PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 195, Issue 22459, 21 September 1944, Page 6

PUBLIC OPINION

CURRENT VIEWPOINTS

TOWN PLANNING (To the Editor) Sir, —As pointed out in your subleader and by Mr Braithwaite, expert town planning is overdue. In five war years, progress which would normally have taken 100 years has been made in many branches of science. While most Allied countries and many New Zealand towns are making amazing and concrete efforts to build a “new world,” some Hamiltonians are prepared to adhere to pre-war “planning.’ I would ask these self satisfied ones to ponder these words: “Never have so many owed so much to so few.” For five years youth has sacrificed life, blood., health and yes, their souis, for us. What are the “town planners” prepared to do for Youth? If we have any gratitude for their sacrifices, surely some central part of the town could be set apart for a “youth centre,” and as our share in the national and international service to Youth Movement. Only by organised community effort will these ideals be attained for the masses, and child and youth delinquency be checked.—l am, etc., YOUTH CENTRE. STRAY DOG NUISANCE (To the Editor) Sir, —The paragraph in the Times concerning the stray dog menace came as no surprise. The wonder is that shopkeepers and others have commanded their patience so long. Tne town is over-run with stray dogs. Damage and defllment must reach considerable proportions, to say nothing of the menace to health. For some years there have been attempts to stamp out the dangerous disease of hydatids by a nation-wide campaign, and yet mongrel dogs are allowed to infest the streets of Hamilton, defile the goods displayed in the shops, chase cyclists and pedestrians and generally comport themselves as uncontrolled dogs will. The wrath of home gardeners and shopkeepers particularly has been roused and they are expecting the authorities to take appropriate action. Another instance where the nuisance is rampant is in connection with the borough rubbish collecting scheme. In most cases the rubbish receptacle is kept in the open. How many people have found their tins upset and the contents scattered by yelping scavengers? Those who have escaped must be the exception. Rather than force the public to resort to cruelty the owners of dogs should be compelled to keep them under proper control.—l am, etc., ANNOYED. SERVICEMEN’S ORGANISATIONS (To the Editor) Sir, —I have been very interested in the letters appearing in your paper on the subject of the Second N.Z.E.F. Association. It is said that an onlooker sees most of the game, and the following points stand out: New Zealand has a very small population, and it appears to be a pity to have a number of organisations striving in competition for the same objectives. Their effectiveness, as a result, must suffer. It does not seem reasonable not to be content with a thoroughly tested and influential organisation that is in good working order, especially when that organisation extends all its assets, experience and privileges on an equal basis to new members. •

Another point that strikes one is that the members of thp 2nd N.Z.E.F. Association do not see anything incongruous in belonging to their own association and to the R.S.A. There would be nothing peculiar in this if both associations were not working for the same ends, but the letters of their secretary and president, who seem to have somewhat different views on matters, clearly chow they are. It is very like a small child with a top of its own and wants to take the next door

child’s as well and will not let that child play with his top. These men who are writing have all the enthusiasm of youth and it jC rather startling to find that they are bringing forward the politicians’ hackneyed catch cry of four years ago, namely, that this war is being fought to preserve democracy. Both realists and regular soldiers know this was never the fundamental reason why we fought. The British Empire was fighting for its very existence and all that that implies to all its people. Even politicians have dropped this high sounding catch cry for three years. It is, therefore, very arresting to find in the young mind a stationary and non-analyti-cal outlook, which provides interesting study for educationalists. My advice to these young enthusiasts is not to be so foolish as to throw away their, inheritance. One united body of ex-servicemen can have a powerful influence —but divided both may fail in the good they can do.—l am, etc., STAN McLEOD. INCIDENT AT THEATRE (To the Editor) Sir,—My friend and 1 were delighted to read in the Times about a Hamilton theatre holding an afternoon showing of Jane Austen’s book “Pride and Prejudice,” and most surprised to read in the next edition that it was booked right out and that a 10.30 a.m. screening would be .hown. It was rathe! inconvenient ior us, eight miles out of town, but it. was our only hope of seeing the picture. When finding a seat, we noticed so many marked “reserved” that we thought, well at least we were in on something good, to find later that a .vhole primary school, complete with teaching staff, was entering and occupying these reserves. . We didn’t rnind this in the least but what we did object to was the noise created uy these young children. Even efter the picture had started they still kept coming in. Ai last they came to a finish, and not a word could be heard from the screen. Finally the master found it necessary to blow his whistle and appeal for quietness and better behaviour, telling them that “the school’s good name was at stake, and if he had any more bad behaviour the would be put out, etc., etc.” But they took as much notice of the master as someone took of the advice of the censor at the foot of the advertisement in the Times, “Suitable for adults only.” To defy the censor at a time when the schools have just had a fortnight or three weeks’ holiday, with a colourful pantomime thrown in, to say nothing of the third term when all the main examination« of the year fall due, seems a shame. This does not look well for the future man and woman of the country.—l am, etc., WORK WHEN YOU WORK.