LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume 82, Issue 25203, 16 May 1945, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Day Hursery in City , Sir, —As there has been some mention of late of the need for a day nursery in Auckland, I would suggest that mothers should ask the civic authorities to take up this matter. The need to assist the wives of men overseas, who must come into the city for business or Shopping purposes with young children, is a communal responsibility. Auckland should take the lead in providing a day nursery in a bandy and attractive situation, with a properly trained staff. This could be partially self-supporting, arid would be a valuable civic asset. One looks in vain at present in Auckland for any public recognition of the fact that there are young children, or that motherhood k an important function Southland Mater. Glean Up the Air Sir, —Those who travel across the harbour have never seen so much dense black smoke belching out from so many funnels and chimneys as at present, spreading out on the houses and buildings on all sides of the harbour, as well as taking toll of the foliage in our gardens. It is admitted that tar is the root cause of serious diseases, when given off by coal smoke and breathed into the lungs. The social work I did for many years brought me into close touch with people suffering from disease. Even as a layman I had to recognise that many people living in what appeared to be healthy surroundings fell victims to illnesses which are among the worst to which human beings are subject. < We clean up our backyards, and we insist on strict sanitary conditions, but our great failure has been to clean up the air. TV. K. Howitt. Future of Armed Forces Sir, —Regarding the return of our troops, I, among many others, feel that this should be done. New Zealand with a population of only 1,500.000 has certainly done her share on the fighting fronts. Our record is second to none. We have now another part to play, and that is to help feed the war devastated countries. This contribution, although not so specacular the part we have already played, is just as necessary. But to do this, we must have more manpower—men on the land and men on the machines in the towns to supply the farmer with all the necessary equipment fdr more production. Surely with the world position as it is today, New Zealand's No. 1 job is to supply food. We have done well so far in this direction, but our production should be trebled, as Britain is still on very short rations, and. in the whole of Europe, food will be a consideration for some time to come. J". L. PHITjT<IPB. Conditions ol Peace Sir, —A3 the fundamental condition of a lasting peace we must work for the elimination of the passport, the use of a universal currency of stable value, the use of one's money without the favour of bureaucracy, the abolition of prohibited areas and locked doors in all nations. Of the Big Three, Great Britain leads in these matters, but of the component parts of the Empire at least one is even yet tightening controls. As a young man I went frequently to Europe without credentials of, any kind and without being questioned at home or abroad by any official. For the youth of the world it is vital that they should somehdw get together and think this matter of freedom out. Unhappily, as it seems to me, many who call themselves our intellectual superiors and teachers are activated by emotions resembling envy and greed that lead only to hatred, slander and civil strife, at a time when, above all things, conciliation, give-and-take and compromise are the need. "Vested interests" is their catch-ory, but, without denying the merciful action ot laws tending to share the available wealth, I assert that the greatest of all vested interests today is a gigantic office staff with unquestioned power over the individual. Partly created by war conditions, bureaucracy has Gulliver supine and hound. Let us examine with care this word "freedom" when it is used by intending legislators, national and international. Above all, let us beware of the ambitious hate-maker. Middle of the Road.