LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25051, 15 November 1944, Page 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Crooning Sir, —"Anti-Sinatra" hits the nail on the head when he saj's, "but there is no reason to foist it (crooning) on a New Zealand public"—not only the music, but also the sentiments expressed in such songs ajj come from nasal crooners of the Sinatra type. Much of it is bad English and foreign to the average New Zealander. I, too, am a busy housewife, but when I want to be soothed I do not tune in to a nasal noise wailing out something that is a distortion of the English language. But perhaps "Frank's Fan" is well up in American idioms, or is it just the "music." Busy Housewifk. Treatment ol Third Division Sir, —I would like to protest over tlio way the men of the Third Division aro being treated. The Government brought them back earlier in the year and many of them for essential work; now they are all being recalled to go overseas almost at once. Why not call the single men who have stayed at home all these years making big money? I do not want the money, but would like to see a little of this equality of sacrifice we have heard so much about. My husband has been discharged seven weeks, received mufti allowance and started work as directed. Now, I suppose, I am expected to keep his new suit (not yet finished) in moth balls for another three years. Disgustkd. Unwrapped Bread Sir, —Before Parliament went into recess we heard plenty about the Milk Bill and the necessity to supply pure, uncontaminated milk, and rightly so. Let us also scrap tlie existing method of handling bread. We accept it naked from the supplier. If it is good enough to protect milk, surely this also applies to bread. There is no shortage ofc wrapping paper today. All other traders provide it. Why not the baker? Imagine Mrs Baker going home after visiting the draper with her arms full of intimate garments unwrapped. I have seen small children with loaves of bread under their arms. A loaf drops to the pavement, or perhaps is placed there while a shoelace is rctied. It is not good enough. WIUP the Bread. Education Sir,—The discussion in your recent columns between scholars respecting our present secondary school educational methods seems to me, as a tayinau, to miss an important point, viz., The objective to bo aimed at in any educational system. The ability to win scholarships or a thorough acquaintance with Latin, although both useful adjuncts in the pursuit of knowledge, are by no means a proof .that our educational system is perfect. What really is the main object with most parents regarding the education of their children ? From my experience, I am convinced that it is to fit their boys and girls to attain such positions in the existing social order, as will assure to them a job of work or a profession which will give them the highest possible degree of economic security in the hurly burly of life. This is the reason why the pathway to the possession of a truly intelligent outlook on economic and social problems is so often obscured, with the result that selfish and narrow minds are developed. We hear much talk today of a new order, but this will only _ be obtained by inculcating in the minds of our hoys and girls, not a selfish and isolationist outlook, but one that will create a firm public opinion that mankind can only survive in an atmosphere of co-operation and goodwill. The only worthwhile objective to have in any educational system is the general happiness and well being of mankind as a whole. .. 0. DINMSON* Piopio,