LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24793, 17 January 1944, Page 2

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Tfar Stamps Sir, —I think it is time that New Zealand joined the other Dominions and issued a set of war stamps. Australia, Canada and South Africa have issued war stamps, and I hope the Minister responsible will give immediate consideration to a set for New Zealand. Action. British and American Films 'Sir, —May I write a word in favour of American films. For many years we have enjoyed and been quite satisfied with the films produced inAmerica and exhibited here. One can not understand the sudden condemnation of them. Perhaps some of them have not been first class. At the same time, the acting has certainly been first class. It is obvious that some of the previous writers on this subject have not had the misfortune to pay to see the British productions of "White Cargo" and "In Old Vienna." There are good British pictures and plenty of good American ones. After all, we owe a lot for our entertainment to our American friends. Unbiassed New Zealander. Industrial Crisis Sir, —It is time something was done to stop the hold-up of industry by a minority. The working man is better off at present than eyer before, as is proved by the money spent on races, and in most cases the wife is also working. If any rise in salary is due it is to the soldier, who is undergoing untold hardship and danger to keep these shores free. The Government, if worthy of the name, would not be dictated to by agitators. The public are tired of the Government's weak-kneed policy. Stop-work-meetings should be forbidden as sabotaging the war effort and the country run for the benefit of all, not solely for the unionist. The Fighting Man First. Older Men in Industry

Sir, —The Hehald reported a member of a recent conference as follows: — "What is going to happen to the large number of old men . . . who are now employed in industry, and who have come to like the high wages?" I ask this representative and others to consider the other side of the matter. What will happen to the larger number of young men, at present employed in various occupations and drawing good living salaries, with superannuation in prospect, who spend their nights and spare time, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays', grabbing even higher wages, which should rightly go to the older, less fortunate unemployed, but still capable men, whose name is legion. Should these avaricious young men be allowed to exploit and profit from the war? Social Justice. Taxi Abuses Sir, The llkuald's comments 011 the taxi situation in Auckland do not reveal all the worst features of whattends to develop into a first-class racket. The disappointment, annoyance and potential tragedies underlying the present chaotic conditions are deplorable. It is not enough that the taxi proprietors refuse to accept calls or to make bookings for essential jobs, but, to judge from a recent experience, they are capable of leading one to expect a taxi iii response to an order given the previous day and then saying, when the time arrives, that no cab is available. Three days before Christmas,, wishing to catch a boat and being anxious to give plenty of time, I rang one of the companies' offices and was promised a cab, no hint being given that one would not be readily available. When the time for leaving home and no cab had arrived, T waited for a full hour before ringing up to be told that no taxi was available. It was fruitless to remind the office that the order was more than 24 hours old; there was just no cab for me. Half an hour later I again rang and cancelled the order, having arranged for a relative to drive me to the wharf.

Had mine been an urgent case of illness or had I needed that taxi to take a patient to hospital the situation would, presumably, have been the same. That I was apparently missing a boat was not the concern of the company. I certainly agree that the ordinary citizens —permanent patrons of the taxi business—are being most unfairly treated. No Favour.