VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1934, Page 9

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

VIEWS ON CURRENT TOPICS LABOUR CONDITIONS ON FARMS. A SUGGESTION TO EMPLOYEES. . (To the Editor.) Sir,—l crave space to reply to the feW irresponsible people who have lately drawn such a black picture of the farm employers, and have not even been sporting, enough to sign their names. In my own experience I have had several jobs from Wellington up to here, and left through my employers not being able to keep me on. These people have all treated me as one of their own. If many of these poor, defenceless victims working on farms were to play the game while their bosses were away at meetings, and not sit down reading books or listening to the wireless, , they would probably get better treatment However, these poor fellows are not cemented to their jobs, so why do they stay with no cake or days off, when the local papers are full of advertisements notifying vacant positions? I wonder whether “Anti-Humbug” has ever seen an outdoor bedroom with a fireplace attached. • Even -so® the occupant, would not have, the time to cut the wood, according to the numerous letters headed “Farm Labour Conditions.” One. correspondent even says the job offers no progress. I should not think it would when the average employee owns a motor-bike and spends at the rate of £1 a week when his wages are that less tax. In conclusion I ask these people to sign their names and give the farming community a fair spin.—l am, etc., ' J. HAZLEWOOD. Matapu, Sept. 10. EGMONT NATIONAL PARK. (To the Editor.) * Sir,—l was greatly, distressed to read in your issue of yesterday of the destruction of 'timber and'forest trees in the East Egmont portion of the National Park, vandalism that had evidently been going on for some considerable time right under the eyes, as it were, of the body controlling that portion of the reserve. My reason for writing this is to inquire whether you can throw any light on the purpose of the board meeting held at Stratford going into committee and excluding the Press. Such action natur-__ ally raises the question as to whether any body has been receiving pecuniary benefit by way of royalty for firewood, posts, etc. Whatever is behind the action, it is outrageous and scandalous that such destruction should have been allowed to continue, and whoever is responsible for such vandalism should be brought to book in no uncertain manner.—l am, etc., ,W. H. SKINNER. New Plymouth, Sept 10. NORMANBY ELECTION. (To the Editor.) Sir,—Regarding the article in your paper on the Bth inst you bring the merger question to the fore. Some considerable time ago the petitions for and against this proposition were forwarded to a Government department for a decision which up to the present has not arrived; therefore the merging question should have nothing to do with the forthcoming election. My view on local body affairs is that too much party division is being introduced, and the selfhelp spirit should be entirely eliminated. All moneys for maintenance work or otherwise should be spent in an impartial manner, namely, for the many instead of the few. By so doing it is giving the ratepayers at large less cause to complain of the shortcomings of the sitting board. In any case the voting opens on the 19th- inst., which gives the ratepayers ample time to make,, their choice, good, bad or indifferent.—l'am, etc., . YOUNG., Normanby, Sept 20, ' , . . .

WOMEN AND WAR. (To the Editor.).: Sir,—lt is very refreshing to know that at least one woman -in Taranaki holds some sound convictions ’ and the. courage to express them. I refer to Miss Elsie Andrews’ address to the Auckland branch of the League of Nations at College Hall after her arrival from the Pan-Paci-fic conference. If. every woman pulled her weight in the cause ,of peace there would soon be an end of bloodshed. We allow , ourselves to be carried away .by the mob spirit and by such .catch cries, as “King and Country.” It is all a case of instinct versus reason. _ _ As long as private concerns are legalised to make the huge profits which they do, out of the sale of armaments to their own and their enemy countries, just so long will peace conferences continue to be broken up in the same old way, and we shall be liable to be hurled from one fearful catastrophe to another until the final and complete fall of civilisation. I, too, if my country were to engage in another war, should do all that lay in fny power against it I, too, should be willing to go to gaol or to my death, in the great cause of peace if my country • saw fit to subject me to that. Every woman should ■'refuse to bring children into the world so long as the State reserved the right to use them for “cannon fodder” as soon as they are grown up. , Much could be written upon this subject, but for the “ present I shall content . myself by. craving space for a. reprint in your paper of the famous nursery rhyme by “Fumley Maurice”;— One year, two year, three year, four,. Comes a khaki gentleman, knocking at the door. Any little boys at home? Send them out to me ■ - To train them, and brain them in battles yet to be. Five year, six year, seven year, eight,, Hurry up you little chaps, the captain’s at the gate; When a little, boy is born, feed him, train him, so, . Put him in a cattle pen and wait for him to grow, ' ‘ When he’s nice and plump and dear, sensible and sweet • . . Throw him in the trenches for the grey rats to eat. Toss him in the cannon’s mouth, cannons fancy best, Tender little boy flesh, that’s easy .to digest. One year, -two year, three year,; four, Listen to the generals, singing out for more. . . ■ Soon he’ll be a soldier boy, wont he be a toff, \ Pretty little soldier with his head blown off.’ —I am, etc., ‘ ELEANOR EGARR. Tariki, Sept. 10.