CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume L, Issue 16545, 27 September 1924, Page 12

CORRESPONDENCE.

LOCAL WOOL SALES. (To the Editor of Die Herald.) Sir, - it is noticeable that those most active in the cause of the above are not Dm wool-growers, but the woolbrokcrs—in other words, those who stand to lose nothing, hut gain everything. We have had frequent examples of what can be done in the matter of altering the scale of commissions and before the farmers guarantee any wool for sale in Gisborne it behoves tho latter to get a definite statement from the brokers on this point. This so far lias not been touched upon at any of the meetings reported in your paper. Will the same rate apply as in other centres, or will the agents charge a greater rate, as, for some occult reason, they do when selling live stock? The brokers assert that it- is for the advancement of the district that they are urging a local sale. I suggest, therefore, they show their disinterestedness by charging only a nominal commission at the inaugural sale, sufficient only to clear their expenses, and thus do their bit. to 1 encourage tho farmers to send in wool and make the sale a success. It would also be interesting to know how many of the auctioneers at present on the rail in Gisborne have ever sold, or looked even, at. a. wool sale.—l am, etc.,

N.Z. SCHORL CHILDREN’S ANNUAL GIFT DINNER, LETTER. FROM SIR. JAMES ALLEN. (To the Editor of the Herald.) New Zealand Government Offices, Strand. London. W.C.2 December 31st 1923. Dear Mr Wliibley,— Lady Allen, my son, and I have just returned from the Guildhall, where we have seen 12C0 poor children having dinner from Die funds contributed by the children of New Zealand. It would he difficult to realise a. more happy gathering in such a beautiful place, and I promised to let you know lioW much this kindness had been appreciated, and how grateful Prebendary Carlile and others of (he Church Army are for the continued interest you all take in the work. I am sure the school children of New Zealand! would be delighted to know what cheer they had. given to the very poor school children from the slums of Loudon. Dinners were also given with your money in Sheffield, Birkenhead, Nottingham, Perth, and in one or two other centres. —Believe, me your sincerely, J. ALLEN, High Commissioner for N.Z. tSinee the year 1910 invitations have been sent to the scholars of the schools of the Dominions, through their teachers, to help to provide Christmas dinners for the poor children of the Motherland, so that, on that great day of “goodwill to men,” they also could have a “a merry Christmas.” Many of those poor little chaps look forward with a great longing to the annual treat frofn the children of New Zealand. “Harry Clark” sent thanks to you for your kind thought, and said: “We had a happy day and plenty of roast beef and vegetables, sweets, custards, buns, oranges, and crackers.” -

His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand is most pleased to hear that 5000 dinners were given last year from your money appeal, and §ives us his approval and good wishes for this year. The unemployment, consequent on unsettled trade, lias made our relief work more necessary than ever. John Bull is ever grateful to those who help to relieve the taxpayer of the heavy burdens caused by unemployment. We all remember how the fathers of our rising generation fought shoulder to shoulder with those whose children we are now helping. Lady Jcllieoc is also keenly interested in our homes for “motherless children of ex-service men.”

We expect this branch of our work will, require assisting to the lane of £IO,OOO this year. In the past. New Zealand has helped in this particular work, many sheep farmers in Hawke’s Bay sending in •black and odd! wool to their agents for sale for the Church Army.

If each one could spare, say, one ileeco of wool, how much the total would help To maintain and educate these “children of the Empire,” whose fathers were comrades-in-arms of our present Governor while an Admiral of the Fleet, they with him, were keeping our trade routes open.

F. W. WHIBLEY, j Hon. Secretary, Church Army in New Zealand The Vicarage, Ormondville.

PROHIBITION IN AMERICA. (To the Editor of the Herald.) Sir, —We hear such a diversity of opinions as to whether prohibition in America is a. success or otherwise that it is difficult for readers to discover what conditions actually do exist there. Many New Zealanders lately have paid flying visits to U.S.A. and returning here inform us that prohibition is an absolute farce, or on the other hand is undoubtedly a success. It does not seem reasonable to expect that a person who spends but a few days in a country can speak with authority as to whether certain laws are strictly observed or not; nor does it permit of such sweeping assertions as those made by Mr. DeOosta regarding American prohibition. I spent a considerable time in the 'States both before and after the enforcement- of the Volstead Act, and T am assured that prohibition there is not the glorious success a writer to your paper would make it appear. A drunken man in many American cities is not an uncommon sight, and liquor can most certainly’ he obtained alfnost anywhere with comparative ease, and although many people have adopted the practice of making their own wines and beer for family use, yet I would not say the dry amendment | s by any means n, farce. “Titivcllor” quotes Judge W. H. Thomas as having stated that the time is coming when every country in the world would outlaw John Barleycorn. What about Canada? In MIS' practically the whole of Canada was d!ry ; to day, although the liquor question is rather confusing, Brit-ish-Columbia. Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec have Government control. Hotels in Alberta can sell beer by tho glass and “hard stuff” can be bought at 'Government stores under a yearly permit, so it would lead one to believe that prohibition in Canada was not a success. In view of this fact I imagine it will be many years before either Great Britain or tho colonies banish John Barleycorn. As far as the Britisher is concerned it will be no easy matter to enforce laws interfering with any of the pleasures growing out of the exercise of at least one of his five senses.—Yours etc., “AZUSA.”