VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

Taranaki Daily News, 6 October 1934, Page 9

VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY MANUFACTURE OF ARMAMENTS. “THIS SECONDARY INDUSTRY.” (To the Editor.) Sir,—l was somewhat surprised to read in the Daily News the other day a letter suggesting that the American armaments inquiry was timely, or somewhat belated, and asking when Great Britain was going to hold a similar investigation. It was urged as significant that many of the world’s big armament firms were closely allied with the Vickers company in England, and that huge amounts were paid by these firms as commissions to selling agents to push sales of arms all over the world. I protest, sir, at any attempt to destroy such valuable industries. Any business that can afford to pay millions of pounds in commissions must surely be an asset , to the country in which it is What matter a small war or two edinpared with the starvation and distress that -would follow the dismissal of perhaps hundreds of thousands of employees? And what would become of those artistic people who spend so much patriotic time in designing and making the annual supply of brass hate and red caps, ‘epaulets and leggings? But worse, far worse, would beihe world without its mystery man! What matters a paltry £400,000 compared With the mental anguish that would be caused to millions by the thought of one of the world’s greatest figures, Sir Basil. Zaha-. roff, in want of a cigar and starving'for caviar? , And I should simply hate, to think of' the thousands of little boys who would be deprived of their electric boats because a cruel, unthinking commission of politicians decided by one- fell blow to destroy the Electric Boat Company of America. This is a subject, sir, on which I feel the country needs an expert opinion, and in that connection I can suggest no-one more able for the task than your bld correspondent Corporal Bogey. I fear, however, that his martial ardour has sadly waned of late. You will recall, of course, that nobly-expressed protest from a facile pen when the New Plymouth Harbour Board sold scrap iron to Japan. It is months since the world was stirred by that epic composition from the corporal. The only word of him since then was a brief cable alleging that, he was attending the naval conference at Singapore. Where is he now? his friends ask. Did an unwise patriotism lead him on to Japan to count the rusty nails and horseshoes? .Or, converted to Communism, is he living a retired, studious life in some attic of the Kremlin?—l am, etc., H.M.S. PINAFORE. New Plymouth, October 4. WOMEN’S DRESS IN SPORT. • ' ' - (To the Editor.) Sir,—There has been considerable discussion upon the subject of women’s dress in- sport. You published to-day a report from London that many competitors in the women’s golf tournaments were’wearing trousers. This seems to me an eminently sensible idea, considering the rough conditions which one is frequently forced to play in during & round. Yet the women cricketers" flaunt ungraceful fripperies which assort particularly ill with their enormous. men’s pads;. Occasionally one . sees at .the picture theatres women in unsightly and badly-fitting flafinels. : The women are accused of lacking discrimination in dress, and .a ■few incidents of this sort point this fact. Nevertheless the men are no more sensible and, show just as much lack of taste. At a recent exhibition, golf match between professionals at New Plymouth only two of the players wore plus fours. Since they were followed by a large gallery, - many of whom came several miles to see the match, they could surely have made sure of being decorative even, if they could not guarantee good golf.— I am, etc., “DETAILS IN DRESS.” . Stratford, October 4. I POISONOUS FOLIAGE. (To the Editor.) Sir,—l have been interested by reading in your paper a description of the effect of the foliage of rangiora on horses,aS compared with that upon sheep. It is undoubtedly true that many weeds pol.sonous to some animals .are comparatively harmless to others. In this connection I might mention the dangerous tutu. It is the seed 1 of this berry that is to be avoided, but the actual flesh can be brewed to make a particularly tasty brand of wine.—l am, etc., NO HOPS. Omata, October 5.