PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21040, 16 February 1940, Page 7

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 i* essential that anonymous writers enclose their proper name* a* » guarantee of good iaith. Unless this rule is complied with, their letters will not appear. GARDEN PLACE (To the Editor) Sir,—There seems to be some uneasiness in the borough whether the results of the scheme for the Garden Place improvement have justified the expenditure of removal. Are there any statements available for the public, enlightening regarding how much money has been paid out, what action has been taken to relieve the burden of the special rating area, and what prospects are there of the original ideas of liquidation of debts whereby the borough will not be mulcted in rates, etc., in the future? As this matter is one of public interest, will the council deal with this matter at an early date?—l am, etc., S.R.A. Hamilton, February 14. PAWNSHOPS AND PROSPERITY (To the Editor) Sir,—Mr Moody writes suggesting that because there are now fewer pawnshops in Wellington than formerly it proves the brand ol prosperity the Labour Party has inflicted upon us must necessarilly be good— maybe. There are several reasons why the down-trodden citizen pays a visit to “Uncle.” The most common, of course, is to raise a quid to put on a “dead cert.” The next hot favourite reason is to obtain funds for “sinking a few.” My own two visits to the pop shop were for still a different reason. It happened when the world and myself were a little younger. I had just left home and launched out on my own, and, fired by the examples of Rockefeller, Henry Ford and Croesus, I started in right away to amass a million or so and banked every possible penny each week. It so happened that on two occasions I underestimated the cost of living and, finding myself stoney before payday, had to “pop” my watch. This was in the good old days, before social security, social justice, etc., had been invented; nowadays the position is different, and the might-have-been capitalist would say “Aw, what’s the use of saving; the Government will only collar it.” The recent serious shrinkage in savings bank deposits provides further food for reflection along these lines. It would seem possible that the explanation of the recent increase in monetary circulation is not really due to prosperity, but more to a spirit of desperation.—l am, etc., JOHN THOMAS. Hamilton, February 15.