LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20716, 8 November 1930, Page 14

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

IMMIGRATION. Sir, —Tfc' is a disgrace to any Government to allow emigration to New Zealand under present conditions. Our youth should get preference. It is high time the gates were closed—in New Zealand, as well as in Canada—to people seeking work from overseas, in order to give our people a chance to get a footing in their own country. lam with the men who are working in the interests of the youth of New Zeaiand. Let us be up and doing right now and right a great wrong. M. Rogers.

A PICTURE PROPOSITION. Sir, —After reading an article on picture purchases for the city, which concluded by a reference to the " congestion existing in the art gallery," I fell to wondering whether a system of inter-town exchanges of pictures between public galleries could not be instituted that would give a Dominion-wido amount of artistic pleasure and profit at a minimum of expenditure. Surely such a course should be feasible if wo have faith in our fellow countrymen. In similar fashion the private individual adorns his home with pictures and they become in a little while as tamo of interest as the pattern of the wallpaper. An exchange system with his friends would freshen up appreciation when ho received them back, Tuos. Davies.

NEW ZEALAND-MADE. Sir,—ln Thursday's Herald, in a report of Professor Bclshaw's address on banking and exchange, you quote him as follows: —"In explaining the mechanism of exchange, Professor Belshaw said that payments for exports and imports were received and made in London. An excess of exports resulted in an increase of New Zealand balances in London, while an excess of imports reduced the London balances and tended io restrict credit." It would soem obvious, then, that if New Zealand developed her manufacturing industries to tho fullest extent possible, and so lessened considerably the amount of imports, tho Dominion has everything to gain—more satisfactory credits, plus increased work for our own people. Tho only other method of creating tho satisfactory balance in London is to export more in value; and thero does not seem much prospect of this eventuating permanently. The slogan for everyone then, surely, should be "Buy more New Zealand made goods and increase the credit and prosperity of the Dominion." J.S.

MISSION BAY AND MOTORISTS. Sir, —Some wonderful scheme has been carried into effect) and a wonderful fence has been erected and is no ornament to this beautiful littlo bay, which has been most liberally patronised by the motorists in and around Auckland, for the simple reason that they could go to the beach with their families and keep a watch on the children while still sitting in comfort in the shelter of their cars. Many cars form the convenience of dressing rooms for bathers. was never any difficulty to leave the oeach at any time, as the cars were drawn up in regular order, with the whole frontage to the beach clear for passing to and fro, and upwards of 750 cars have been there at a time. Now tho motorists are practically shut out of about three parts of the beach. If they park on the roadside they will be covered with dust and will have to cross the reserve to get to the beach and leave all their belongings and lunches in the cars, or carry everything about with them. The reserve for cars at either end is useless and will not accommodate half the cars which have been brought each week-end to this beach. A? there has been no transport service to this beach as yet, it is mostly the family with the car who patronise it. Last Sunday there were about 20 cars facing the beach at the end adjoining the Mis sion House, and no ono in tho front row could get out, as there were 35 cars jammed in behind them. Tho fence seems to be a most uncalled for imposition on the motorist and I trust tho authorities in charge will remove same and allow tho motorists to lino up on the beach frontage as in previous years. Crescent Road. H. F. Davis.

ONEHUNGA BOROUGH AFFAIRS. Sir, —Permit mo to correct a false impression in connection with the cut in salaries and honorarium. When the council decided on a cut of 15 per cent, on all salaries of £4 10s and over, there was no mention of tho Mayoral honorarium. I suggested the cut should also effect tho honorarium. This the council took exception to, but after advising them that it would bo used against them by tho public, they agreed with my proposal. In the first place, perhaps, the cut on the outside staff was done a bit hastily and, in the late hours of ihe evening, when members were tiring of business. Then, on the second occasion, the matter was discussed with the result of the 15 per cent, cut on tho salaried staff, which, of courso, would bo reasonable, according to the cut on the outside staff. But to reason the matter out, the whole thing is too drastic. A 7£ per cent, cut all round would have been a fair thing, would have boen a fair contribution toward tho loss of revenue that may occur, and would give tho employees a chance to get over the Christmas holidays, when the wholo mat-, ter could be reviewed and adjustments mado. Even though the council may bo down a hundred or so, I am quite satisfied the ratepayers would not complain when they are getting value, considering tho hard times. Tho present council has had, perhaps, tho hardest tryout of any council that has held office, having had to work on revenue only, and having got through a lot of permanent work, and I am- satisfied that the work dono and tho condition of the borough compares most favourably with the time of their predecessors, while, at tho same time, we have kept a larger outsido staff than our ordinary one. We do not want to bo pessimistic, and I would like our friends outside to realise that Onehunga is a solid little town, tho lowest rated of any about Auckland, with a first-class drainage system, lighting and water supply, and that it is very healthy to live in. It has bowling greens, croquet lawns, tennis courts, sports grounds, yacht clubs, sea bathing, hotels for those who want them, churches for all, a tramway system which will receive some slight alteration in the near future, and two most up-to-dato cemeteries. So why be a pessimist ? Now, in connection with tho present state of the unemployed market and its remedy, I think most people will agree that wages and salaries have got to como down, and tho sooner tho better for all concerned. Living rates must como down with them, but this should bo general throughout the Dominion and not one or two local bodies only. Then closo our gates to Asiatics; wo have done this with ono, why not tho other ? The next thing is to shop in our own country. By doing this wo are going to extend our industries and create now ones, by causing more employment. Remember New Zealand first, then the Mother Country. To follow this example wo will not only find employment for thoso out of work, but will roliove the present who to-day is carrying the burden. An idea may bo gathered from the following:— Tako the general rate of Onehunga, .which is Jd in tho £l, bringing in £5300; a hospital and charitable aid rato of gd in the £l, and amounting to £3BOO, and increasing each year. This state of affairs cannot go oil. By creating more employment we are going to arrest the drift, so do not send your money to other countries. Use locally-made goods, thereby building up industries. Everybody will be happy and tho birds will sing again.

SUNDAY ENTERTAINMENTS. Sir,—l have read of the deplorable ad vent of a Continental Sunday i n on l Queen Street. Surely we who are pri v i leged to live in what is termed God's own country will do all in our power to uphold His laws, even though present-day tendencies are to desecrate that, which we are commanded by God Himself, to "keen holy." I would much like to know whence the reason that previous restrictions seem so suddenly to have been swept away? This evil could not so quickly flourish in our midst; permission must have been sought and given; but by whom ? • Grandmoter.

OVER GOVERNMENT. Sir,—With regard to the Herald's articles of October 23 and November 1 on the above subject, and to the great indebtedness of the several local bodies I think most people will be glad to see an early change in tlio direction of an amalgamation of the several local bodies with tlio city, The savings to the ratepayers in administration, water, drainage, would be very great and the different bvlaws affecting building, plumbing, and motor traffic, brought into general agreement to the satisfaction of everyone. As a Mount Eden ratepayer, with increasing high rates, I shall be glad to see this amalgamation come to pass soon. I think, now that Parliament is adjourned that the several local members of Par' liament should come together with the Chamber of Commerce and see if some, thing cannot bo done to bring amalgamation cbout. Ratepayer, Mount Eden.

PROFICIENCY SURVEY. Sir, —I wish to endorse the remarks of " In Earnest" re proficiency survey. There is no doubt tho examination as proposed this year was welcomed by the teachers and pupils of the country schools. For the first time they were to enjoy the same privileges as their usually more fortunate ( town cousins. Being placed on an equal footing with tho country schools was cvidently not appreciated' by the larger schools and their representations—through the New Zealand Educational Institute—to tho Minister of Education have saved them from such an ordeal. As a result tho town child will again receive his proficiency certificate in tho quiet atmosphere of his classroom without formal examination, while the country scholar will take a general test at a strange school and under a strange supervisor. If the certificates are to be awarded by accrediting let the system be uniform and extended to embrace the pupils of the country schools. Country parents and school committees should co-operate and insist upon their children being placed on an equal footing with those of the larger schools. Country.

THE WHEAT DUTIES. Sir, —1 wonder how long wo are going to | allow our Government to bolster up tho I incomes of the wheatgrowers of New Zea- ' land, while the struggling dairy farmers, who are far more important than they are, should have tS accept just what the London market are prepared to give us. ' •Tust fancy dairy farmers having to pay scvenpenco for a 21b. loaf of bread and £1 per 1001b. of flour, when their incomes 1 will be one-third less than last year on the present pay-out. I consider it a disgraceful position. Poultry-keepers hav# exported no eggs this year from Auckland Province, for tho simple reason that they cannot make a living with wheat at 7s 3d a bushel. If they could get cheapjr food there is room for hundreds of poultry men to supply the English market. To erect barriers for the benefit of a few poople is no good. Ever since we tried to rig tho English market for butter we have gone wrong; and then we send Home our Prime Minister to try and induce the English Government to erect another one to keep out European butter so that wo could put up ours apainst the English consumer. Daisy Farmeii.

PROTECTION IN BRITAIN.

Sir, —If Mr. G. Henry has been reading the many cabled reports as to the amazing change of view by lifelong free traders in Britain on tho free trado policy he must be like the majority of rabid free traders and refuse to face facts. Lord Derby, Mr. Winston Churchill, many bankers and hundreds of manufacturers, who have been lifelong free traders, have stated,, that tho present condition of Britain under free trade has . compelled them to throw over their freo trade theories. Press interviews with big business men" who have recently visited Britain give a continuous stream of evi' dence of the changed attitude in Britain on the tariff question. If Mr. Henry seriously believes that "Nothing could b# better for the fortunes of the present •» Labour Government than that another attempt should be made to introduce protection in Britain," I think he is hopelessly wrong. The one outstanding fact in British politics is that free trade is doomed. Even the Labour Party itself is far from being of one mind on the tariff question; and it is very probable that the Labour Party will split- seriously because of the rabid free trade views of Mr. Snowden and Mr. MacDonald. The proof of this is evidenced by the revolt of Sir Oswald Mosley and a number of others in the Labour Pai'ty against considering freo trade a fetish.

GLEN EDEN. Sir, —During tho past few years the village of Glen Eden has undergone a number of .unfortunate experiences. A drought was illustrated in the papers by a small tank and a man with a billy serving out water from a lorry to the anxious residents. The water was not too short, however, to prevent tho local body washing a good deal of dirty linen at its meetings. " At the same time a newspaper made the (true) statement that "there are 70 untenanted new houses in Glen Eden." These facts caused ridicule and derision throughout the province. A few months ago somebody was struck by a brain-wavo and, for want of something better to do, a "benevoWt socity" was formed to assist tho "poor and needy." Through the kindness of city performers two concerts realised about £4O. In two months the society could manage to distribute only £lO. of that sum, clearly indicating that very little poverty exists here. A dramatic club was formed to augment the fund, but after a rehearsal or two tho artists seem to have got. an attack of stage fright. Since the local picture show, closed the "needy" patronise neighbouring theatres. I am one of thoso who object to our township being featured as a poverty-stricken centre. The most recent cruel cut i&, tho proposal to hold X clothes drive. (C.T.A. beware!) Who exists to* wear tho cast-off' apparel of our wealthy citizens is a mysrary to Resident.