Readers Write

Northern Advocate, 12 May 1939, Page 4

Readers Write

[Readers are invited to send letters i for publication in this Column . | A letter should he written in ink I on one side of the paper, and f m.ust bear the name of the writer not necessarily for publication, \ hut as a guarantee of good faith.] f

The "truck rate" system adopted by ' the Railway Department in Whangarei. docs not materially affect the Maungatapere Dairy Company as we do not rim anything in the nature of a general trading business in conjunction with this factory, dealing only in a few lines, which are chiefly dairy farmer's requisites. Our total output of butter forwarded to Auckland is forwarded by steamer from Whangarei. the cost being much less than by rail, and the service is very efficient. If the truck rate system is a payable proposition to the railways., why is it not put into operation in other towns such as, say. Maungaturoto and Te Kuiti, instead of a sea porl town like Whangarei? It is quit? evident that the whole system is designed as a scheme to cut mio steamer or sea competition with the railways. and apparently is being remarkably successful, so much so that the very existence of the Port of Whangarei is i threatened.

THE. TRUCK RATE

The Whangarei Harbour Board hasspent a large sum of loan money in, improvements to the port, the interest' on that loan being in the form of a special rate guaranteed by the ratepayers.. That special rate is not now being collected by the Harbour Board, but, should the harbour revenue continue to bo depleted by the operations of the “truck rate,” it seems that the collection of that rate in the very nearfuture will be inevitable. That in itself would be a very serious blow both to the port and the district. Apart from the “truck rate” system, there is another aspect of the railwaysystem which apparently is quite unfair. For instance, why should it be possible for Whangarei to rail butter to Auckland at a cheaper rate than that charged to Maungaturoto? Presumably the answer would be because of the steamer competition. The railways, as a State institution, belong to the people, but I think it can also be claimed, where large amounts of money have been pledged by the people in harbour improvements, that the harbour belongs to the people. Nature has richly endowed Northland with harbours, and it behoves us to preserve those harbours both in regard to their trade utility and their natural beauty.

In conclusion, I should like to congratulate Mr. Finlayson, chairman of the Whangarei Harbour Board, on the very lucid way in which he has placed the facts relating to the operation of the railway “truck rate” before the public of this district, —LESLIE REYNOLDS. Chairman, Maungatapere Dairy- Company Limited. On a recent Wednesday evening, I was in Auckland, so thought I would go down to the Drill Hall in Rutland

RUSH TO JOIN SCOTTISH REGIMENT.

Street to see how the recruiting was progressing.

I found no one enrolling for the khaki-clad Territorial Force, but it was impossible to get near the door where applications! were being reh ceived for the New Zealand Scottish so I took my place in the queue. I found two friends of mine, Mr W. Marshall (late of Pakotai), and Mr McTavish, along with Mr McDonald and Mr McLaren, sitting as a selection committee on behalf of the United Scottish Societies of Auckland. Their job is to make sure that only those of Scottish birth or proved Scottish descent are allowed to join this select Regiment. There have been no pbrades in the city streets, no public notices, and no advertising to boost this new Regiment, and yet it only took a few evenings to get the Auckland Company to the full strength authorised (120 men plus 25 per cent), 150 men all told. The selection committee have a long waiting list, which is growing Wednesday evening at the rate of about 30 to 60 extra men. All these men are of fine physique, and evidently great patriots, as it costs each one of them £1 to join the New Zealand Scottish. Thisj money is subsidised by £1 per man by the United Scottish Societies, so the Government gets £2 for every man accepted into the New Zealand Scottish.

This Regiment is affiliated with the world-famous Black Watch of Scotland. Her Majesty QUeen Elizabeth, a Scotswoman, has graciously consented to become Colonel-in-Chief of this Regiment, an honour not shared by any other New Zealand Regiment.

! I am sure these New Zealand Scots will uphold the traditions of the Regiment with which they are affiliated. When those of Scottish descent are so anxious to enlfst, why is it that the khaki-clbd units cannot get recruits when parades are held in Queen Street, and the Mayor of Auckland makes appeals in the Town Hall for recruits? It would be interesting to know. Is it because these New Zealand Scots are to be permitted to dress in the national costumes of their forefathers? If so, why not have English, Irish and Welsh regiments? Also, the Jeks have been well, treated by the British Empire, so let them have a Jewish. Regiment.

Whatever the lack of recruits for the khaki-clad forces, I am sure thei'e is no lack of loyalty or patriotism on the part of those descended from English, Irish or Welsh parents. If Mr Editor will permit, it would be interesting to hear the opinions of others.

If recruiting for the 15th North Auckland Regiment is not satisfactory, why not start a Scottish Regiment in the North, as those of High-? land extraction are very numerous ini this area?—S. C. CRAWFORD. I

Australian Currency.—The Stock I Exchange Association of New Zealand | has announced that payment in con-? nection with the new issue of Wool- f worth Properties Ltd. must be made; in Australian currency. This informa-1 lion has been obtained from the com-? pany, because of the large number of j inquiries from shareholders to knowi if payment could be made in Newt Zealand. I