Salts Mill was like Hell on earth

SIR - Re letters about Salts Mill. I worked there before my 14th birthday. I know what Hell on earth means: short pay for long hours (35p per week), 7am until 5.30pm, an overlooker who shouted and swore.

I was only small so I couldn't work very fast. We had one week's holiday a year without pay.

I worked a lot of years in Salts. The top rate of a spinner was £1.40 per week. You had to work Saturday morning for that top wage.

I was born in Saltaire and still live in the same street. I look at the house where I was born 78 years ago.

I remember the doctor telling me the hearing had gone in my left ear and my right wasn't much better. Also in time I would need a wheelchair, which I now have.

I wouldn't go into Salts Mill, I don't even look at it. All mills in Bradford should be pulled down.

Mrs Joan Ferrey, Constance Street, Saltaire.

Warmonger Blair

SIR - I lived through the 1939-45 war and served in the Civil Defence in London. I well remember Adolf Hitler shouting the odds, dictating to the people who they were going to attack and how they would crush their enemies.

So I can understand where the German Chancellor is coming from when he says Tony Blair is just like Hitler, dictating and consistently doing all he can to antagonise Saddam.

Blair is determined to dictate to Iraq "You must live the way we do or else." The trouble is we have probably got more nuclear bombs and germ warfare than Saddam has in his country.

Blair has already been bombing Iraq. He could hit one of these germ warfare factories and perhaps destroy many Iraqi innocent civilians.

Tony Blair is a fanatic warmonger. He should listen to the United Nations and stop broadcasting his hate to ensure war is inevitable.

A Waters, Howard Street, Pellon Lane, Halifax.

Busy people

SIR - How can John Tempest (Letters, September 27) have the cheek to say that our elected councillors fail to serve the people and put in effort on their behalf?

Our three councillors spend hours dealing with all kinds of inquiries and trying to get a satisfactory outcome, which can sometimes be very difficult with a hung council and also keeping within the government rules.

Well done councillors John Buffham, Valerie Binney, and Clive Richardson. Long may you serve us.

Molly Clayburn, Peel Street, Thornton.

So tolerant...

SIR - Many people will surely agree with Suzanna Rehman's zealous defence of Islam in her letter published on October 1.

The Nigerian woman recently sentenced to death by an Islamic court for the terrible crime of conceiving a child outside marriage will undoubtedly endorse Ms Rehman's statement that "Islam has given more rights to women than any other religion".

And Ms Rehman's statement that "Muslims have always accepted other religions" will surely be applauded by the Christian community in Pakistan.

They are only too aware that the recent killings of Pakistani Christians in gun and grenade attacks show just how tolerant some Muslims are towards the followers of other faiths.

John Tattersall, Otley Road, Eldwick.

Put Britain first

SIR - Wembley are to be given £186 million out of Lotto money, yet no money can be spared in Britain for the homes where the elderly hope to spend their last years. Other millions go abroad and for anyone who wishes to enter England.

Why did folk go to war, many never to come back, so our Government can give to other countries and sport?

Charity begins at home so let's start by leaving the homes for the elderly alone, and let those who live in them have peace of mind.

D Burnett, Great Horton Road, Bradford.

God's revenge

SIR - I was very sad to hear about the fire at the Trinity Methodist church. I live not far from it.

But as our Holy Bible states "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God, so must those who do these evil things, will one day, have to face God. For vengeance is mine says the Lord".

Mrs V Wright, Fairbank Road, Bradford 8.