I PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 112, Issue 18804, 28 November 1932, Page 9

I PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondents, whose letters are welcome, but fo 1 ' whose views we have no responsibility. Correspondents must write in ink. HORSES ON GREEN SWARDS. (To the Editor.) ji Sir, —I am sure the protest voiced j bv a correspondent in your issue of i Tuesday last regarding horses on foot- , paths will be endorsed by a large | number of readers. There are many public-spirited oiLizens who are seconding the efforts of the Beautifying Society in making a city beautiful. 1 know of one long stretch of green sward which has been absolutely ruined through the pure wantonness of horsemen and horsewomen, and I cannot blame the property-owners for their evident decision that their efforts are not worth while. —I am, etc., DISGUSTED. THE QUALITY OF CHEESE. (To the Editor.) Sir,—“Giles Hodge” has ventilated a real farmers’ grievance. The decision of the Minister to place an embargo upon the exportation of standardised cheese has cost the producers thousands of pounds, and so far ns 1 can see has benefited no one. "ho authorities acted too precipitately and allowed themselves to he made the tools of interested panic-mongers. All the argument was in favour of a standardised article, with Its guaranteo of uniformity in quality, but when some hair-brained individual conceived the Idea that it was remotely possible that the process of standardisation impaired the cheese the cry was quickly take-n up, and Ministers and others-were stampeded into action which should not have been taken without ample evidence that they were acting on right lines. The- result was that large losses were Imposed upon producers and the reputation of our cheese has not been improved. The producers have a decided grievance against the powers that be for their handling of the dairying business. One recalls how a similar stampede wreoked the control system a few years ago when success was just within grasp.—l am, etc., FRIGID. THE EXCHANGE RATE. (To the Editor.) Sir, —We have heard a great many opinions both for and against the alteration of the rate of exchange. It is very evident‘that something must be done to help our primary producers, as they are carrying on at a loss, but I think a better way than raising the exchange rate would be the lowering of interest charges to farmers on their overdrafts. These charges are excessive, being from 8 per cent, to 10 percent., and it is impossible for farmers to pay them at the present prices for their products. Tile lowering of interest would mean more to them than the raising of the exchange rates, and would not dislocate trade. I would suggest that the Government should see that this is done, and leave the exchange rates to find their own level. Tho banks have a surplus of money lying idle, placed with them, at a low Interest, for the use of whioh they are now charging the excessive rates I have mentioned. It seems to me that the banks are running the country, and not the Government. There should bea maximum of not more than 5 per cent charged on these overdrafts. If this were done things would soon right themselves, and there would be a docrease in unemployment in a very short time. When money is dear tilings • are bad. What wo all want is cheaper money.—l am, etc., S.O.S.