LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25177, 14 April 1945, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

V Day Celebrations

gj rj —Noticing that the Southland Presbytery has asked the acting-Prime Minister to close all hotel bars on V Day and the day after,, so that all New Zealanders may observe the day in the right spirit, I and other barmen wholeheartedly agree that V Day is one day all bars should close. We all want a holiday. Just a Barman.

Old-age Pensioners Sir, —As we all know, nearly every worker in New Zealand has received an increase in wages or salary ranging up to 4Jd an hour. I would remind the unionists of Auckland that there are many ex-members of their unions now existing on that miserable pittance, the pension. I do not think it would be too much to ask the unionists to bring what pressure they can on the Government and force it to give those old people an increase of at least 10s a week. There is no worthier cause for them to champion. Worker. Rumour Mongers

Sir, —Your correspondent R. C. Simmons is much concerned about what he characterises as malicious rumours, wild stories, cynicism, and lack of confidence which, he asserts, are directed at our legislators. Such a state of affairs is nothing new, but none the less deplorable. Mr Simmons asks whether something cannot be done to stop the spate of rumours. Yes, something can be done. Our legislators have it in their own hands to do that necessary something. For any Government, and for any political party, whether in or out of office, the strongest and safest armour against malicious rumours, wild stories, cynicism, and lack of confidence, is political honesty and poltical integrity. Brown's Bay. E. Rookf. Maoris and Liquor

Sir, —The present policy toward liquor, as far as Maoris are concerned, seems to be unsatisfactory. As far as 1 am concerned it definitely is. We have heard of different people expressing their desires and opinion on the question at conferences and different places, but they do not carry the opinions of the Maoris as a whole.

The Maori people are suitably organised to take up such an important question as this through their tribal committees, and persons controlling these committees should see that they are given that opportunity. Every Maori would then have a fair chance of expressing his or her desires on the question without having to accept what is handed out by a few individuals who are fortunate enough to attend conferences. and who express their views and desires without coming into contact with the majority. Rettmana.

Utilisation ol Kelp Sir, —I note that Mr F. O. V. Acheson is urging the exploitation of the extensive kelp fields which exist on the shores of New Zealand. A book published in Edinburgh in the year 1800 gives details of this fertiliser which should prove interesting to farmers. Kelp was first manufactured by Highland crofters evicted from their homes by the lairds during that terrible period in Scottish history known as the Highland Clearances. The prodess was primitive, and yet an analysis made at that time showed that tne ash contained the following ingredients: 10 per cent potassium sulphate, 25 per cent potassium chloride and 15 per cent of sodium and magnesium salts. The iodine content varied from 1 to 6 per cent, and there was about 40 per cent of insoluble ash.

Some 18 months ago a cablegram from New York stated that the United States Government was interesting itself in this process of manufacturing fertiliser. With the extensive and almost inexhaustible deposits of seaweed around the shores of New Zealand, it would be interesting to know if the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research has given attention to this matter. A. J. Sinclair. Te Awamutu.