Readers Write

Northern Advocate, 5 October 1938, Page 6

Readers Write

I have just been reading the article on mental welfare. Over 20

years ago a te'acher with a lot of letters after his name

A MOTHER’S PROTEST.

came and told me my daughter was subnormal. He went

away quicker than he came. The daughter could write and compose well, but could not spell. Today she is considered one of the finest allround women in her circle —a good cock, housekeeper, sportswoman and mother. I think it would be a great benefit to the country if there were more girls today so called by teachers —sub-normal.—“MOTHER.”

I noticed in last Saturday’s issue of the “Advocate” that 'a correspondent complained of her to have her cat painless-

DESTRUCTION OF SICK ANIMALS .

ly destroyed. For the benefit of the public I give the

following information. For about 16 years, a branch of the S.P.C.A. has been functioning in Whangarei. For about ten years the society has destroyed small animals by means of its lethal chamber. Larger animals are destroyed by the society’s inspector with a humane killer.

The secretary’s address and tele-1 phone number have been 'advertised f on the first page of your paper for a| considerable time, and the inspector* has made frequent visits to all parts | of the North. After all this publicity | and work, it is disappointing for my j society to know that there are still | some people who are not aware oi < these facts. If anyone wishes to have an animal destroyed, it is only necessary to get in touch with the secretary, who will make the proper arrangements.— F. A. FARMER (president, S.P.C.A.).

I wish to thank you for publishing my letter to Mr Nash on the 26th September and to Mr Barclay on the Ist

October. I ard prepared to admit that both Mr Nash and M*r

MR. CRAWFORD’S QUESTIONS.

Barclay were in a very difficult position, as both must be well aware of the contents of the new book “Socialism in New Zealand,” written by their close associate, Mr J. A. Lee. In this book, Mr Lee says, “A Socialist Government is in power for the first time in New Zealand’s history, and the trade union movement, a device to fight capitalism, has been expanded and made stable by legislation in a way never achieved in any country in the world.” Mr Nash knew the only answer he could give to my questions A and B was “Yes,” and to say “Yes” would cost the Government many votes. With questions C and D he evidently thought “silence is golden” and “discretion the better part of valour,” so he decided to say nothing about my letter, or confiscation of property, as the least said about this subject the better for the Government until after the election.

Mr Barclay, on October 1, said nothing until reminded that the questions were there for him to answer, and public opinion in the hall forced him to say something. Then he tried to side-step. He to all intents and purposes answered question A, when he admitted the Socialistic ambitions of some of the Cabinet ministers and many members of the House of Parlament.

If the Government are returned to power, it is certain that many properties throughout New Zealand will be confiscated. Question B.—Mr Saxton is Technical Advisory Officer attached to the Department of Industries and Commerce, and I now have a letter from the department to prove this. Question C. —I know very little about Mineral Industries Ltd. The memorandum of association is dated 21/6/38, and shareholders are as follows: Kenneth Henry Armstrong, Wanganui, public accountant, ,850 shares; Darcy Harold Savage, Masterton, diver, 200; Charles Henry Savage, Wanganui, engineer, 200; Cyril James Savage, Stratford, salesman, 200; Ernest Prideau Pridham, Stratford, dentist, 200; Pauline. Maria Best, Stratford, dental assistant, 200; Frederick William Reston, New Plymouth, dentist, 50; Henry Albert William Pierard, Sti'atford, engineer, 50; Leonard Henry Wann, Stratford, motor importer, 50; total, 2000.

Mr Reston and Mr Armstrong are the only shareholders whose names appear in the Telephone Directory as having ’phones in their homes, as well as their business premises. Mr Pridham and Mr Wann are shown as being on the ’phone at their business premises. Mr C. H. Savage is shown as being on at his residence only. The names of the others do not appear in the Telephone Directory or in the Post Office Street Directory as the occupiers of houses. Very few . of these names appear in the Post Office Streets Directory for 1935. It would be interesting to know if any, or how many, are recent arrivals from Australia, and how much stake they have in New Zealand, if any at all. Also, why is the Government so anxious that this company should have the sole right to work these mineral deposits?—S. C. CRAWFORD.

Mr W. N. Silich has been appointed to fill the vacancy on the Dargaville Borough Council, caused by the resignation of Mr J. McKain, who has left the district. The nomination of Mr Silich was the only one received.