Untitled

Temuka Leader, Issue 10053, 12 February 1927, Page 3

To the Editor. Sir, —Your correspondent “Vox et Practerea Nihil,” amazed me on account of his belligerent attitude. True, sir, to destroy is simple, to create difficult, but it was not with the intention of destroying that I wrote. iMy pen was inspired by the thought of finding an improvement. I reiterate emphatically that “Choose Charming Temuka” dpes not meet with public approval, and if “V.E.P.N.” does not move around with his ears closed, he must know that Temuka people as a whole are disappointed. The man in the street expected something more' definite, more positive, and it is common knowledge that such sentimentally thin words as “charming” and “pretty” being amongst the final five slogans of the competition, has given rise to derisive query, ‘What must the other ,78 be like?” I repeat Temuka is not in,her entirety “charming,” although bold man is he who would dare say Tebuka has not several charming places. To apply the word “charming” to Temuka, therefore, immediately involves something of a misnomer. “Charming” is a nice word —most euphonious, as “Advance Temuka says — a -pretty word suitable for a schoolgirl essay- on “A Day by the River,’’ or the like, but for a progressive, active and go-ahead town likje Temuka—och, mon! I suppose so far the slogan chosen might appeal to a few aesthetic people people not devoid of a sense o« beauty, but I am positive it will pi AIL TO ATTRACT THE MASSES of the Dominion. “Advance Temuka” would consider my attitude ridiculous if I failed ,to come forward with a catch phrase with -a “kick.” iln other words, he says: “Don’t make comment unless you can do better.” It is astonishing to think that “Advance Temuka” is not aware of Mr T. Wilford’s wellknown quip. “You needn’t be a footballer to criticise or appreciate good football.” “Advance Temuka” is apparently in a quandary. In one breath he says the slogan is euphonious—the Association might seek further and fare worse, this imparting a half-hearted impression that he is inclined to favour the chosen slo&an Yet in the very next breath that a popular vote he taken on all the competing slogans, demonstrating at once that in hie own mind he has doubts as to the real suitability of the slogan. I feel that the members of the Business Men’s Association must sense the disappointment of the general public, but I am certain that they are men of sufficient mental stature to countenance or make another effort. Look, Mr Editor. If I were not so thoroughly convinced that the townspeople are in the vast majority against the slogan chosen, I pledge you my word that I would never have uttered a word. By the way, what is your own editorial opinion? —I am, etc., “VOX POPULI.”