Readers Write

Northern Advocate, 31 August 1938, Page 4

Readers Write

I notice that an attempt at making seasonal weather forecasts is contemplated by the Scientific and Indus-

t r i a I Re* SEASONAL WEATHER search DeFORECASTS. partment. I would like to point cut that for 20 years I have been issuing seasonal w r eather forecasts with success, the numerous letters I have received from farmers and others testifying to the remarkable accuracy of the forecasts. In August last year I predicted that the following summer would be 'a hot one .with two dry spells, to be broken in February by heavy rains. In April last, I forecasted a very wet and cold winter, and for August this year cold and showery we'ather during the first fortnight, then chiefly fine. These forecasts have, of course, proved absolutely correct. During the many years I was forecasting for the press I pointed out on occasions, per mediqm of articles, that New Zealand was becoming more tropical in character, and that a study of these influences was the only method of making successful seasonal forecasts. Therefore, I fail to see how the proposed trip to the Antarctic for the! purpose of studying weather condi-1 tions there with a view to preparing l seasonal forecasts can be successful.! —H. M. VINCENT, Meotorologist. ;

Does Mr Cameron seriously suggest that his letters to the press are so forceful that instructions have come from Government

STATEMENT WANTED.

headquarters not to engage him in discus-

sion for fear of making exposures that will damage the cause? Gee whiz! Such modesty! Perhaps the real reason why people drop out of correspondence with him is because he makes so many statements that cannot be taken seriously. I notice that he asks for something definite. I will give it, t 0 him. Socialism is simply putting Christianity into practice. Let him prove this incorrect. I pointed out some time ago that the value of 'anything is just whatever somebody else chooses to give; the cost of production does not enter into the question at alh A manufacturer might engage his clerical staff for days at a time going thoroughly into the question of costs, but outside his own office nobody takes the slightest notice of his calculations. Christ said quite definitely: “It is better to give than receive,” and the first thing the Socialist Government did was to give to the farmer 'a guaranteed price. An attempt is now being made to give free medical service.

Mr Cameron has been writing to the press a good deal lately, and I notice that he never brings forward 'anything constructive. I think I am justified now in calling on him to make a definite statement. Let him tell us what he would do if he were Minister of Finance, and had charge of the Social Security 'Bill.—A. P. LONG.

The Government is proposing to bore a tunnel through the Rimutakas Ut an estimated cost of £5,000,000.

THE RIMUTAKA TUNNEL.

This is a lot of money for a work for which there is no urgency. It

seems to me that the amount would be better spent in buying up New Zealand bonds on the London market, and reducing them to £5 bonds (so as to give the sm'all investors a chance to participate) ,and offering them to New Zealand investors, at the same rate of interest, tax free. Although the bonds would not be legal tender—so that no one would be obliged to take them in settlement of a debt—-they should be made negotiable, and the interest paid to bearer once a year. On the back of the

bonds, spaces for the stamp (interest paid, with date) should be provided. For those who h'ad no fireproof safe, arrangements could be made with the Post Office Savings Bank for their safe keeping. The advantages of getting (as much as possible of our National Debt domiciled in the Dominion should be obvious to everyone; it would give us an independence

that we cannot enjoy, while we have to pay tribute, to another in the form of interest. Every bond transferred to New Zealand would mean that much less interest to send out of the country. With the possibility of lower prices for our exports, the less liability in the way of overseas interest the better, for we would have to export more goods to meet it. It would also be an incentive to thrift, and thrift will always be a motive, for where it is lacking vices take its place. No Government can afford to ignore it, for in times of financial stress, it is the thrifty people who keep them and the country

going, and, by extra taxation and various forms of charity, keep the improvident from starvation until conditions improve. The interest remaining in the .Dominion would promote trade and industry. As fast as the bonds were taken up, fresh ones could be bought up, until the demand ceased, or the whole of our overseas debt was domiciled in the Dominion. Then there would be no trouble about financing the superannuation scheme, the Rimutaka tunnel, and other works of national importance, and, in the case of another depression, New Zealand could isolate itself for a time, with some measure of success. I have advocated this before, but it will stand repeating.—“WANDEßlNG KIWI.”