LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25105, 19 January 1945, Page 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Electoral Reform Sir, —Under proportional representation no by-election for Western Maori would be required. The votes cast in tlie election of only a year or so ago, sealed (not burned) and preserved could now be distributed among the unsuccessful candidates in accordance with the preferences expressed by the constituents of the late M.P. They are the ones disfranchised by his death and entitled to a new representative. This saving of trouble and expense should appeal strongly to politicians so anxious to avoid inflation and so wholeheartedly in favour of "stabilisation" for the rank and file. G. Henry. The Old Windmill

Sir, —It is rather funny to see an ancient Hebrew regulation brought up by "E.S." in support of retaining the old windmill. The "landmark" referred to in Deut., xviiii., 14, and in several other Old Testament passages, was a small pile of stones, the only visible division between my land and the other fellow's land. To remove these stones so easily shifted was equivalent to stealing a bit from your neighbour. Hence the mosaic curse on their removal. Let "E.S." cherish a sentimental affection for the old windmill —and let him retain that blot on the Auckland landscape (if he can) —but let him not quote in its support an ancient law made to prevent land-grabbing. It betrays a curious kink of the mind. T sometimes think the Bible suffers more at the hands of its friends than its enemies. Common Sknse. Entrance to Medical School

Sir, —Your article in Wednesday's Herald on the admission of medical students to the second-year classes at Dunediu raises an interesting point. The words "qualifying intermediate examination" are used. It seems to me that neither the University of New Zealaad nor the University of Otago has the right to make the intermediate examination, which is the first of the professional examinations leading to the degree of M.8., Ch.B., a competitive or qualifying examination for proceeding to the further classes for the degree. It would be better to have a special entrance examination (to include the preliminary science subjects at an easier stage), together with an interview with a special selection committee in each centre. This would help to relieve the grossly overworked university college staffs and would obviate many of the present difficulties: students likely to do well in later clinical work would not have to "pass" the intermediate two years in succession before going to Dunodin. Interested. Employment and Tax

Sir, —i1.J.8. appears to think that an employer can pay £1 a day clear, paying the tax himself. This is not so. He must enter £1 2s lOd in the timebook and see that his employee cancels stamps for 2s lOd. Also, he must seo that his man has a holiday stamp card, on which the employer will affix stamps to the value of l-25th of the total wages (£1 2s lOd). In addition, oneeighth will be pasted in the time-book in the form of social security stamps. The employer must also see that his employee lias paid his national security levy up to date, that he has fulfilled his military obligations, that he is free of the manpower officer--in fact, he may have to get permission from the manpower officer to employ him—and that his union fees arc paid. Even then the employer may he fined for paying more than the stipulated wage for casual labour. He will, of course, be protected by an employer's liability policy, but if lie instructs his man to repair the dilapidated roof of the henhouse an I he falls through and breaks his leg the Supreme Court may decide that it was due to neglect on (lie part of the employer or his servants, and award damages many times the amount for which the insurance company is liable. Then a year afterward the employee may apply for the family benefit and the employer will be expected to supply the Social Security Department with full particulars of all money earned, including social security and holiday pay tamps. He will have no difficulty in supplying these details, ns he must keep lii.s time-book ready for inspection by a social security oflicer at any time within Jive years. If he neglects to supply these details he will receive a pathetic letter from the Social Security Department every week until he does. Mucin Worried Small Contractor.