LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24955, 26 July 1944, Page 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Farmer Kept in Damp Sir, —If, as we arc told, the need for j primary production is urgent, it is surely time that farmers should be released from New Zealand camps. A neighbour of mine with a high-produc-ing herd has been kept in the Army for nearly two years while production falls and his farm goes back. Yet he is only doing an unskilled job in a local cam]). The Appeal Board has recommended his release, but he cannot got out. .His wife has a voting family to look alter and hired hands have proved unreliable. Produce More. Waipu. Taxing Imperial Pensioners Sir, —1 was awurded a xiension by the British Government in 1922 and came to New Zealand with my family in 1926. All went well until the depression, when 1 lost my job and the small pension was taxed at the rate of Is in the £. When the Labour Government got in they promised me to have this tax removed. Time went on and nothing was clone except that the tax was increased to 2s 6d in the £. When the war broke out the British Government stopped most of this hard-earned pension. 1 appealed several times to have the tax removed but nothing was done by the Government. I feel sure all will agree that no pension should be taxed. Northcote. 64114. Birth-rate and Economic Factor Sir, —Our distinguished visitor Dr Edith Summerskill lias put her finger on the right spot when she stresses the economic factor in the falling birthrate. 1 have three children but am reduced to a mere slave. 1 work 14 hours a day and some of it (I would like to remind the tramwavmen) is "dirty work." The bulk of the family income (what is left after taxation) goes on rent and food, especially the protective foods, and we arc particularly rich in clothing coupons. However, we are well and thankful for our blessings. If I sometimes pine for new clothes it is quickly forgotten in the heat and burden of the day. If some far-seeing Government ever institutes universal family allowances I think the reproductive response will bo amazing. Labour for Love.

Kllerslie. ,4; Bookmakers, Racing and Revenue Sir, —At a meeting of the Wellington Racing Club the chief stipendiary steward, Mr Gamer, drew attention to the big sums of money passing through bookmakers arid the loss of revenue to club and Government. He added that the bookmakers were a menace to clean racing. Mr H. I?. Chalmers, president of the Racing Conference, also spoke strongly on the same subject. There is little use racing clubs and honest racehorse owners trying to make racing a clean sport when bookmakers are allowed to carry on under the protection of the Government. The police could, if so ordered, prosecute every bookmaker in the country and by heavy fine and imprisonment stop the evil. Wo see cases every day of small storekeepers being lined heavily for overcharging by a few pence, while bookmakers are allowed to flourish at the expense of the national revenue. Why make laws if they are not carried out? House-owner. Polling Opinion on Serpentine Sir, —The decision of the Rotorua Primary Production Council to find out tlio opinion of each district farmer as to the value or otherwise of serpentine superphosphate for both cropping and top-dressing is a wise move—-also as to whether they would prefer to have tho lesser bulk of straight superphosphate rather than mixed with serpentine. In my opinion this should bo done right through the Auckland Province. Perhaps it could be done through the dairy factories. I believe the result would reveal that, based on observation and experience, the great majority would be glad to see serpentine cut out altogether. If this proves to be the case, surely those who prefer to have the straight superphosphate should be allowed tho option. This would have the effect of releasing more railway waggons and the lime companies would be able to catch up in deliveries. Katikati. Si-ring Feed.