TRAFFIC CONTROL AT CHRISTMAS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 16, 16 December 1932, Page 14

TRAFFIC CONTROL AT CHRISTMAS.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, —Your correspondent “One of the Sordid Accused” evidently got his back up at the definite nature of the comments, concerning public and private interests re a certain impending move relative to permitting motorists the freedom of the Square oil Christ and New Year’s Eves. However, unlike the Civic Fathers, I stick to my guns, repeating that public safety is more vital than the interests of motorists or business men. As ho endeavoured to ridicule my remarks, which were proven by the subsequent action of the council, in rescinding their own previous resolution, probably the right of. reply to some of the side issues introduced by hirp will not be amiss. His rambling reniarks and bewildered wandering from the question under discussion give one the impression that business conditions, generally, have rattled him somewhat. Even so, do not the conditions confronting the unemployed worker have the same mental effect? The questions of who pays the most rates, or obtains the largest rebates, who was most competent in collecting ok} clothes, or of obtaining charitable assistance, who bears the

heaviest burden of taxation, etc., is merely so much side-stepping the issue. Accepting his expressed theory that ability in the above direction gives one a superior social standing what of it,.when the purchasing power of all producers is no more, not even 'on paper? Is it not a foregone conclusion with the producers (toilers) broke, and a huge percentage of business men nearing the brink of bankruptcy, that one quite naturally can forgive his tendency to “fly off the handle”? One marvels why, under existing circumstances, business men don’t clamour for the extension of ■ that pernicious scheme (No. 10) generj ally, instead of at present to the favoured few, especially so, if ; as (claimed, their burden of taxation is I Kicomiiig unbearable. Large farm- ; ing and foreign meat interests are get- , ring greater consideration from _ the ' Government than are our business men. In financial depressions, the Government will even guarantee a bank, why not the butcher, baker; in fact, the whole bunch who bear this burden of taxation ? . One other, and last question, ho puts across: “Are women and children expected to walk to his place of business?” Did I expect them to fly, or be wheeled by No. 5 men, or what? No, Mr Businessman, although I frankly admit that the modern disease “motoritis” has a tremendous grip, even in obtaining all sorts of concessions. In conclusion, even at the risk of again being referred to as insolent, I would

just like to remark that this is another case where man’s existence determines his social consciousness.—l am, etc.,

SQUARE DEAL,