LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 25058, 23 November 1944, Page 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Cartoonist's Bridge Sir, —Minhinniek's cartoon " 111 Wind," showing the Sydney Harbour Bridge being blown over here, opens up some interesting legal points. For example, would the bridge cease to belong to the State of New South Wales? If so, would it "become the property of the first person who picked it up over here? As the .bridge would bo airborne throughout the journey, would the laws of marine salvage be applicable? Of course, the problem might be further complicated if the bridge came to rest on private or public land or in a convenient position in the harbour. All Wind. Hamilton. Equality of Sacrifice Sir, —Recent letters by soldiers'' wives are very disappointing. Men of the Third Division are the same as the Second Division men. Both divisions include volunteers as well as conscripts and both have men with three years' service. Admittedly the Pacific provided more monotony than fighting, but compare us with the American divisions in that area. I was away when my first baby arrived, and maybe the coming call-up will find me away when the second arrives. Eyen so, I am willing to go and fulfil my duty. Although this is a strain for my wife, she is doing her best to be British. We are all in the war to get it finished. Let us work and fight together, and at least keep jealous comparisons between the two divisions from hindering the war effort. Waihi. Treasury Islands. Neatness at Mechanics' Bay Sir, —The U.S. naval base at Mechanics' Bay certainly has been taken over by the New Zealand Government, only by virtue of the fact that the U.S. naval authorities suddenly decided to vacate it. A great deal of alteration will be necessary before the large area can be used for the purpose of receiving sundry Army, Navy and Air Force departments vacating premises at present occupied in several city buildings. When the area was occupied by the United States naval authorities there were approximately from 400 to 500 personnel stationed at the barracks, and a very considerable number of men under punishment and stoppage of leave for both major and minor offences were always available for maintaining the grounds in such a spick-and-span condition, in addition to the usual amount nf manpower always available at any barracks. Surely "Garden Lover," who is almost certain to number among the many growling taxpayers, would be the first to condemn the Government for using manpower at the preser.t time for such a purpose, even if it were available. P.W.D. Financial Policy Sir, —In your issue of November 18 Mr H. J. Kelliher has outlined the financial policy that lie and others are pressing on the Government. Under this policy, bank credits are to give us rehabilitation, and all public works, free of interest charges, with a stabilised price level thrown in for good measure. These claims raise sonic questions. Prices are affected almost as much by rapidity of circulation as they are by the volume of money in use. How is rapidity of circulation to be controlled? Additional money is required only when additional labour or additional goods are offering for purchase. As railways, roads and public buildings are not offered for sale, no money is required for their purchase. How, then, could the credits issued be balanced by money requirements? Would the proposed credits be debtfree, as is usually promised? The cheques put into circulation would be deposited, and so would create debts on the part of the banks to the depositors. If the credits are to be gifts from the banks, how are those debts to be balanced? If the banks could not recover their advances, how could they meet the claims of their depositors? If banks are to receive no interest, how are their staffs to be paid? How are all their other costs to be met? This policy appears to be designed to give us vast additions to our real wealth without effort or sacrifice. It promises to give us prosperity, not as the reward of our industry, but by sleight of hand. Manurewa. J. Johnstone.