NOTES AND COMMENTS

Patea Mail, Volume XLIV, 3 December 1920, Page 2

NOTES AND COMMENTS

There is usually a "burning question" before the public in any town that is at all alive. In fact, one of the worst things that can happen, to any . town is for it to get into such an apathetic state that people do not care what happens, and take little or no interest in itlic management of municipal affairs. Tor some time past the lighting problem was naturally >a "burning" question, and at prosent, thanks to the excellence of the light supplied of late, interest in lighting matters has waned and will continue to wane as long as a good light, is supplied and until the loan proposes arc brought forward. Then we hope to see it revived, and the loan carried by an overwhelming majority, as it would be it pity for the hydro plant to be idle when the water and necessary fall for a cheap and effective supply are available.

* * * * For the last few days >the War Memmorial has been the "burning question," though it litis not really aroused the amount of interest that its importance deserves. However, now that it has been definitely decided what form it is to take, we hope the people will rally round the Domain Hoard, and see that a fit and proper gateway is erected. The idea underlying the motion that a cross be erected has much to commend it. The people should, no doubt, be taught to make some sacrifice in return for the sacrifice that has been made for them v»ith- * out expecting something in return. But we fancy if the dear lads who have made the supreme sacrifice could be ashed they would say "Don't waste money on what will be of no practical use." Let the sacrifice hi made in the amount contributed to the memorial gateway, which will be as * ornamental as the cross and useful as well. • * * 4.

When tlic memorial is. erected it will, we trust, he erected as a memorial to those who fell and not to those who fought in the Great War. We could not help feeling proud of the manner in which the returned soldiers who were present stood up-for their fallen comrades, and deprecated any- *• thing in the shape of notoriety for themselves. "Inscribe on the memorial the names of our comrades who fell, but leave ours out" was the verdict of them all, and one cannot help feeling that they were right. Each of those who spoke had been through hell len times over. All were Gallipolt men, and one had been wounded no less than four times. But—and here's the rub —if you are going to put the names of all who fought on the memorial you are going to put those gallant boys who were among the very first in New Zealand to offer their services on behalf of King and Country on a level with those who, when they knew that the existence of the nation and the lives of the women and children -were at stake, had to be driven to the firing line at the point of the bayonet. So let the memorial be a- memorial to the fallen, and the fallen alone.

The recent increase in the post a K charges has caused no end of trouble, *

few, if any, persons knowing what the postage rates at present arc. Why cannot the authorities do what any ordinary business linn would do—advertise their increased charges in the ordinary way.' As it is, they sponge on the newspapers for a. cheap .advertisement on the score that it is of public interest, and the newspapers publish the bald announcement given them as a news item once, and the public, unless they keep a copy of the newspaper with the announcement in arc at a loss to know what the real postal charges are. Of course, tliey can obtain (he information on application at a post office, but information that is of general interest to the whole of the people should be properly advertised, just as the postal arrangements for the Christmas and New Year holidays should be. Sate enterprise in theory is good, but in practice it falls lamentably short of private enterprise again and again.

Talking -of postal matters reminds one 41)at lenders have not been called for the new post ofliee yet, though, according to a newspaper report tenders are to be called for the new post office at Stratford shortly. Patea.'s needs are far greater than Stratford's. The I'atea building is nearly three time* as old as the Stratford one, and as for the accommodation for the public, well, there can be no comparison, whatever between the two. The size of the local box lobby, 4he size, of the local postmaster's room, where marriages are solemnised in the presence of witnesses, should be published far and wide, and the people would then sec that there are just grounds for ding that tenders be called for the new building without delay.