LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24633, 12 July 1943, Page 2

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Falling Coal Output Sir, —The Minister of Mines lias several times informed us that the miners have increased the output of coal to record dimensions. Yet the tally or some individual mines shows a decrease. In the first live months of this year the Westport Coal Company's mines produced 103,760 tons, compared with 115,886 tons in the corresponding period last vear. Westport-Stockton produced ' 52,026 tons, compared with 57,520 tons. Here is revealed a heavy decline. Can Mr. Webb reconcile it with his claims of an all-round increase? Bi.ack Diamond.

Butter Rationing Sir, —In his excellent letter. Mr. .1. Begg, of Dunedin, seems to think the Government- may he nervous about rationing butter. Neither the Goveinmcnt nor anyone else need haw- anv fear of taking action. The people oi New Zealand will he will; the authorities to a man. for two reasons: first iy. because thev ardently desire to share with the stricken people oi Britain the .rood tilings that we enjoy in abundance; and secondly, they know that, by (i-jvinc up some part of our butter, ve Chalice able to return .-annothing lor what Britain has so generously advanced to New Zealand. DargaviHe. Ai.iiu.i) K. Handing. Film Censorship Sic, —The tilin censors are not; to lie held responsible lor child delinfjueiK y jis a result of allowing interior type motion -picture- into the country, hach li| m is held for a rigid examination which decides it it is suitable for general exhibition or adult audiences. From then on the matter is leli m tho hands of the parents as to whether or not they will let their children see it. In this respect many parents am very '■hick, for is ii not an ea-y matter | 0 turn to the amusement, page to a "-certain the censoring of the Icnture.Now regulations issued by the I'llin Indus! rv Boanl ereatlv reduce the probability of adult films at children s matinees, so what, more can he asked f ()1 .-. Pitoir.i TioNtsr.

The Age Benefit Sir.—Have niomorie-; :itrophied since members of Parliament assured their constituents that no ancient would he obliged to suiter hnrdsliip ? Well large jhi in hers ol us have sullered and still are, pro[jressi\ely so as the cost ol living has inexorably risen. Have the thousands of beneficiaries lost hope ol amelioration, or are they inarticulate. Where is the voire of their natural protectors, the sons and daughters who are enjoying the wide range ol model n facilities and amenities whicn their fathers and mothers have secured lor them during the past •!•> years.*' II what onr can do without represents true wealth then some ol us old ones are millionaires. Civilisation is largely judged by the treatment of old people. Arc we interior to the Chinese in this respect." \ n . the old people a moribund crowd incapable even of voting Am I a voice crving ill I lie wiiilcrncss Sl-'.V KNTV-SIX. The Home Guard Sir. - .Most ol the letter, appearing mi the above subject e\pre»-> ,-ati-.lae-t im, that Home liuard parades are now practically delunct. Ihe writers satisfaction appears to he that they can now get on with increased production on Sundays or whatever day their parades have been held. I have yet to find the man who puts in every Sunday— I. might say any Sunday—increasing production. In my experience they either go for a spin iu the car, il benzine is available, or produce, not butter-fat, but sleep. What about the hundreds ol farmers who attend race meetings during week-days!" Do they make up "this valuable time lost" by working on the following Sunday? Not they ! "One Waikato Farmer" sneers at those who are keen enough to attend voluntary parades "if they must be amused." This sort of attitude is beneath contempt. "One Waikato Farmer's" unit must surely be unique in their satisfaction. Kvery man in my company last Sunday expressed his keenness* to carry on with voluntary parades, and we are all farmers. It will no doubt cause great amusement to "One Waikato Fanner" and others to know that those of us who are still carrying on with voluntary parades are now doing his "bit" as well as our own. C Coau'asv.