LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 80, Issue 24760, 7 December 1943, Page 2

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

No Pyjamas Sir, —I have a brother who has been in England for almost three years as a member of the Air Force. During this time he has not been issued with any pyjamas; nor has lie been able to procure any as he has 110 clothing coupons. In his letters he has stated that so far as he knows the High Commissioner, Mr.*W. J. Jordan, has made an effort to have the position rectified but without success. We fiud it impossible to buy any to forward to him. I can imagine some scoffing people saying that men on active service in the trenches do not have pyjamas and why should Air Force personnel. But men who are fighting for us, in whatever branch of the armed forces they may be, are surely entitled to all the minor comforts which could so easily be given to them. The issue of pyjamas is a necessity when men are unable to obtain them for themselves. Huntly. Pyjamas. Tram Platforms Sir, —Many times recently I have been left lamenting at a tram stop while a tram ; with its platforms packed, but with toom for at least 20 people to stand inside, has gone by. This happened twice on Saturday morning, while two other persons and I waited for transport to work. I do not blame the motormen, because, seeing the front platform crowded, they believe, apparently, that accommodation is fully taxed, but I do consider conductors should insist on passengers leaving the platforms clear while there is room inside. I have noticed that some passengers are very stubborn in their reluctance to move inside, but conductors have the power to compel compliance with their instructions. Crowded platforms, which make entry to a tram difficult, are a source of danger. Perhaps, if all people left at stops for this reason took the numbers of the trams and complained to the Transport Board, there might be an improvement. Late Fern Work. New Zealand Babies Sir, —It is appalling to realise that, even though we are being constantly reminded of the declining birth rate, not one thing is being done to assist the young mother. Is it impossible to procure a reasonable layette without having friends or relations from whom to borrow coupons and also unlimited funds from which to draw? For the serviceman's wife or the wife of the ordinary working man, the buying of the little trouseaux is a matter of keen anxiety. At a time when a woman should be most content and free from all worry, it now appears that this is when she has the most concern. Any mother will be deeply concerned about the clothes and food required for a child; if she cannot get these, she will naturally worry and her health will eventually suffer. No sensible woman is going to deliberately ruin her health, and having babies these days amounts to that. Let the powers that be institute plans which will give concrete aid to our most deserving of all people, the mothers of to-day. Action Wanted, Not Words. Cream Grading Standards Sir, —Farmers are not concerned with the method of payment for the various grades of cream so laboriously explained by Mr. A. P. Lee. The dairy farmer's chief concern is the present absurd standard of cream grading demanded by the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture. This standard of grading has been attacked by the Farmers' Union and other interested bodies and is still a bone of contention between the dairy farmer and the Agriculture Department. When the farmer places an order for standard equipment he finds on delivery that the price has increased from 100 to 300 per cent. The quality has been graded down and when a complaint is made the farmer is reminded that a war is raging. * It can be truly stated that the dairy industry's most prosperous period was from 1914 to 1929 During that time cream grading was reasonable, prices profitable, and farm labour (with 110 40-hour week to compete with it) plentiful and contented. Now, however, a bare living is all a dairy farmer can hope for.. A. F. Holder. Wellsford.