PUBLIC OPINION

Taranaki Daily News, 11 September 1935, Page 7

PUBLIC OPINION

VIEWS ON CURRENT TOPICS

LONDON PRODUCE QUOTATIONS. QUESTION FROM CORRESPONDENT. (To the Editor.) Sir —As there seems to be considerable misunderstanding here on the subject of the exchange rate, will you kindly inform me how it is managed? Are the prices of dairy produce quoted from London the nett prices, or are they to be adjusted later in New Zealand One farmer will tell you that we get the nett price quoted in the cables, and another just as much interested will argue-that the prices quoted are the English prices, and the exchange is added when, it reaches these shores.—l am, etc., INQUIRER. Patea, Sept. 9. [The London quotations in regard to dairy produce are given in sterling. The exchange is adjusted in New Zealand, and at present adds nearly 25 per cent, in New Zealand currency to the London, prices.—Editor.] I - STAFFING OF SCHOOLS. (To the Editor.) Sir,—l notice in to-day’s Daily News that I am reported as saying at the Eltham school committee meeting. that “when appointed to relieving positions rationed teachers continued to receive the pay of rationed teachers.” I must disclaim saying so. The chief inspector told me tha,t they received the, salary of a relieving teacher, and that is what I told the committee. The point at issue was whether a junior teacher receiving a junior’s relieving pay should relieve a position for which a much higher salary was due. Yet I am informed that the department does not wish to exploit the rationed, teacher! The other point was that a school is entitled to another teacher in place of one resigned. We are told there is no teacher. It does seem on the surface that of our teachers is due. Teachers are still being rationed, yet not enough' 'teachers are available to fill positions.—l am, etc., J. A. RYBURN, • ’Chairman, Eltham School Committee. Eltham, Sept. 10. THE ABYSSINIAN QUESTION. (To the Editor.) . Sir,—As a mandate, an order from the League of Nations entrusting a State with the governance of a backward people, seems to be rejected, would it be possible for the leading nations to make similar terms, financial, protective and equitable as a company could do, and beneficial to all concerned? Want of room for expansion hardly justifies grab, and a certain country seems to be too much like the impudent beggar that we used to meet many years ago, who, when his demands were refused, became so, abusive that the weaker party had to seek protection. If the attacking party belongs to the League and declares that if not given what it wants it will be taken by force, other members of the League cannot be expected to agree with, that. Tire accusation that the attacked had not merited his .possession would not justify a robber, or blackmailer, and a nation using these tactics stands a chance of becoming unpopular.—l am, etc., S.W. New Plymouth, Sept. 9. REPLY TO MR. W. A. SHEAT. (To the Editor.) Sir,-Like Mr. Sheat, “I have no desire, etc.,” but I must point out that I did not complain that “the north men- were treated very shabbily.” It was one of the south ratepayers who made that statement, which’ I probably would have endorsed, only being an interested party, etc* • - '• A great part of the time taken by Crs. Green and'Gibson was consumed in listening and replying to the inany . interruptions made by Mr. Sheat hjmself, which cannot justly be debited to their account. Judging from the remarks and general-tone of other portions of Mr. Sheat’s letter to you, is one not justified in the conclusion that he wished the southern ratepayers, to decide upon a certain course without having an opportunity of hearing the other side of the question? ’ Finally," every councillor knows that m the discussion of the question at issue three south riding members of the council have -taken a great deal more time than the sum total used by the six north and central riding members. As to the other points, I could hardly be otherwise than silent after having the time I might reasonably have expected pirated by interruptions, etc. —I am, etc., GEO. GIBSON. Rahotu, September 11. . ' "F.D.” AND HIS DICTA. (To the Editor.) . Sir,—l must confess that I am. disappointed, for it was my hope that “F.D.” would prove “a light in the darkness” to his fellow creatures. Instead, he does not even attempt to kindle a spark of hope in the receptive fires of your readers’ imagination. My invitation to “F.D.’ to set out his constructive plans (if any) was actuated by the genuine hope that he might be able to help the country regain prosperity. His failure to do so cannot leave us’with any other opinion than that he is content to accept the alternative valuation secondly set out in my previous letter. With my groundless hopes shattered. —I am, etc., A GROPER IN THE DARK. New Plymouth, September 10. 1