CURRENT VIEWPOINTS

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22674, 30 July 1945, Page 6

CURRENT VIEWPOINTS

POLITICAL LEADERSHIP (To the Editor) Sir,—Commenting upon the Hamilton by-election, you opined that in part a certain lack of interest may have been duetto failure on the part of leaders to treat of world affairs. There may have been something in that, as these by-elections tend to become very parish pump, even more so than general elections. Still, I think the comment would hardly apply to the highest leadership on either side. Indeed, in respect of the Prime Minister, I should say that most people would prefer that he gave more time to home matters and less to world affairs. Coming to the Leader of the Opposition, Mr S. G. Holland, as an observer of many years standing, it is my considered opinion that the general statement made by Mr Holland upon his return from his recent tour abroad was one of the most masterly surveys of world conditions that we have had from any leader for decades past. I should say that some day a future biographer, chronicling the life story of an at present potential Prime Minister of this Dominion, will mark that survey as denoting a distinct development of the political mind of a statesman. The hustings do not really show the best of the calibre of any party as a rule. Breadth of outlook has not been lacking in the immediate past, and, if a change comes, it is normally Gertain that, coupled with a firm grasp of the internal interests of New Zealand, the chief leadership will also display a wide and sane outlook on world affairs.—l am, etc. t. e. mcmillan. NOCTURNAL BARKING (To the Editor). Sir, —We have a barking dog in our neighbourhood in Station Road. For three months it has barked solidly by day and even more solidly by night, particularly between the hours of 2 a.m. and 4 a.m., and its penetrating yaps can and do wake and keep awake the unfortunate people trying to sleep in neighbouring houses. Those whose bedrooms are in positions which muffle the noise of nocturnal barkings are lucky, and presumably the owners are thus situated. However, others in the vicinity are heartily tired of the disturbance, but unfortunately there appears to be no law against barking dogs. After half an hour or so of continuous barking at about 2.30 in the morning, we in the nearby houses feel like battering that dog into pulp, but it is to be hoped that the owners will take more appropriate steps before this drastic measure has to be resorted to.—l am, etc., TOWSER.