LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17215, 18 January 1918, Page 3

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

THE COATING STRUGGLE.

Sir, —Mr Sivertssu's facilo pen, with graceful curvature, common to practised conservative writers, labours to deiend our 'present commercial system, against what he alleges to bo "Mr Brown's postulations." Doubtless, tho strict economy of consideration given by him to the industrial benefits to bo gained by restricting imports will be applauded by political quidnuncs, wlio revel in tho side-stepping tactics o£ an artful aggressor. . Mr Sivertsen previously, admitted t-nat oar industries wore languisliiiig, and ventured a solution by imploring, employer and •worker to unite t-.' 10 S 1 ""^ 1 of t!, ° primary producer. Now, hi tho flutter of baulked curiosity, he demands tangible evidence in answer to a doublo question. First—" Aro workers in protected pmuaiy industries paid better wages than the worker in languishing factories?"— Certainly! How can the condition of tho workers in languishing industries be improved? lho question supplies its own answer—check importation and give the factory worker tho opportunity of enjoying tho same constancy of employment.— Secondly: How is it that constant and repetitious practice coupled to a domestic exchange has not road© foodstuffs cheaper when they aro protected from tho competitive mfluenco ot imported goods?" But, Mr Sivertscn says, our food prices aro regulated by tho Lonaon consumer. Therefore, where » domestic exchange? Again ho says, ; hlay tho greed of tho primary producer. Certainly by all means, why not? I did not say to spare him. Domestio exchange freed from exploitation, coupled to constant and repetitious process of manufacture must reduce food prices, just as asBoredly as tho local factory worker would reduce costs. Unrestricted importation only permits ot a misuse of the productivity of the land to enhance the selfishness of tho land owners, speculators, and importers, whoso grip on the exchange of surplus prodirction prevents our resources from being used to tho best internal advantage. And any administration which treats the permanent employment in primary production, and intermittent employment in languishing factories, as identical entities of progress, is guilty of political dishonesty of the grossest kind. Finally, an administration which permits reckless importation of luxuries to mortgage our resources to the very margin of cultivation, cannot be relied upon to effect the euro, but as this phaso has been overlooked by Mr Siverteen, I -shall not pursue it farther. All the same, I am very pleased to have met him. — I am, etc., John AL Bsown. January 35.

THE PAINTING- OF STONE WORK gnj—l have read with surprise a glowing account of the so-called renovation of till exterior of the fine facade of tho Grand Hotel , Anyone who has travelled in tne Old World could not fail to becomo impressed with the beauties of weathered stone work. Take, for instance, Canterbury Cathedral, or tho Oxford Colleges. Imagine for a moment tho -uproar that would be created if the authorities in these places allowed an ambitious salesman to persuade them to paint tiioir taWmeV™ thereby destroy tfie charm of their structures for all time. Really, it is enough to make Signer Bddini turn in his grave. There is serioos need in Dunedin, as telsewhere, for the setting up of an art commission, to whom tho braiding inspector would submit proposals such as tins. Dunedin is looked upon as the Stone City of New Zealand, and wo should jealouslv xruard our inheritance-and not degrade real stonework to the level of "cement compo." _, , Surely it would have been possible to make the* necessary restorations without materially adding to the cost and at the same time to retain the character of the Btone.-! am, eta, Xbotjbl

THE GELADBBOOK ESTATE.

Sib— in. yoor issue of to-day I am. reported to havo said, at the meeting of & held at MiStemarcb on tho 12th insL in advocating tho setting aside of the Gladbrook homestead block for an experimental farm, that "some of the land of growmg 100 b*&eb per acre " This is quite an error, and ns tnero mJjxht be some retained soldiers with only a littlo knowledge of agriculture who mignt expect 100 bushels per acre I shall be pleased if you will correct this. What I did eay, and I stand by it, as I know every aero of agricultural land on the estate, was that "there was land capable of growing 100 bushels of oats and 70 busnels of ■wheat." There is quite a touch, of tne "Yankee yarn" about the 100 bushels of wheat. I have never yet heard of such a Eke to say, also, that I am cer-fc-inry of opinion that ifee Pnmo Minister did not express himself as against the homestead being' made into an experimental farm. He questioned the advisability of establishing a State farm, but carefully evaded expressing an opnnon reading Gladbrook until ho consulted Mr Sadd and the permanent bands of the department. So far no reasons hare been brought forward why the homestead block is unsuitable for an experimental farm, and as I am so thoroughly convinced that no more suitable spot can be found I am anxious to know yhat arguments against such a scheme can be advanced. With aU due respect to Mr Sadcrs suggestion to put thra block up and soil it at auction, I must say there is a very strong feeling amongst^the residents here that it would be most regrettable if the Government would let tfiie beautiful block pass into the hands of any private individual If not a State farm, why not a homo for returned soldiers'? I trust the Government will giro this due consideration ere it lets the homestead pass from it.—l am, etc., Wμ. Robertson. WiHowbaok, MMdlemareh, January 14.

A oooHng, refreshing, healthful drink that will help you zesist tho enervation of long, hot summer days is KOLA-NIP. It is a delicious, nom-alcobolio compound made from the Kola Nut