TELEGRAMS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20291, 27 December 1927, Page 10

TELEGRAMS.

(Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, December 26. Saturday, Sunday, and to-day provided Wellington with by far the finest spell of weather experienced this summer and the transport and sight-seeing services have had great crowds to handle. The new road round the wireless station to Mount Victoria was opened, and sight-seeing buses made the climb, giving passengers a wonderful land and a panoramic view. Special traffic arrangements, whereby all but tram traffic was suspended in the Mam streets on Friday and Saturday after 7 p.m. reduced street accidents to a minimum, and the only serious mishap over the holidays was the boating tragedy on the harbour on Christmas Eve. Trade during the final week was good, and a great deal of leeway in trade was made up. WESTPORT, December 26. The Westport business people had an exceptionally bright Christmas Eve, a carnival week being held. At the axemen s carnival to-day P. Bird won the Upngnt Chon, with J. Tracey second and .1. Mundy third. Time, Imin SSscc. THE CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SECRETARYSHIP. TO THE EDITORSir, —I was indeed interested in you» correspondent's letter of Monday last regarding superannuated Government officials being given appointments over the heads of men who have no superannuation or pension, but for a livelihood are dependent upon positions offering. It is only when good positions offer that an opportunity is presented for an ambitious and capable young man to advance and make' a name for himself. I know Mr West, the nevvly-appointea secretary to the Chamber of Commerce, personally, and admire him very much; but in my opinion it should be a universally accepted unwritten law, that under no circumstances should superannated men be permitted to stand in the way of young men who have their way to make in the world. Receipt of superannuation or pensions should be a disqualification. The appointments of superannuated men became a matter of necessity during the war, but it is certainly time such an unfair nrocedme was discontinued. Your correspondent states that Mr Spence was drawing £7OO per annum superannuation when ho took up the duties of secretary to our recent Esnibi tion. If this is correct, then Mr Spence should never hav e accepted the position or been permitted to do so. Your correspondent further states that as the Exhibition secretary Mr Spence made Be that as it may, there was every reason lo assume that a young man with the ambition that goes with youth would do at least equally well, especially when there is so much valuable information available to guide those who have exhibitions to control. Further, had a young man been the Exhibition secretary witn the Exhibition’s wonderful success, what a stepping stone to a great career >t would have been. Is it any wonder that so often wo hear of the best brains of Otago holding the best positions in the north? I say it is not, and I will "o further ami advise those with the ambition to determine for themselves early in life whether or not Dunedin offers thorn any encouragement or opportunities for advancement—a? does, for instance, the North Island. .Members of a bodv like the Chamber of Commerce should be the last to mass over brilliant young men, as they have done m this instance, 1 hope the Chamhei of Commerce will reconsider its decision to appoint superannuated Government man. and give our young men a chance to make a career Whv was the position not advertised?--! am, etc., Ambition, Dunedin, December 25.