LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24876, 24 April 1944, Page 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Pronunciation of English Sir, —Why is it that so many people in New Zealand pronounce "garage" with a French accent, when everybody in England makes the word rhyme with "carriage"? The word "garage" is an anglicised French word and should be pronounced in the good old English way. The same remarks apply to the word "barrage." J.C.M. Serpentine Super Sir. —In recent months I have noticed a considerable amount of controversy in the papers concerning the action of the Government in making it compulsory for farmers to use .serpentine superphosphate in place of straight super. I can only speak of my own personal experience with this fertiliser, and 1 must say 1 have found it equally as good as straight super. I have been farming in the Waikato for a number of years, and, prior to being called up for military service, 1 had succeeded in producing something approaching a record in butter-fat production per acre, ft appears to me, therefore, that a good deal of the criticism raised has been mainly prejudice against something entirely new without giving it a fair trial. I feel sure there are many other farmers whose experience has been similar to, mine. Ex-Waikato Farmer.

Dairy Produce Price Sir, —Could Mr. Roberts, the Minister of Agriculture, or Mr. Marshall tell me why the produce of JS'ew Zealand should "be sold at so much lower a price than that of Australia, Canada and South Africa? If the dairy farmer could believe that by working 14 hours a day tor a bare living the country as a whole gained by his sacrifice, it might help him to bear his lot. But the result,_ so far as 1 can see, is not only to impoverish the farmer, but to saddle -the country with a large and unnecessary debt—that to the United States alone being over £20.000,000, due solely to this country selling its produce cheap while buying dear. While every other dairy producing country is paying off its national debt, why are we saddling ourselves and our children with a heavier debt? And why did Mr. Marshall agree to the new low price? And why agree to keep the negotiations secret? All praise to Mr. Murdoch for speaking out. Why? Bottling of Fruit Sir, —This is the first year since before the war that I have been in a position to bottle fruit, and I have used the new type of preserving jar with success. As each jar which I purchased was supplied with a rubber fitting and screw cap, I saw no point in removing the cap; in fact. I took the extra precaution of brushing around it with hot wax. So far, I have not lost one jar. Before the war, when using the old type jar, I never expected and never obtained 100 per cent success. Because of the outlay in fully stocking a house, I have used empty coffee, malt and other types of jars with screw caps, end, by pouring boiling wax on the not fruit, screwing on the lid and dipping the top of the jar into the hot wax, both immediately and again when the fruit is cold, I have had equal success. However, I assure "E." that those of us who are starting with nothing during these times of shortages are grateful to obtain even a dozen jars, which are at least equal, if not superior, to the old type. L.G.

Blockhouse Bay. Proposed Shopping Hours Sir, —In reference- to the proposed shopping hours, I would like to point out the positions of rural residents. These people still occasionally wish to buy goods, and shopping by mail in 194.4, with shortages, substitutes, rationing, etc., is not always satisfactory—medical and dental service still less so. (Oh, yes! We have had spectacles, dental plates and medicine by mail, with at least one near tragedy, due to the present Saturday afternoon closing.) At present, many farmers visit town on week-days, often taking their children with them, with considerable absenteeism from schools. But many other workers —members of teaching, postal and railway services—are unable to do this, and if the remaining few hours of Saturday shopping are denied them, it will mean that they will be forced to ask for at least one day's leave a. month. It is not the five-day, or even four-day week, we object to, but the keeping open of shops when we cannot use them and closing them at the only time we (and many other citizens) can use them. Mat-wearer. Pnkehnia.