CORRESPONDENCE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVI, Issue 19157, 13 April 1932, Page 8

CORRESPONDENCE

SMOKE SCREENS AT FOOTBALL MATCHES. To tbe Editor of ** The Timaru Herald." Sir.—Now that the football season has commenced. I would like to protest against the nuisance caused by smok*. produced by the burning of rubbish in the vicinity of Fraser Park. Possibly those who are the cause of this trouble do not realise the extreme discomfort it causes to the spectators, and worse still, the handicap it must be to the players. On a dull afternoon, visibility is bad enough without the additional hindrance of smoke. The public pay to see the matches and they are entitled to some consideration. On at least three occasions last season, the afternoon's enjoyment was quite spoilt for the spectators, and the opinions of the players, if expressed, would I feel sure, be more forcible than elegant—and no wonder. Possibly it is only want of thought on the part of those responsible for the fires, and if so, I trust this letter may serve the purpose of drawing their attention io the practice.—l am, etc., G.M.B.M. Timaru, April 11. THE PROBLEMS AWAITING SOLUTION. To the Editor of “ Th« Tiraaru Herald.” Sir,—Those people who had the pleasure of hearing the Rev. Gladstone Hughes’ oration on the text: “I sat where they sat." must have been impressed with the material value of his subject. The Rev. gentleman emphasised the necessity for observation of the present state of affairs from every point of view. The strong and mighty to help the weak and lowly. But how is the material man to solv'e this great question, for as far as we can see, it must be tackled without delay. Ninety per cent, of the accumulated wealth of the people for many years past, has been the result of fictitious or unreal values. The majority of well-to-do people to-day are in possession of this so called wealth, which after all never did exist. These pebple represent the mortgagees or money lenders of this country, and while the working men, whether salaried or wage-earners are asked r o contribute to their own support, and suffer the 20 to 25 per cent, cut, together with thousands who are glad to accept employment for three and four days a week, and hundreds of our “young men,” the home builders of the future, unable to secure work of any nature, the money lender is, so far, not asked to reduce his rate of interest or reduce the value of his mortgage. In your valued journal of recent da.e you referred to this matter as • breaking the sanctity of a contract,” but why expect the struggling masses who are striving to pay interest on these “sacred contracts,” to sacrifice all they possess in the fight before these sacrid money lenders are asked to sacrifice either a reduction of interest or a reduction in the value of their morfgages. It seems the time has arrived when all personal interests and equities have vanished. Tht- diminished purchasing power of the people coupled with the high rentals aim rates, based on values which cannot be regarded as sane, is the greatest handicap which our business people and householders have to contend witn. With the exception of reduced salaries and wages, the overhead charges on business houses have not been reduced. If our Government are sincerely imbued with the optimism they profess why are they so slow to move in the direction of readjustment? It is only right that every man, according to his position in life should share proportionately in the great sacrifice which must inevitably come. What will the mortgagees and landlords do if thousands of properties are left on their hands? Is it not better that they should meet on one common level and discuss the question from every point of view? To establish such an organisation, representative of all classes of the community, would no doubt be welcomed by many whose varied opinions expressed through an educative and advisory channel. mr»y prove of great value to those who are working to solve this great problem. - I api, etc., FOUR SQUARE.