Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 97, 15 July 1927, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

THE UNEMPLOYED Sir, — What did the Mayor of Mount Albert mean when he said, in reply to an appeal from the Auckland Ministers’ Association for more works for unemployment relief, that the council “was doing - as much as possible?” Only last week this council sacked 30 men, of whom I was one. We were labouring on the streets, and there is plenty of this work in the borough to keep us employed. Now lam out of work and I have a family to support. I know for a fact that 1,500 men are unemployed in this city. We get sick of going to the bureau and being told to “call to-morrow,” or of getting one day’s work and then being struck off the books. The position does not look half so bad in the returns, but actually it is intense. JUSTICE. MOUNT ALBERT POLITICS Sir, — In reply to the Mayor of Mount Albert’s answer to my letter: Would he have carried his loan proposals had the ratepayers known they had to pay far higher rates than previously? Had the new valuations been before the ratepayer earlier, instead of the day before the poll, would it have been carried? Has not the loan of threequarters of a million pounds a long currency; how long will it last at the present scatter cash way of spending? The reply by the Mayor of Mount Albert to my queries is camouflage. The fact remains that we have had our rates greatly increased, and increases will follow next year until rating on unimproved values relieves the over-burdened taxpayer. Verb. Sap. ARGUS. A CORRECTION Sir, — In your issue of the 3 2th inst. there was a report by one of your correspondents on the train accident at Rotowaro Mines, wherein several men were injured. He stated that the en-gine-driver was myself, the undersigned. I grant that I am the regular driver, but on Monday afternoon at about 4.10 o’clock—the approximate t me of the accident —I was in Karangaliape Road, Auckland, and a temporary driver filling my place. I would deem it a favour if through your columns you would rectify the mistake made by your correspondent. EDGAR HILDEBRAND. Rotowaro. THE BATTLE OF THE BOYNE Sir.— In reply to “Onlooker’s” letter, might I point out that Orangemen do not celebrate July 12 for the purpose of provoking party feelings or molesting our Roman Catholic fellow countrymen. They celebrate a great event in our country’s history, which gave us civil and religious liberty, and a free Parliament, where the people rule. We might as well say that the celebration of the Battle of Stirling Bridge, or the singing of “Scots Wha Hae” by Scotsmen would provoke ill-will and illfeeling against Englishmen. Orangemen protest against the Church of Rome’s tyranny to overthrow the State and Constitution of 1688, and stand on religious principles for an open Bible and a Protestant Church. The Orange Order was founded by Bishop Burnett at Exeter Cathedral on November 12, 3 688, which was also identified with the Revolution Club in Scotland. It is a British association and is not of Irish origin. To-day it is the second largest organisation in the world, with 3 0,000,000 members, representing every

Protestant rdee, church and society. The Orange Order is the bulwark of Protestantism in Great Britain. Orangeism stands for the same principles as the Covenanters of Scotland perished for and for which the Orangemen of 1688 fought the Battle of the Boyne. It was the Covenanters who manned the walls of ’Derry and gave to the Orangemen and the world the cry: “We will not surrender.” ULSTER. ON OPTIMISM Sir, — I read in THE CUN an article on optimism urging that people should look and talk optimistically, and quoting Mr. Albert Spencer’s remarks after visiting a number of country centres. The article says that people should think and speak optimistically in the face of the great depression and unemployment which exist everywhere in the Dominion. One can’t wonder at pessimism when there are 100 men applying for every situation; poverty is staring everyone in the face, and soupkitchens and relief institutes of all sorts are everywhere. It is all very well for those in receipt of good wages to speak optimistically, but appeal to the merchantmen and manufacturers, some of whom are almost at a standstill, and you will arrive at the conclusion that the condition of affairs is not exactly exhilarating. What we want is another John Ballance or Richard Seddon to enter the arena, once more to restore confidence to the people. If we had a Government capable of grappling with the intricate state of affairs raffecting the Dominion to-day, we would find optimism pervading the whole country. J. G RAC lE. Edendalc. T.B. SHELTERS Sir, Colonel Holderness, addressing the annual reunion of ex-servicemen, is reported in THE SUN to have stated that:—“There were 3 00,000 returned soldiers in New Zealand, and that they could get anything they asked for if they asked for it unitedly.” Very well; now will the officials of returned men’s associations promptly bring to the notice of members a matter deserving attention. I refer to the contemplated removal from the Domain, and at the instigation of the Auckland City authorities, of the ex-servicemen’s T.B. Shelters. It is known that the decision to remove the shelters was arrived at in spite of the vehement protests of the inmates; further, that should the project be carried out it will undoubtedly constitute a hardship to a number of old comrades. lam sure this matter need only be mentioned to insure immediate and sympathetic response from all ex-servicemen in New Zealand. Let the Returned Soldiers’ Association petition the Auckland City Council to reconsider the decision to remove the T.B. Shelters in the Domain. We will then be able to form an opinion of Colonel Holderness’s theory anent unity. DUD.