LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24878, 27 April 1944, Page 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Minister to Soviet Union Sir, —The appointment of Mr. C. W. Bosweli as New Zealand Minister to the U.S.S.R. by the Government is too ludicrous.for words. The Government in making this appointment should have at least chosen some person who has made a detailed study of international affairs, and not just a rejected politician. New Zealand is getting more like Tammany Hail every day. J. K. Banks. Bottling of Fruit Sir, —It is to be feared that "L.G.'' is due for a disappointment. The manufacturers direct that the lids of the new jars be removed, otherwise they rust on. "L.G." may thus find tlf.it her bottling will cost some sixpence extra a unit. The caps alone cost much more than the old rings at a few pence a dozen. If the lid is involved in yearly destruction the increase is damaging. Money, of course, is no object nowadays.' It should lie remarked that thoroughly boiled lids secured "L.G/s" 100 per cent success in other days. E British Farm Production gi r) —The following has been received from London: —"Since pre-war days Britain's tillage area has been increased by over 4,500,000 acres, and arable land has increased by 5,000,000 acres. In 1943 alone 900.000 acres were added to the wheat acreage and the total cattle population was increased." Compare this record of Great Britain in the matter of production with that of New Zealand. Great Britain's manpower difficulties would be infinitely more acute than those of _ this country, and Britain is virtually in the front line, whereas New Zealand is mere removed from the direct effects of war. Gain or Jackson. Tasman Relations Sir,—While I object to the vulgarisation of Anzac by using it to describe a political bargain, the soap of one firm or the pickles of another, 1 recognise that "Australia and New Zealand" is too much of a mouthful for these crisp and snappy days. A short description is wanted, and "Australasian" has rightly been rejected because it entirely submerged New Zealand. Indeed, it gave many people overseas the notion that New Zealand was one of the Australian States. i suggest the name Tasman would serve the purpose very well. Abel Janszoon Tasman departed this life in 1659. Let us assume that there is something in the philosophy of continuous spiritual progression, and from that we may legitimately conclude Tasman has progressed too far away from this earth by now to bother about what liberties* we take with his name. "Tasman Relations" The ayes have it. Matamata. T. E. McMiixan. Plea for 1914-18 Veterans Sir, —At the present time, when manpower and rehabilitation problems are much to the fore, I would like to plead the cause of the elder ex-servicemen. Those of them who experienced anything like extensive participation in the Great War, and have passed the halfcentury in years, are rapidly deteriorating. The lists in the "Last Post" are lengthening alarmingly, and provide room for thought. Since 1919, many have had to chop and change their occupations to suit their physical or nervous disabilities. I understand that men eligible in years for the present war, but graded 3, are exempt from manpower direction. Would it not be a kindly gesture to the veterans of 50 or 55 years of age to let them choose their own avenue of production, thereby providing themselves with work best suited to their abilities or disabilities, of which they themselves are undoubtedly the best judges? During the past three years I have met many old diggers while on conscripted work. It is generally conceded that many have reached, if not exceeded. their limit, and that they are not up to standing the rigours of cariiping in the winter on constructional jobs and such like. I would wish a more able pen than mine to take up the cause of those —now forgotten—who. in spite of their disabilities derived from the last war, have done again a magnificent ,iob in this one. 1995.