efficiency. As a provider of revenue for the council I insist that an inquiry be made into not where, but how. the ratepayers’ money is to be spent. The productiveness of council staff must be investigated and. as in private enterprise, staff efficiency seriouslylooked into; wages are a maior item. Perhans a time and motion study would prove invaluable. — Yours, etc (HU-RATED. Februarv 19. 1975. Sir—Since he feels that it is time a citizens tax was paid to ease the burden on the ratepayer, whv do not Mr Hay and his colleagues do something. The Mayor is in a position to prove his worth bv deeds, not words. Too many other people these days are all enjoying the privileges that others, on low incomes and struggling to buy a home, are paving for. In our State housing area alone, the maioritv are on higher wages, husband and wife both working, and nerhaps have two or three children working and naving them hoard: both have, cars and thev have no upkeep or rates. Thev are naving less rental than our- ;. selves trvfng to own a home. ’.and paving rates of $" a i week. One said: “Whv bother 11 to buv when vou can have ■ ’hat monev in the bank earni i ing interest?” Witß the wanes neonle are on these it is time a tax was paid

by all, and not just the same few.—Yours, etc., BURDENED RATEPAYER. February 21. 1975. New Zealand nuns in Vietnam Sir, ; —Your sub-leader on the predicament of two New Zealand nuns in Vietnam treats an unhappy situation most effectively. As you rightly point out our Government should press strongly for information about the fate of the two sisters. It was not enough for the Prime Minister to reply when questioned that the question was a delicate one. The late Prime Minister (Mr Kirk) was frequently at pains expressing the view that people came before money and although money is scarcely a factor in this case the position of these two New Zealanders should be. If this cannot be done our whole relationship with North Vietnam should immediately be called into question.—Yours, M. TOOHEY. February 21, 1975. Car “converted” Sir, —I am indebted to Count de Zwierzina for reminding me of the unparalleled ingenuity of the late Colonel C. J. P. Muff-ington-Smee. It may not be generally known, though recalled in Major C. E. Magoon’s review of “Thirtyseven Years with the Mongolian Steam Cavalry,” that the remarkable full-face horsefeather masks and shoulder-high boots now worn on ceremonial parades in Wellington by the One Letter Men are derived from accoutrements devised by the colonel. The Count’s letter is timely in another sense. I was |tartled yesterday, sitting not so far from Bluff (at least, by Mongolian standards),-. and almost within sight of the South Mesmeric Pole, to hear on the N.Z.B.C. news that a Minister of the Government had visited “one of the remote parts of the world,” namely Inner Mongolia. That several million Chinese for some few thousand years have found Inner Mongolia uncomfortably close appears to have escaped the attention of the reporter.—Yours, etc., A. R. CRAWFORD. February 22. 1975. [This correspondence is now closed.—Editor] Superannuation payments Sir, —Like everyone else, I will shortly be paying into the compulsory superannuation scheme. Naturally, my employer likes me to work as much overtime as possible. Mr Rowling will deduct my

percentage for the superannuation scheme under the guise that the more overtime I work, the larger my contribution to the scheme, hence the larger pension when I retire so that I may live in dignity. But Mr Rowling has overlooked one very important point. I am a State tenant and the larger my pension, the more rent I will be told to pay as against another State tenant who did not work overtime. By making larger contributions all my working life, in comparison I would end up no better off. That is, unless Mr Rowling can fill in this hole in the scheme.—Yours, etc., CAUGHT BEFORE. „ February 23, 1975. Housing by-laws

Sir, —The Town Clerk says he is enforcing statutory regulations not laid down by the City Council. He errs. The regulations are incorporated in By-law 52 which the council enforces. The regulations are not obligatory. A notice “may” be served at. the option of the council.—Yours, etc.,

ECONOMY IN CITY FINANCE. February 22, 1975. Addington Raceway Sir, — 1 wholeheartedly agree with the comments expressed by “D.J.M.” about the Addington Raceway. The committees of the various clubs appear to have forgotten about the public, who, after all, are the backbone of the trotting industry. Were trotting officials too ashamed of the truth to reply to the original letter? I suggest they spend a night watching “the stars race under the stars,” drinking in the public bar and using other public facilities.—Yours, etc., BOYCOTT THE TROTS. February 23, 1975. Medical files

Sir, —Dr Ussher seems to be barking up the wrong tree. I did not mention the student health service, which is not, I understand, available to students whose homes are in Christchurch. I would agree with Dr Ussher (“The Press,” February 22) that the illicit procuring of a gynaecologist’s case card, for perusal by staff or University Council, would be a serious matter. , Similarly, to use material removed without lawful excuse from a barrister’s files as a pretext for exclusion, without making any charge which could be defended, would be contrary to all concepts of British justice. Is it not time that the University realised that the conferment of a degree does not automatically place the graduate above the law’ of the land? If a man commits a crime, he answers for it, sooner or later. “Time Does Not Run Against The Crown. . . .”—Yours, etc., DEMOS. February 23, 1975.

Sunflower picture Sir, —1 buy “The Press" to read the news. The photograph of the sunflower-owner on the front page of “The Press” on Saturday was a waste of space and of no relevance. Sunflowers are known to grow to great heights. I am sure a photograph of a number growing in a field would have been of more interest than a single one growing in a private garden. I hope we will not see a repetition of such unimportance as a single sunflower taking up space on our front page.— Yours, etc., PAROT. February 22, 1975. ■ Young Australians’ thanks two Australian students who have been hitch-hiking around New Zealand for the last three i weeks, we would like to i comment on the great kind-

ness and hospitality we have encountered everywhere. During this time we have met many other “lowbudget travellers,” and none of them has experienced anything but friendliness and helpfulness. This, as much as the natural beauty of your country, has made our stay most enjoyable, and has made us determined to return.—Yours, etc., MARGARET CAMPBELL, DIANA LABRUM, (Sydney). February 23, 1975. Pen-friends wanted Lee Kam Loong, aged 16, seeks pen-friends in New Zealand. His address is: 460 c (upstairs), Jalan Lobak, Seramban, Negri Sembilan, Peninsular, Malaysia.