LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24969, 11 August 1944, Page 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Lest We Forget Sir,—How many realise that the number of individual Nazi criminals guilty of foul murder amounts to tens oi thousands, and that every one of thc.se ought to be punished? Does John Citizen realise that before a fraction of these detestable criminals get their deserts some self-important person will be howling "Stop this vindietiveness?" Ought we not to form an organisation to guard against such outcries and provide funds to combat them? Lest We Fought. The Exchange Rate and the Farmers Sir,—We are hoping that the end of the present war will usher in an era of sweet reason, but if we are to judge by the complaints of the leaders of our farming organisations, there is little hope for the community ever arriving at this blissful stage. I remember during the depression that an exchange rate, which was raised from £lO to £'2s for every £IOO worth of goods imported, was imposed in order to create a more favourable economic situation for the farmer, whose income was increased from £lO to £'2s per £IOO, New Zealand currency. Apart from those who cavilled at this innovation on principle, the general public bore the additional burden with resignation, believing that it was in the country's interest to stiffen the nation's "backbone." Now we have Mr W. G. Wight, secretary of the South Island Dairy Association, saying that the farmers are tired of occupying the position of sorts in order that other people may profit from their industry. May 1 ask who carries the burden of reading, mortgage relief, subsidies, and low freight rates? The "other people," of course, and they are doing it with good grace, too. I for one will not accept his statement that Mr Nash is hostile to the farmers. Obviously, no serious-minded Finance Minister could afford to be. and it is to be hoped that the strident reiteration of this canard will not cause it to bo believed. How long will it he before it is realised that both town and country have an identity of interests — a prosperous New Zealand, with stable finance and a balanced economy? H. D. MCAvf.N. Symonds Street Cemetery

Sir, —Your correspondent Eva V. Cato lias unjustly denomicecl the Symonds Street Business Association for allegedly putting forward a proposal to convert the Symonds Street Cemetery into a business area. The accusations she has levelled at this association have apparently been prompted by a letter written by it to the Auckland City Council directing its attention to the closing of the cemeteries with a view to making the land available for a civic centre or some similar scheme which would effect a general improvement of the area. Our letter pointed out the iinsuitabilitv of the present sites for ccneteries by virtue of their situation in the very heart of tlio city and that at present they are an eyesore, prejudicial to town planning and are retarding the beautifying and natural growth of the city in the adjacent area. It was suggested to the City Council that the sites of these cemeteries appeared to be geographically suitable for use as a civic centre or some such similar scheme commensurate with tlio progress of the city, that a scheme whereby the result would serve as a memorial to the fallen in the war might be worthy of consideration, and that any such scheme would be a material factor in the rehabilitation of our soldiers. Although the association's action has been prompted from the point of view of common sense, due reverence for the pioneers who have found their Inst resting place in these cemeteries is certainly not lacking, and it would not he dillicult to envisago embodied in any such municipal scheme some suitable emblem of remembrance which would perpetuate the memory of these pioneers in a more dignified manner than do the present cemeteries. The paramount object of these pioneers was the steady progress of the country for which they fought and worked so hard and they did not lightly allow obstacles to impede such progress. Thus, one is (etnpted to ask whether in the heart of the city which they founded, and of which they might well lie proud, they would prefer to see the dignity of a worthy civic centre or the eyesore of the present unsightly cemeteries. R. Gisbt, President. Symonds Street Business Association (Incorporated).