PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21051, 1 March 1940, Page 9

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondent* whose letters are welcome, but for whose views we have no responsibility. Correspondents are requested to write In 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. THE BRITISH NAVY (To the Editor) Sir,—Apropos of Drake’s drum, I saw where Drake’s ghost had an interview with, I think, the ghost of Jellicoe, in which he said: “My navy singed a king’s beard. Your navy singed the Kaiser’s moustache.” I was thinking that perhaps the reason why our present Navy has not : | done anything very spectacular up . i to the present was because the “Hit- ; ler smudge” was too insignificant for them to get hold of. What talks those old sea-dogs ! must have in the Abbey at nights! Says Blake to Drake, For good luck’s sake Let’s go to Trafalgar Square, And drink a cup of good red wine t With the hero standing there. —I am, etc., W.L.C. Hamilton, February 29. HAMILTON MOTOR CAMP (To the Editor) Sir, —I have been surprised at the ! lack of business acumen, to say nothing of civic pride, displayed by ‘ our council in the matter of the motor camping ground. I think one would be safe in saying that the Hamilton camping ground is one of the worst for a town of the size in ! New Zealand—a poor site and very ! few amenities. To compare it with camps in a town of a similar sire, say Wanganui, would be absurd. Regarding the business side, I was 1 told by the caretaker at Rotorua that the camp there had on an average 1000 cars every night for three months at Christmas. It takes no i financial genius to reckon what 1000 cars at 2s 6d a night mean. Then j take the return to the business comj munity—looo cars with an average jof three persons a car. They cannot I live on air, and who is to benefit by j their presence? It is to be hoped that the council will stir things up and make a ground that a Hamilton citizen who iz proud of his town can show without apologising.—l am, etc., MOTORIST. Hamilton, February 28.

ERGO! IT'S ERGOT (To the Editor) Sir,—ln reply to Mr Seaton’s letter in your issue of February 28, I dedicate the following to the world authorities on ergot, Messrs Seaton and Kent:— Why are our farmers gored by bulls? Don’t tell me you do not know; Only a bunch of gol-damed fools Could be so mentally low. Haven’t I told you, time and again, The cause of all our woes? Why do you not believe me, then, And try to avoid these blows? Four-score years ago and ten My own bull attacked me; He buried his knees full inches six In the turf by my tummy. A hornless bull is a dangerous beast, Much worse than a bull with horns; For a hornless bull learns to use his knees To knead you into the thorns. But there is no need to be kneaded, For the bull is only wild Because of ergotised pastures, Which should be plain to every child. This ergot js a poison Which soon affects the brain (I too was ergotised once And was never the same again). And if we lose this present war I’ll have only this to say—“l told you so, many years ago; Ergot will have its way.” —I am, etc., AN UNCIVIL SUBSERVIENT. Hamilton, February 29. GARDEN PLACE SITE (To the Editor) Sir,—The Waikato Winter Show Association is offering £IO,OOO for a site on Garden Place, with the condition that no rates are to be charged for ten years. With this stipulation, it is hard to say just what the association thinks is the selling value of the site. Let us look at what would happen under the Natural Justice policy. To be on the safe side, let us assume that the area is worth £SOOO. As 5 per cent is commonly reckoned to be a fair average interest on money or money’s worth, the annual rental value of the site would no doubt prove to be at least £250 in the open market. At any rate, under the Natural Justice policy, it would go to the highest satisfactory bidder, who could have any title he i liked, freehold if he desired it, but I he would have to pay the full annual ground rent every year, which I would rise or fall according to the market value of the site, this provision keeping a user of land on a I basis of economic equilibrium as far las the annual rent was concerned. Individuals and corporate bodies should be able to hold land in perpetuity, the social value, or annual rental of the site, being paid not for land—which is a free gift from the Creator—but for the value of the social service, of all forms of progress. available at any given site, whether in town or country. If this ptdicy were adopted, Messrs Croall and Lafferty would not need j to grieve about loan proposals being turned down, because there would be ample revenue without loans. Wise expenditure would be selfsupporting. because it would automatically increase the site values, and thus the annual revenue. The offer of the association bears out these contentions. —I am, etc., T. E. McMILLAN. Matamata, February 28.

OBJECTIVES IN THE WAR (To the Editor) . Sir, —Some people ask, “What are •we fighting for?” Mr Chamberlain wa ace fight!ng; Xor democracy *