Letters to the Editor

Press, 27 July 1976, Page 16

Letters to the Editor

<l> Letters submitted for printing tn this column must not exceed 150 words. They should be written in ink or preferably typed on one side [ of the paper. Ample space must be left tn the margins and between lines for subediting marks. <2; Letters written over pen names or initials will not ordinarily be considered for publication. A legible signature and full postal address —not a P.O. Box number—are essential. <3i The correspondent must sav whether the letter has been or is to be submitted elsewhere. The Editor does not undertake to acknowledge, hold, return or enter into correspondence on any letter not accepted for publication. R J. McC.—Repetitious. P L-Point has been made many times in this debate. HJ.—Our columns are not elastic. One at a time, please.

Food stockpiles Sir,—Your editorial on the morality of food surpluses calls for comment. Indeed, we should examine the origin of the world glut of dairy products, and many other products besides. And we should look too, for the origin of the division of the world into rich and poor, which has not existed “from time immemorial.” but is historically relatively recent. It began after hundreds of thousands of iears of co operative living, when the domestication of animals and cultivation of crops led to property ownership and the division of society into classes. It is the most advanced class division — capitalism — which generates today’s world gluts. For goods are produced in quantities greater than the main consumers, the mass of the world’s people, can buy

them. Their purchasing power is restricted for the sake of profits. There is want in the midst of plenty. The target of criticism for this is capitalism.—Yours, etc., J. LEE. July 25, 1976. Olympic Games Sir,—Until quite recently I have been wholeheartedly opposed to apartheid but now I have my doubts as the African nations who boycotted the Olympic Games have, bv their actions, not only confirmed racism but have also endorsed apartheid, defeated democracy and in many cases proved by their action that they are incapable of governing their countries. It will take years for the position to right itself as the white races have in many cases been antagonised. Remember attempted blackmail is very seldom successful.—Yours, etc., N. B. THOMAS. July 24. 1976. Sir.—When Mr Drake threw bread on troubled waters he caused as much quacking and flapping as did his namesake, Francis, who kept bowling along in spite of the threats of red sails in the sunset. However. I hope Mr Drake’s remark does not detract from the most amusing episode I have ever heard from Parliament. We have six Maori members of Parliament. Two of these are m the National Party and were selected on merit (as were the Maori members of the All Black team). The other four Maori members of Parliament were racially selected and are in the Labour Party. Yet the Labour Party condemns the National Govern-

ment as being “racist.” Maybe in these sensitive political games of ducks and drakes (or is it snakes and ladders?) we have all lost the art of being able to laugh at ourselves. I was rather disappointed that the Labour Party and the F.0.L., and H.A.R.T. and C.A.R.E., did not protest against the television series, “Pot Black.”—Yours, etc. G. M. EDMONDS. July 23, 1976. Sir, —It must be very annoying to H.A.R.T. and C.A.R.E. to realise that the Olympic Games can now proceed smoothly. The people to suffer most, and for whom we have sympathy, are the athletes of the nations which withdrew from the Games. The conspiracy, which it was, was to cause the maximum amount of disruption to the Games. Our Prime Minister speaks with the voice of the nation when he condemns the activities of H.A.R.T. and C.A.R.E., and the shameful part they have played in the attempts to wreck the G mes. Let Mr Richards of H.A.R.T. produce all copies of his communications to and from Mr Ordia and other African sports officials with whom he has been in contact for close public examination; in those no doubt would lie the “proof” Mr Richards, is requesting from our Prime Minister. —Yours, etc., R. V. SHAW, July 23. 1976. Sir. —Your anti-apartheid correspondents are still avoiding the basic questions. Why victimise South Africa? Why is racial discrimination worse than political or religious discrimination. Can a man escape his own instinct for political justice any more than the colour of his skin? Can anyone reading the latest Amnesty International report on political prisoners in Russia, with its sickening descriptions of men reduced to eating their own flesh and blood, genuinely feel that this is a lesser crime against humanity than is separate development? Can anyone reading the daily killing and maiming in Northern Ireland, suggest that this is preferable to South Africa todav? I suggest South Africa’s great crime is not so much apartheid. Rather It is the extreme anti-communist line of its people that makes it the target of communist-led abuse.

Let not emotion over colour, blind people to South Africa’s strategic position militarily and its importance to the West.—Yours, etc., E. SUTHERLAND. July 25, 1976. Sir, —G. Davidson castigates the present Government for the calamitous state of affairs that has affected the Games. What he fails to appreciate is that Government support or not for the All Black tour, the real guilty party is the New Zealand Rugby Union, shown by its actions to be the most autocratic and self-centred sports body in the country. The present Government, is, by and large, greatly lacking in experience of diplomacy, farsightedness and statesmanship. Farewelling and giving a blessing to the AH Blacks must, naturally, have given pleasure o rugby supporters. However, when — if — this Government has had more experience, its members will, perhaps, come to appreciate the very pertinent point that the over-all good of the country as a whole must take precedence over allegiance to one particular sport.—Yours, HARVEY FOSS. July 26. 1976. Sir.—Brian Carrell possesses alarmingly ill-conceived ideas regarding the withdrawal of African countries from the Olympic Games. Contrary to Mr Carrell’s opinion, the Games are not a vehicle through which governments may express distaste of another nation. are an opportunity to forget political differences and enjoy partaking in sport together. This applies equally to the All Black tour of South Africa. New Zealanders can be proud to possess a Government which states its position on a controversial issue clearly. I am not impressed by “some governments” who make a token gesture of disapproval yet lack the conviction to reinforce it with action. Regarding Mr Ordia 1 endorse G. Lattimore’s verv wise comments. Brian Carrell did not see fit. for “unknown” reasons, to state his position as a member of the clergy. However, as such, he has an obligation to examine more objectively his views before airing them publicly. —Yours, etc..

TIMOTHY MOLE July 25, 1976.

Olympic Games Sir.—lf E. Sutherland (July 20) wants a demonstration, it is a free country still, and if he gives me a ting I shall help him paint his banner. But H.A.R.T. means “Halt AH Racist Tours,” not “haggle about Russian tortures,” and to tax us with “inaction” over this and that (while, I think, remaining inactive himself) is hardly fair. — Yours, etc., ken McAllister. July 25, 1976. Sir, — If Harvey Foss (July 19) is as concerned about the plight of the unfortunate Israeli woman Mrs Bloch as he seems, may I suggest he does something about it. I’m sure H.A.R.T. would be only too pleased to back him up. H.A.R.T. is specifically organised to do what the name suggests, “Halt All Racist Tours.” To drag other factors into this argument is showing that a vast majority do not want to see what is actually happening in the wealthy country of South Africa. What other country besides Rhodesia bans a human being from representing his country’ just because of the colour of his skin. This is what it is all about. — Yours, etc., M. MOORE. July 25, 1976. Mount Torlesse Sir. — Last week you printed an article on Charles Torlesse. the original surveyor of the Canterbury province. You referred to Tawera as the original name of Mount Torlesse. May I refer you to the “Torlesse Papers” the journals and letters of Charles Torlesse, edited by Peter Maling, of Christchurch. On page 45 Torlesse says that the Maoris called the Torlesse range Otarama and Tawera was Mount Oxford. — Yours, etc., A. S. RUTHERFORD. July 22, 1976. Nuclear warships Sir, — The Minister of Defence was correct when he claimed that those who opposed the admission of nuclear-powered ships were clouding the issue by raising the matter of nuclear weapons. These protest groups seem determined to try and undermine the Government’s readiness to op-

pose The Russian Nobel prize winner Solzhenitsyn, warns us that the Russians could overtake us in a morning. America has assured us of her support in the A.N.Z.U.S. Treaty. She is the only Power that can resist Russian aggression. To refuse her nuclear warships admission to our harbours would be a serious violation of the treaty obligations we have entered into. As a mother of three small children, the threat of Russian imperialism poses a far greater danger to me and my family than the presence of nuclearpowered ships in our harbours. — Yours, etc., C. A. WILSON. July 25, 1976. T.A.B. branch in Square Sir, —As a comparatively new resident of Christchurch, I am writing to offer a suggestion to the T.A.B. that it examine the possibility of opening a branch in the new Housing Corporation building in the Square. I consider this is a service that should have been provided both for on and off-course investors some time previously. At present numerous visitors are unaware where Manchester Street is, let alone the T A.B. office. Another strong case for the suggestion is that bus patrons would not have to use a pedestrian crossing to make their investments. Consideration could also be given to the question of an earlier opening on the Friday for all important race meetings. This, I consider, is highly desirable, in view of the fact that recent figures show a marked increase in off-course investments, including trebles,—Yours, etc., JACK WALSH July 19, 1976. [The Totalisator Agency Board replies: “The board is establishing a new office in Lichfield Street, opening towards the end of this year. It is not considered appropriate to establish an office in Cathedral Square. If Friday is a race day, the opening time of 8.30 proves adequate for all business offering and if pre-selling on Friday for Saturday races and trots, we are under no pressure to cope with the demand, opening at 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the branch and agencies from 3 pan. to 8 pm.”]

Union stoppages Sir, — I attended my first-ever union meeting, that of the Canterbury Clerks, Cashiers and Office Employees’ Union. Members were addressed by Mr McNulty (Meatworkers’ Union secretary). It is to the credit of the union’s members (over 100 in attendance) that they jeered and laughed, so much so, he could not even complete his speech, for which the chairman apologised. I suggest no apology was warranted as the rank and file showed enough intelligence not to want stoppages of any kind or the F.O.L. type brainwashing. I found it rather undemocratic to see two motions, moved and seconded, completely ignored by officials of the meeting. All unions should stop conning their members into stoppages and loss of pay as the members themselves and the general public are the only persons who get hurt, not the union officials. — Yours, etc., E. F. INWOOD. July 25, 1976.