Anonymous Letters.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 934, 2 December 1933, Page 10

Anonymous Letters.

Dear Sir,—l read in your Thursday issue the comment of a correspondent regarding suggestions to the in-going Tramway Board. Considering the result of the poll, your correspondent’s wish, that ” the new members will pay more heed to public opinion expressed' in the Press than the old board did,” is most opportune. Why? Because the Labour members, of the City Council particularly, have made it a practice to belittle anonymous correspondence in the Press. Mr Sullivan, for instance, never neglects an opportunity of discounting anonymous letters. Well, “He who won t be advised cannot be assisted ” is a motto to be adopted by all wise men. I have perused numerous well worth while opinions expressed above- pen-names in the Press, many of which the editor, w*ho, after all, is the most competent to judge, has deemed of sufficient importance and interest to publish in most prominent columns. Public men should never overlook the fact that, while they come within the category of dominators, public opinion, over pennames, signifies willingness to suggest without resort to the pile-driver. As already stated, I have read great wisdom over nom de plumes. One which vou considered worthy of the heading you allotted, namely, “ A Helpful Scheme,” was printed above a pen-name. In that letter, approximately eighteen months ago, the writer gave his own original suggestions, by which men on relief work could be given additional work for New Zealand-made boots, instead of cash remuneration. Whether the present much-appreciated method of obtaining boots is the result of that writer’s hours of thought for his fellowmen is difficult to decide. The fact remains that the writer of that anonymous letter, signed ” Commercial,” was the orginator of the scheme. The Labour members, having gained control of the ship, have a golden opportunity to prove their boast that they could improve the affairs of New Zealand if they held power in Parliament. They owe it to their late leader and to the party throughout the Dominion to gain the confidence of even their opponents by tackling the unenviable job they are confronted with in a businesslike manner and without too much leaning towards the workers, who, after all, are the dominating factor in the riding of bicycles, which they will still use if the fares are reduced to practically nil. It is one of the new boards first duties to discontinue the victimisation of the city folk for the benefit of Brighton and Sumner residents.—l am, etc., PEN-NAME.