PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20387, 30 December 1937, Page 9

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondents, whose letters are welcome, but for whose views we have no responsibility. Correspondents are requested to write In Ink. It 1b essential that anonymous writers enclose their proper names as a guarantee of good faith. Unless this rule Is complied with, their letters will not appear.

A REAL DANGER (To the Editor) Sir, —While walking across Seddon Park this morning I picked up a safety razor blade, apparently dropped by i some careless person. I know of few j filings which can inflict a more painful j wound, and people should he very ! careful to see that such things are j placed well out of harm’s way. On a park of this nature where j children are constantly playing, especially during the holidays, and where organised games are in progress each week, such an article might do considerable harm. Surely it has been realised what a danger these blades are! There should be no need to make an appeal to the public in a case like this, as the thoughtlessness amounts to criminal neglect.—l am. etc.. COMMONSENSE. Hamilton, December 29. VISIT OF THE CENTAURUS (To the Editor) Sir,—Like a good many others, 1 would like to see the flying boat pass over the Waikato, hut my friends tell me that it would not be right to fly it so far inland. I know nothing about these things, but it seems to me that at one stage or another on the long journey from England the Centaurus must have flown over fairly long stretches of land. If It followed coast lines all the way, then it must have covered an immense distance. How do the boats get to the Mediterranean? Do they go right round the Spanish peninsula? Then how do they get from Egypt across to the Persian Gulf? These are only two stages, and there must have been others. I agree that it would be unreasonable to ask the commander to run any unnecessary risk. The safety of the boat is his first concern, but by airline the Waikato is not far from the j sea and less from two big harbours. It would he a real pleasure to see it. —I am, etc., TERRA FIRMA. Hamilton, December 29. A CREDIT PLAN (To the Editor) Sir, —I notice that Mr Seymour has asked about some plan which Major Douglas was to prepare to meet the conditions peculiar to the Dominion. I have a distinct recollection of the visitor—l think it was just before his departure—giving a few particulars of a plan that really interested me. 1 have always been sorry that I did not cut the report out, hut from what I can remember It involved limiting the dividends of the banks and using any surplus profits to reduce overdrafts. At the time f thought that some suoh plan would suit me very well. I had a rather large overdraft. I have heard nothing of the matter ever since, and, what is strange, have never come across anyone who could recall the proposal, yet I could not have Imagined it. Perhaps a search of the flies about the time Major Douglas left New Zealand would bring it to light. Have any of your readers any recollection of the matter? —1 am, etc., G.G.G. Cambridge, December 28. CORRESPONDENCE (To the Editor) Sir,—For another year the correspondence columns have continued to to give readers a great deal to think about, and it is remarkable the number of topics discussed. The many phases of economics have had steady attention all the time, and I suppose will have even more attention next year, for these things always come into an election. Then the views of different people on producers’ problems have been of interest, and certainly have shown townspeople some of the things that the men on the land have to face. What has interested me was to find so many people ready to take a part in discussions on historical subjects. The recent one about Napoleonic finance was good. It showed that many people study history still and that they are prepared to back their opinions with weighty quotations. Local controversies included Garden Place Hill and the site for the new Post Office, and it was evident that people took an interest in civic affairs, for they have been the subject of many letters, while general politics probably ran economic issues close for top place. 1 recall with pleasure one discussion on the effect of machinery dom of speech. They were on a high level, and well worth reading. The letters have ranged the world, with Alberta very prominent, and Russia a good second, and there have been some splendid appeals for good causes, such as the learn-to-swim week ami the bobby calf trade. Throughout the discussions have been • taken in good spirit, and there have | been flashes of humour that were delightful, so at the end of the year t should like to express the appreciation | of a reader. My only regret is tlial good old "Pro Bono Publico” ami f "Mother of Ten" appear* to have j rested from the labours. —I am, etc., LETTER PAGE. Hamilton, December 28.

VICTORIAN HAMILTON (To the Editor) Sir, —So Hamilton Is progressive? At least that was the impression which I, as a visitor to the town, had gathered from acquaintances living here. I must confess I have found it a little mid-Victorian, in some respects. It can claim, as far as I know, to possess the only bathing-spot in New Zealand where shorts only are not permitted for swimming or sunbathing. I believe that the authorities here take pride in the work they have done at the Hamilton Lake, but apparently Mrs Grundy will not allow people to enjoy the full benefit of an ideal amenity. Even if the restrictions at the lake are warranted, it is surely lit tie to ask that they should be reasonably enforced. Quite unintenfionally I committed the unpardonable sin of appearing in trunks only, and I was taken to task for my anti-social conduct in unmistakable—indeed, forcible —terms, ft) uring Ihe present holiday season visitors from other centres may unwittingly offend against these antiquated regulations, and I would suggest that whoever acts as beach inspector should be made to realise that being shouted at in front of hundreds of people is not likely to add to the enjoyment of a holiday or encourage one to make a return visit to the town. —I am, etc., SUNSHINE IS HEALTH. Hamilton, December 29.