LETTERS TO THE EDITOR,

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13958, 18 July 1907, Page 8

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR,

THE DEER HERDS OV NEW ZEALAND. JZrtu 80 '™ timc ago , J' ol, <lcvot«d concorrespondence. There is just a danger that .natters mU be allowed to slide aa4 that notung.wl! bo done to improve the condition of tho various herds. It was shown conclusively from tho letters which ap. peered in jour columns that immediate s ops were necessary in order to preserve Uio. spore for future years. The recent dcoiston. that tho Minister had declined to sanction the proclamation of a deer forest n the Bluo- Mountains terminate any hope in that direction in the meantime so that the Otago Acclimatisation Society must act on its own initiative if any reform is desired. It is not surprising to many local people that the request to set aside tho Jlluo. Mountains as a deer park should Jiaw been rejected, as the society asked for more than was necessary. Despite what the Minister of, Lands may say, there is an area of bush and scrub land in tho Blue. Mountains suitable only for a deer park; but in asking for the whole of tho mountain a large area of good - pastoral country was involved, and all experience goes to prove that '.'deer farming" does not find favour with" the landowners. The question of what should be done to improve the deer Herd was referred-to-the' executive of the Otago Acclimatisation cocifity, when one member (Mr Edgar I think) candidly admitted that he had never seen a deer and knew nothing about them. Doubtless there are others in tho same position; and I would suggest that the society arrange for a conference of dele!ga.(es from i/ho various districts where deer.herds exist with,a view to fully discussing the, matter, and deciding what steps shall bo taken. I am sure-there are many sufficiently interested in the sport to givo the benefit of their experience and knowledge; and I see no bofctor means than such a conference of delegates 'to'attain the desired end. Speaking for this district, something must bo done promptly if the society wish ■to maintain its revenue from deerstalking licenses, otherwise the sport will be doomed for all time—l am, etc, . Tapasui.

THE TARIFF. • . . Slß,—Amongst the proposed alterations in the Customs tariff is the free admission of motor oars, whilst the duty on bicycles remains at 20 per cent.—to my mind a. most distinct injustice. The motor ear is essentially a rich man's luxnry, for the' indulgence in which lie can afford to contribute to the country's revenue, whereas tho bicycle is, to a. vaet number, a necessity, being a means of communication between t.hejr homes and places of business. Then, again, there is tho sop.to the farming community in tho remission of the 6heep tax, whilst the' duties on necessities, euch as fjcur potatoes, etc., aro still imposed, thus making tho general public pay for the enriching of the farmers—a section of the community who are always grumbling, although they have their implements imported free, and have a. protective tariff imposed on their products.—l am, etc. , Pno Bono Publico. ST. OLAIR GROINS. Sir,—ln the' political news from Wellington I notice that there 13 to be an agitation foi more groins at St. Glair. If granted, how long is this waste of public money to continue? Dora anyone persuade himself that tho present groins have done Kiiy good? Presumably their function was to put a stop to the denuding of the beach. So far from such being the effect, however, there are 3ft of sand leefi on the beach to-day than when the groira were erected. The Domain Board has done good work with the brush fencing in front of the Flat, but let it own up that the present stamp o! jtroin has proved a failure, and that it is useless to persevere with them'. In any cast-, I trusi; that tho Minister of the department rfiil judge for himself before giving any .fresh instructions.—l am, etc., St. ClaJv, July 17. A. Resident. EDUCATION BOARD ELECTION: • SOUTH WARD. Sir,—l agree ■ with your contributor " Oommitteeinan," in your issue of 12th inst., that unfair attempts arc made to depreciate.Mr. Malcolm as a candidate for the /aoujiei' on tho hoard. Much is mado of hie "inexperience," of hie naving "yet to yin his political spurs," of "his absence during session," etc., etc.—all displaying a cluniGj attempt to keep Mr Malcolm in the background and, if possible, prevent him 'getting any opportunity _ of showing his mottle on the board. This cry of inexperience is always ra;6«l whon a young man of sbililv offers his services to the nublic. Why, tho Parliament of Great Britain thought it wise to put a man of 21 ycare of age in tho position cf Primg Minister.

I rofer to Pitt. But is Mr Malcolm "young" and "inexperienced"? Mr Malcolm is a. man of 40 years' experience. His lifework up till lately was that of a teacher, of great tact, ability, and success, yot hi 3 sympathies and energies were directed at all times to local and provincial affaire, thus gaining for him an experience of men, and public matters. And this experienceis shown in tho careful and: business-like, way in which he has dealt with tho affairs of hie electorate since ho has had theprivilege of boing its member. He has greatly strengthened his position already amongst .his constituents by the close and prompt attention he has givon to all matters brought under his notice, so that the feeling' is growing that ho mil niako a useful and capable representative, And why nob utilise theso services on I]ic Education Board at the present time? As has been 60 often sxid lately, strong, capable- men aro needed to represent South \Vard. Everyone knows Mj Malcolm is an experienced educationalist, with ability'to hold his own against any other; then why this cry to shelve Mr Malcolm and refuse him a soafc on tho board? One would think that Mr Malcolm would naturally niako an ideal Education Board member,

Ami, as regards his suggested absences from board meetings, we already hive hie assurance that he can attend practically all board meetings, just as Mr Mackenzie, tlio chairman, does. In these' days of quiok' travelling, _ this is not impossible. And assuredly, if Education Boards are not to be. shorn-of all their local.control by thecentral department in Wellington, it is essential that we should have in Parliament men who can speak "first hand" for local control and in favour of extending more of it to pur hoards. A parliamentary representative would bo a strength and'not a weakness on the board.—l am,,etc.,' AXOTHEK COUIHTTEEMAN , .

Sir,—lt has ken alleged in correspondence under tho above heading that Mr Mosley s candidaturo is purely superfluous, and has no other object than to split tho votes to the detriment of Mr Malcolm and bo secure the return of Mr.Snow. I venture to say that this is not the case. Mr Mtdcolm has twice been defeated: first at the general and then at-the byo-olcctidn, when neither the victor (Mr Snow) nor the dofeated candidate (Mr .Malcolm), secured a largo proportion of tho poseiblo votes, thug ' Clearly showing fiat cominitteomon were not greatly in favour of either' candidate. Whrle I am personally quito content to see an able mail like Mr Malcolm returned, his double defeat shows plainly that committeemcn are .not of th'e "same opinion, lhc weak polling of Mr Snow, together with a general weakness, dub no doubt to that honourable failing-extreme old ago — tells equally against him. Henca there is room for a third candidate; a man of enthusiasm, a man of onergy, a man who in conjunction with those able and clear'-' sighted educationalists, Messrs Mackenzie ' and Eraser,, will spare no effort to'advance the cause of education throughout Now Zealand. It j s ossontial that , ■ tho • South Ward should he represented by a staunch progressive, united trio, seeing they represent iio less than 112 schools out ■of a total of 219 in Otago. Whatever Mr Snovrmay claim to have done'in tho past, ami that proclamation must, needs be lourl i his works are to be heard of, since they thomsolvco arc slight, he must surely foci.tllOt ago alone now weakens his' efforts and that in such strenuous times his days of usefulness on the board are- over, -Lefc. the hands therefore of Messrs Mackenzie and Fraeer be strengthened and the exercise of their undoubted talents bo rendered more effective by the election of MrMoslcy. This tno would bo still further strengthened by; the return for the North Ward of Mr - Mitchell, who would make ■ a most ableand worthy colleague. Mi- Mitchell contests the seat- with Mr Buckland. who may secure a-few votes which otherwise' he 'would loso owing to the fact that ho will be by eome • mistaken for his brother, the orstwliile M.H.K.—I am, etc., : July 15. TjKnr Is StnENGTii.' '

Sm.-Thc above triangular, duo! scorns to exciting peculiar interest. In vour ast Saturday's issue.no less than , threo ; letters appear, all advrating the rejection of Air A. S. Malcolm. in favour of .either Mr .Snow or Mr .Mosloy. , The ar K umenta agwnst the selection of Mr Malcolm may bo summed up in ono sentence: Because ho is a member of Parliament lie cannot take hie seat on the Education Board ovory month, and therefore cannot bn always on hand to do a little log-rolling for his owa ward. In iny opinion, tliere has been far too much of this log-rolling, for it is helping to make the cost of education too burdensome. We don't hear' much of tins side of .tho question jiiet now,- bccauso the', country is prosperous and the revenuo abundant and clastic. But wait till the lean .years come. Moro 'good for. Otago aa an education, district can be done by two mombors of the Education Board in the House than by one. Mr Thos, ; Mackenzie, the worthy oliairman of.tho board, is already tliorc, and is celebrated .as a strenuou'e and intelligent .politician.. R-tcked up by Mr Malcolm, and both furnished with a mandate from the educational bodies of 0(*go, Mr Mackenzie would, be able to maintain his defensive position- as a champion of the South against ,the inevitably aggressive tactics of tho North. Your correspondent "Central Otago" admits that Mr. Malcolm is an "able edueational}f", W»*.more. ..then, does lie want? Should we -not all v strive- to place able educationalists on our Education Boards? The appointment, and promotion of teachers is a burning question just now. As the Rev. Mr Hcwiteon remarks on another subject, we have in our midst men of affaire who have intellectual! tastes and well-informed minds, wlio know, theteoohors who have the> reputation ■ of being inspirational. I would ask j-our correspondents: Are' not these the men wlio should bo entrusted with the duty of selecting* teachers for our schools? And I challenge them to prove that Mr Malcolm ie not ono of them. As to the other,candidate, I admit that Mr Snow " has done nothing to warrant, his defeat." Neither has ho done anything to warrant his re-election. Under present circumstances '.thcro should bo no place for " do-nothings" in Otago. As to Mr Mosly, he seems to know something. al)out hospitals and county government,, but what special qualification for a seat on tho Education Board ho possesses are quite unknown to mo, Education Boards lwve been too lone used as stepuing stonce for ambitious public men. who have neither theoretical nor practical knowledge of the problems of education. If committees want a man fit for the work they should choose Mr Malcolm.—l am, etc., ••■•'■ EmciKNcy.

Sir,—l have hitherto, refrained from writing on 'the subject, as I consder it highly impertinent of one coiranitteeman. or more vjroba.uly ono who never was. and never will be, on a committee, to dictate to others, equally intelligent, how to vote, or io interfere- in any way' with a mati'e privilego of voting. I now propose merely to point out tlio absurdity of the arguments of some of .those, writers.

(1) Aβ to Mr Malcolm's absenteeism: I believe Mr Mackenzie put up about as ijood an average of attendance at the board's .table as mo3t. of the members, arid doee infinitely more good in Parliament than the two other members who sit regularly at the boanl's table, qootl men though thov are. As to Mr Frosor beirifr left without a secondey, as notice , of motion iY always given in important matters, there, would be no difficulty in securing, the at-, tendance of at least one M.H.R. Thou, too, Mr Maekenzio would be sure of a seconder in Wellington, whither all' important educational business liae lieen carried by ttio Liberal Government. Mr Malcolm iiae, morcovor, an intimate knowledge of the best ami the worst of our educational system; and as for Clutha's requirements, I believe they have licen attended to neither better nor worse than those.,of other districts.

(2) Mr Snow ha 6 certainly put in much sood work on the board, and has proved himself a thoroughly gentlemanly member, and, as his circular represents, has dono nothing to forfeit tho respect of those who elected 'him. Even his enemies seem able to find nothing against him. except that old a?e, and, with it, loss of fiery enerev are creeping upon him. The- etorv of his belonging to an official clique is too absurd for credence, and should have been puWiehed over tho writer's namo. (3) Mr Mosley might well pray for delivoranoo from his friends, His opponents call bim erratic, but his advocates say he has tho courage of his opinions and will fight town vorsiis country to the ond, No intelligent committeoman 'desires other than to €fie all the members of the lx>ard worklne tostfther for the good' of tho education of the whole community, and for tliis I ice! sure tho majority of committeomen will vote.—l am, etc,, , -Fairplat.