LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25001, 18 September 1944, Page 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Aix or Aachen Sir. —With reference to "Guttural's" remarks. I have always understood the Germans' call the city Aachen and the French call it Aijf la Chapelle. It all depends on which side you are of the frontier. A.F.W. Pacific Patriotic Parcels Sir,—What particular end does "Droopsnoot" expect to serve by his belated revelation? Having failed to speak out at the proper time, silence now would serve a better purpose. Are we to infer that cake and oysters are all the soldiers' pampered palate can endure; that the excellence of the standard Army ration is responsible; that most of the thought, effort and money employed by our patriotic workers is destined for the dump and incinerator; and that any praise from the soldier is therefore satire in disguise? "A shut mouth catches no flies." Enough Saio. Third Division Men Sir, —There must be a great number of parents of lads returned from the Pacific who, like "Parent," are deeply concerned about their future. The men, too, in many cases feel that they have come to a dead end. My son returned to camp after furlough some time ago, and has since spent some days cutting gorse and some in reflective idleness. .1 believe that these men are quite prepared to carry on in a military sense until the great task is finished, but by no stretch of imagination can idleness, or the cutting of gorse, be considered important a.s military training. _ These men are not raw recruits, and regardless of any training which may subsequently be given them in this country, their real training will be given overseas. In view of this, surely it would be better for these men, and for their unborn children, if they were allowed to return to their previous occupations, until, or if, it be necessary for them to go overseas again. I am in full agreement with your timely article this week that a definite statement should be made regarding the future of the Third Division. Or,D Ebony. Salaries o 1 M.P.'s.

Sir,—Your leader dealing with the salaries of M.P.'s provides data for meditation and action. To attract the right type of Representative—irrespective of party—it is of paramount importance that the profession of politics should be elevated to a standard commensurate with its great importance. When we scan the biographies of many political giants we realise that in spite of their varied careers the dominant quality is strength of character. When statesmen place country before self and are prepared to give of their best for the good of others, it should be the responsibility of the community to put into practice the saying that "The labourer is worthy of his hire." The present Parliament before closing down this session should face up to this long-overdue reform. The war, with its increased responsibilities, and the difficult problems to be faced after the war, demand the attention of men of education, experience and high sense of duty. Too often the average citizen is inclined to regard politicians as a "necessary evil" and overlook the low pay attached to the profession. Inadequate Pay. New Zealand Speech Sir, —Mr Mulviliill takes Mr Shaw to task for likening New Zealand speech to cultured English speech. He gives as an instance the prevalence of slang in our speech to show how debased it is. In point of fact, it is almost bankrupt of native-born slang. And is slang so intrinsically objectionable? Even public school English, spoken, as Mr Mulviliill seems to forget, by only a small minority of English people, is rich in slang—club slang, sporting slang, services slang, and tbe slang of social convention. It would seem that, to Mr Mulviliill, the Londoner indicating his ready acceptance of an invitation by "awfully jolly" displays his polish, while the New Yorker by his "tickled to death" displays his vulgar addiction to slang. Hear what Morris says: "When we hear railing at slang phrases, at Americanisms . . . we may think for our coinfort that tho noble and dignified language of the poets, authors and preachers, grouped round Louis XIV., sprang from debased Latin." Or what Baker says: "Slang is a live growth ;< it touches the here and now; the best, of it is terse and , colourful. There is no reason why we should shy away from it. Our finest writers have not," T thoroughly agree. Niall Alexander. Paerata.