Letters in Brief

Dominion, Volume 24, Issue 288, 1 September 1931, Page 11

Letters in Brief

Discussing lotteries —State and otherwise—“C.K.” combats the suggestion put forward by opponents of lotteries that they are demoralising and expresses wonder that these people can "waste time on such trivial matters when there are so many others matters which really do violate the morals of the community upon which they could more profitably employ their .time. “I venture to say," the correspondent concludes, “that all we need is a few fearless and broadminded men of the calibre of Mr. Campbell Begg to come forward and state their views without fear of criticism by the churches, and we would find that it is generally agreed that lotteries are both harmless and desirable.” Commenting on the calibre of the politicians. of to-day as compared with those of the past, “Let’s Be Quits” urges the need for our politicians putting country before self. “We see from the history of England,” he concludes, “that the greatest of politicians—those of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries—were not paid, and as New. Zealand is economising' why not reduce members' salaries to a minimum—or nil?” "Having heard radio announcers of different countries, I honestly believe the announcer of 2YA (Mr. Drummond), who is personally a stranger to me, is in a class of his own,” writes R. J. Smith, who adds that there are many who arc very anxious lest any change of radio policy should deprive 2YA of this announcer.

Protest is registered by R. H. Fitzherbert against the practice indulged in by some people of carrying dogs loose in open motor-cars, leaving them free to jump out and endanger cyclists already worried by the streams of -thick and fast, motor traffic. “Some time ago,” the correspondent adds, “I ran into a dog ■that suddenly jumped from a moving car, and the necessary repairs to my ‘push-bike’ cost 15/-, which I extracted from the motorist after some difficulty. I have since heard of a girl cyclist "who was hurt by running Into a dog that jumped from a car, and I consider that before something more serious happens motorists should be compelled when carrying dogs to shut them in in closed cars or to tie them short over secure foothold."

The statement that the railway em ployces might annually benefit the country' to the extent of over £22,000 if each man were to economise one penny per day is certainly “thought-provoking,’’ writes “Well Wisher,” who adds toe query, what would be the amount if each household were to save one or two pence? In most households, according to “Well Wisher,” more food than they can eat is placed before children, and the residue is thrown out. . . It is safe to say that one or two more people might be fed in most large homes without any extra food being cooked. The correspondent urges that all the mothers’ guilds should add to their programmes the teaching of the sacred value of food, and in conclusion asks what has become of the feather industry? Housewives, she states, used to pride themselves upon this, but now the feathers go to the dust hrtip and kapok pillows are bought. Another profitable use for fowls’ feathers is to chope them fine and use as a filling for quilts. The fact is we have a erase for overseas good*. ~ *