POINTS OF VIEW

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 62, Issue 4422, 7 May 1941, Page 4

POINTS OF VIEW

OPINIONS OF OUR READERS. FREEDOM OF SPEECH. Sir, I was astounded to read in Monday’s Courier that you had closed the correspondence columns for the elections and insisted that all writers must sign their proper names. This column is at the people’s disposal in all public newspapers for too long now for you to attempt such highhanded dictation. 1 consider that you have destroyed the people’s rights and I will be surprised if others do not demand the restoration of what has been long preserved—the right of free speech. We are not going to be gagged even if you want to shield some of your friends from criticism. —I am, etc., FREEDOM. [This letter has been abridged. The column is not closed, and if the writer will publish his proper name, then the questions and direct reference to the candidates will be published.—Ed.]

BRITAIN’S WOMEN.

Sir, —On Monday evening many people listening to the radio, as I did, will have heard the .recorded talk by the Rt. Hon. R. G. Menzies, Prime Minister of our neighbouring Commonwealth and will have noted his praise of the women of Britain. Women, as he said, who are in the war and are winning the war. Women, in his words, who do the work in the factories—not the light work of testing, but the work at the machines, with hammers and rivets, who have donned the ugly garments previously worn only by men, whose hands are greasy and hard worn by toil. He, a colonial, so tells us of Britain’s women. All honour to them. While vfe in this Dominion, in the same war and for the same freedom, with the knowledge and authority of our Government, prosecute people who attempt to work more than the 40-hour week; prosecute because women work the machine. And the Huntljr miners!! God bless the women of Britain. —I am, etc.,

WORKER (This letter has been abridged.!

A PLEA FOR ACTION

Sir, —We have all read with varied feelings the eye-wash concerning the activities of our local police. Why waste time over such trivialities as riding bikes on footpaths, etc., when there exists in Te Awamutu a dangerous state of affairs which should be dealt with at once. I refer to the growing immorality in this town. The position has become such that decent women and girls are being accosted by sexual maniacs with invitations to hotel lounges, car parties and rides, while excuses for familiarity are constantly being sought in the shape of “driving licenses” and “examinations for car licenses” etc. The women are not all to blame and these men are taking advantage of the absence of husbands and sweethearts to pursue women and deliberately try to track them down. If it is gfcod enough foi our boys to go overseas and fight for us, surely we are entitled to protection by some of our organisations which are constantly bragging of what they have done and what they will do. Surely some sincere citizens can be found to organise and stop this sort of thing. Cases are occurring every day, and every night sees these jackals on the prowl. Get hold of one case and deal with it officially or unofficially, but give it publicity. This will help us more than anything else. We owe this duty to our boys and if we cannot help in any other way surely we can do something to make the place clean and decent for them when they come back.—l am, MOTHER OF TWO.