Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 156, 22 September 1927, Page 10

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTIONS Sir, — Because a magistrate makes an entirely sensible and justifiable suggestion about a conscientious objector there is an outcry. Mr. Alan Morgan Richards is about to enter upon a life of self-sacrifice and service, modelled upon that of the greatest altruist of all time. Mr. Hunt has suggested an apprenticeship—a hard one certainly, but a test of the disciple’s greatness. Delving, or driving an ambulance, Mr. Richards need have no thought of the murdering of men, but rather a pleasant glow induced by his part in the remedying of ill. Briery, a practical experiment with the ideal of service. As for the dignity of the Magistrate’s Cozirt —but that might be contempt. ANTI-CACKLE. MOUNT ALBERT MYSTERY Sir, On the 13th inst, Tuesday night last, the Mount Albert Borough Council held a special meeting, this meeting being held in open council —business, regarding dismissal of engineer, Mr. Cook. I, like many more interested ratepayers, had the privilege of listening to the above business. This meeting lasted 20 minutes. We, as ratepayers. were not any the wiser at 2ts conclusion. Sir, at this particular meeting Councillor Floyd, after some discussion which was a little heated, stated that if he had not served the ratepayers of his ward and borough satisfactorily it was for those ratepayers to say the word, and he would resign his position. On the 19th inst., at a ratepayers’ meeting held in the picture theatre, Mount Albert, a motion was put to the people, seconded and carried unanimously, to the effect that “this meeting of ratepayers of the Mount Albert borough asks the Mount Albert Council to give reasons for the dismisasl of Mr. Cook, and. failing to do so, that it resign immediately.’’ After this was canned, Mr. Floyd was challenged by ex-Councillor Fulton to resign his position from the present council, and contest the seat against Mr. Fulton at a future date. Mr. Floyd was present at this meeting, and heard the above challenge, but sat in silence. FAIR PLAT.

PAY POLITICIANS FOR NON-WORKING DAYS Sir, —- “Are they worth it?” These words concluded your leading article last week on “More Pay for Politicians,” and now they have been talking for three months in Wellington we can ask ourselves two questions as the result: 1. How many tons of prod.uce will be added to our exports? 2. How many more miles of roads will be metalled? Situated as we are, 13,000 miles away from our main markets, these two questions are the only things that count for the future prosperity of New Zealand, unless of course the Government has in view assisting the mining industry or catering for the tourist traffic. The reply to the two questions must be

such as to warrant the query, “Are they worth it?” Now the question arises, what is the remedy? I have always maintained that the present system of payment of members is wrong. Instead of paying .£450 a year, pay them so much a day, but only pay them when the House is not sitting. Once Parliament meets they get nothing until they have finished the business of the country. It would mean cutting down talk to common sense. Hansard would be readable, and the session would last about six weeks instead of six months, and you would get business men to interest themselves in politics with a sixweek’s session who cannot afford the time tinder the present comic opera methods. Your leader on “Decadent Politics” shows the position to be the same everywnere, and backs my suggestion up for favourable consideration. The present system has been given a fair trial. GASBAG. Hamilton East.

SEASIDE PLAYGROUNDS Sir,— It is very pleasant to note the zeal of North Shore residents to promote the marine boroughs to the gay level of Brooklyn, but I would like tc know if their scheme of expansion as promulgated by the new North Shore Expansion League will develop merely into another boost for landlords. The trouble on the North Shore to-day is the absurd value of residential land, to say nothing at all about the stiff rates and rents, which are a charge for very mediocre municipal facilities. It is quite true that the North Shore should be made the delightful playground of Auckland, but the best way to go about it is to deserve the support of the public. What is wanted hrst of all is not so much an expenditure of £lO a head for new population as the introduction of a dependable transport system, better terries, reasonable rents for shacks by’ the seaside and a price within the means of ordinary folk for land on which to build pleasant homes. HERNE BAT. UNEMPLOYED RELIEF FUND Sir,— Reading the papers, I find that something is being done toward opening a fund for the relief of the unemployed. I refer to the subscription list opened and controlled by the Mayor, Mr. Geo. Baildon. Without underrating, and not for a moment ignoring the splendid work done by the mission people here, it should be realised that, just now, an ounce of practical accomplishment is worth more than oceans of theory. In other words, the very great need for practical, urgent, and immediate help is so obvious to even the dullest person that those with only a spark of compassion and human sympathy should. If they’ can afford it, subscribe liberally to this worthy cause, and so prove substantially that bread, clothes and housing are provided—not the stone of prolonged argument as to who should do it. The Mayor is the representative of the citizens here, and although the decision to help in this manner is rather belated, T feel sure all are eager to help. PRACTICAL SYMPATHY,