LETTERS IN BRIEF

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 24, 29 January 1927, Page 7

LETTERS IN BRIEF

. Edward C. Evans, referring to languishing industries and fact-finding commissions, contends that taxation increases the prices of all goods, and reduces the purchasing power of wages, and thus ruins tUe market for business. The remedy for languishing industries which are being taxed almost out of existence is to abolish au taxation. The Government can derive its revenue by, collecting all land rents in town and country. Capital would then «m ° lts nat"ral channel, industry. _ father of Four" asks why the Lower nmt .Borough Council charges children tor the use of the Riddiford Baths. Surely, the revenue from adults would maintain the baths. "Registered Plumber" replies to the contention of "Another Small Master," who cited some difficulties under the apprenticeship law. The correspondent suggests that, under the regulations as recently amended, the problem of placing an apprentice who has come out from Scotland would probably be dealt with differently to-day, though the decision of the District Registrar was correct at the time. JN either the Act nor the apprentices' order can be blamed for the difficulty created by the mysterious disappearance of an apprentice. Such an apprentice, if found, would still be bound by his contract. If he were a plumber he could not be registered and work as a journeyman without proving that he had completed his apprenticeship. It would be an exception for any boy after three years to be able to satisfy even a small master. "Hygiene" writes: "As I was passing a butcher s shop yesterday my attention was particularly drawn to the action of a blue bottle, or a blow fly. He looked to me about 6ft and 14 stone in weight. Walking over the meat he was. We are receiving warning about the influenza epidemic, and yet our eatables are being contaminated while we look on. Have a heart." "Be Clean" suggests that the City Council should be more active in street cleaning. Bitumen pavements and side walks should be washed down at least once a week, and at night, not when people are passing to and fro; more frequent sweeping of streets and gutters would also be beneficial. "Be Clean" mentions Webb street as a thoroughfare much neglected in this way. Extension of permanent paving should also be hastened to end the dust nuisance, which is a menace to residents, particularly in such places as The Terrace and Boulcott street. It cannot be objected that these streets are too steep < for treatment, as Auckland has dealt with steeper thoroughfares.