What Headers Think Letters to the Editor

Timaru Herald, Volume CLVIII, Issue 23316, 27 September 1945, Page 6

What Headers Think Letters to the Editor

BOYS ON FARMS Sir.—ln reply to “Farm Boy’s Mother.” I must say that I do not think that she has been able to enlighten us to any advantage, possibly through her inability to appreciate the problems of the farmer and his wife. 1 do not think that farm boys are treated as inferiors, for a farmer would wish to retain the services of a competent lad. Many youths of today from towns, or even from the country who have boarded in town for a few years for secondary education, realise that the country has few attractions, being too far from picture shows and other amusements. But should they choose the land as a career then they must be prepared to accept the conditions while they are being taught the rudiments of farming and often at considerable expense to the employer. When the town businessman employs extra hands does he expect his wife to board them and do their washing and mending? Certainly not. They have to find board and post their laundry home, or pay extra for it being done, if their homes are not nearby, and pay taxes besides. For tractor work a pair of strong overalls save washing, and a youth would be well advised to take up some correspondence course or hobby to fill in his leisure hours. He could also join a Young Farmers’ Club. The privacy of a hut would be ideal for such study, and he could have his own radio.—l am. etc., Farmer's Wife. Sir.—May one ask “Fann Boy's Mother" if she would like her little darling tucked in at night and sung to sleep. Very few farm folk would grudge any nice boy a chair by their fireside of an evening and few farmers’ wives would mind doing their soft washing and ironing. Personally, I think "Farm Boy's Mother” has a bit of a nerve to expect the already over-worked farmer’s wife to do the hired hand's heavy washing and mending. Anyway, he can always send his mending home to Mum. if that home is not too far away.—I am. etc., Farmer’s Wife 11. WAR HORRORS Sir.—The accounts given of the Belsen trial and the pictures shown in daily and weekly papers provoke the query, how much of actual fact, how much of propaganda? If actual fact, the Teuton has slipped in his technique between the wars. Did we not see pictures of babies whose hands had been cut off by German soldiers? Did we not see pictures of trainloads of corpses bound for a glycerine factory? Did we not see those bodies piled up awaiting the digester? Did we not see a burgomaster's daughter in the grip of a Uhlan, as but quite recently we saw a Russian girl in the grip "of a Hun? How convenient that photographers should be so handy and actually allowed to “snap.” Beyond doubt, old Jerry has slipped badly in his technique. Only one woman cries schweinehund as Kramer goes to prison. Not a male elderly or otherwise to add a mild expletive. A padre names Belsen an exception—not the rule. The Treaty of Versailles was framed in a spirit of hatred and revenge. That spirit stands in the dock of six crimson years. In those years 3,500,000 Indians die of starvation—but hush! hush!— I am, etc., T. Powell. TIMARU TESTING STATION Sir.—The germ idea behind the Timaru testing station is to afford motorists a reliable and -scientific method for testing their cars, safer road traffic conditions and the provision of urgently required garage facilities for extra buses now coming to hand. The system will be a vast improvement on the present existing methods for providing certificates of fitness. A car will drive up and be tested, if 0.K., a certificate will be issued and charged for. If the test reveals faults, a clipped card, indicating faults, will be issued free. Another test will be made when matters have been rectified and if the car tests are up to the standard the certificate will be issued and charged for. The proposition has little to do with the Mayor or the housing problem. In this connection the Building Controller has all the say. The Mayor is just like an ordinary councillor, except that he has a casting vote when an equal division occurs. It would be a good idea if the 1 Borough Council incorporated a workshop in the proposal. Charges would be fixed to return a fair profit to the Council and would also act as a yardstick for charges in other garages. If a private enterprise garage proprietor could do better work for less money, then good luck to him—the results of his ability would be his own.—l am. R. S. Wheeler. BOROUGH COUNCIL AND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE Sir, —One must congratulate Mr Ralph S. Wheeler on his stand against private enterprise as he has supported this viewpoint in the past, but" is this the attitude of the majority of the Council? Surely it is foolish to suggest that some services would be done better by private enterprise than the State or municipality, but equally so would this apply in the other direction, and it is my contention that plumbing on houses being built by the Council comes under this latter category. The only complaint reported when the appointment of a plumber was under discussion was that private enterprise could not do the work. May I again repeat that this is incorrect; indeed, with men being released from the Armed Services, apprentices and trainees becoming more skilled, and without defence construction work to cater for, one firm alone could do the work on all the houses the Council can build with the materials and manpower available. One would think that the Timaru Borough Council had found some magic wand to create tradesmen where none previously existed, whereas all they are doing is taking away men from one source of supply and emnloying them to do similar work with a great possibility of the output being less. Mr Wheeler writes about subsidies and wet-nursing to private enterprise. In what instances has this applied to our trade? He then informs your readers that the Council has received a loan and hopes to get the huts free: one could. I presume, call this spoonfeeding. The Chamber of Commerce did not support our protest until they were conversant with facts; we still suggest this procedure to the Council. Your correspondent introduces the unfortunate break in the water supply, which has nothing to do with plumbing, but having done so. one could ask him many questions, the answers to which would make equally bad reading for municipal enterprise. In the meantime would he please advise if (1) Tire Council staff prepared the plans and specification? (2) Carried out the supervision of the job in question? As for the airport, it would appear to be a monument to inefficiency and not to private enterprise.—l am. etc.. D. Menzies. TASK OF JUSTICES Sir.—With the simplicity of wisdom and claritv of thought so characte’--istic of his unassuming yet outstanding personality. Mr J. P. (just Jack' Steven expressed in easy language, in his after lunch speech this week, what many of us feel. What a lesson for those who would, and do. arrange Christian Councils, campaigns and so on. One very significant phrase stands out: “They can by their example in living, help to keen the administration of iustice respected.” When every member of every Church and that of course includes parsons, will take those words to heart, and practise on his fellow man (and no less on himself' what he professes on Sunday, there will be less need for long sermons. —I am. etc., Chas. Ed. Pryce. CORRESPONDENTS ANSWERED Ratepayer: Only one letter on one snbieet ran be permitted unless your statements are challenged by other correspondents.