Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 165, 3 October 1927, Page 8

Citizens Say —

FARMERS’ UNIONS AND THE ARBITRATION COURT Sir,-r-In reply to Mr. Albert Spencer’s remarks about farmers’ unions wishing the abolition of the Arbitration Court, may I point out that out of eleven remits submitted by provinces to the Dominion Conference, not one suggested the abolition of the Court and only one requested abolition “as it affected farming occupations subject to prices realised in the world’s markets.” The conference merely suggested amendment, which Mr. Spencer himself considers necessary. A. E. ROBINSON. NORTH SHORE AMALGAMATION Sir,— Taking into consideration the intrinsic beauty of Takapuna, the facilities for bathing, views obtainable, its unique position at the head of the Hauraki Gulf, rich soil, and magnificent slopes flooded with glorious sunlight, it seems a pity that the population is not greater. For as the basis of a model residential area, Takapuna has no rivals throughout the Dominion, yet progress is retarded as in other marine boroughs by the pessimistic and parochial views held by a few leading citizens. So long as amalgamation is delayed, Takapuna will be sparsely populated, and the establishment of a vast, beautiful North Shore city remain in the imagination as a mirage of the distant future. Generally speaking the North Shore Expansion League is a Devonport concern, and Devonport has no policy of continuity. Devonport’s leading citizens are strongly opposed to complete amalgamation, and also to the bridge across the harbour. Again, progress in Takapuna is retarded by an irregular and inefficient system of transport, overcrowding, and general discomfort in travelling. If the residents in the marine boroughs would only take independent action and demand a poll amalgamation would be carried by a large majority. Amalgamation would make the construction of ah electric tramline from Devonport to Northcote possible and hasten the construction of a bridge across the harbour. Settlement would be accelerated, business stimulated, and rates would fall considerably. JOHN GUTNTVEN. Takapuna. LABOUR’S IDEALS Sir, — If the gentleman who writes on behalf of the New Zealand Welfare League will take the trouble to read my letter more carefully he will see that though I maintain that the Labour movement can rightly be credited with high ideals, I do not claim that it has a religious backing. I simply wished to prove that the movement is not anti-religious. lam sure all sensible folk will agree that religion is better kept out of politics. Neither did 1 claim for Labour that it sets out to “aid religious development.” There is nothing in my letter to warrant such an hypothesis. The Labour movement, being world-wide and embracing all races and creeds, must necessarily be free from anything that would prevent universal sympathy and understanding, so no “religion,” as the term is generally understood, can ever enter into it. This, however, is no bar to men and women of any creed joining in the movement, and it is well-known that a large number of its members are active members of different church congregations. We need go no further than this country to see the names of clergymen and prominent church-workers in the ranks of Labour. Does your correspondent insinuate that these men sacrifice their religious

(To the Editor.)

ideals in tin-owing in their lot with Labour? Their presence in the party proves that it is. not anti-religious, and that it is possible to be a Christian and a Socialist at the same time. Was not the Saviour of mankind an ardent Socialist, ar.d is not Socialism founded on the Golden Rule? Your correspondent’s query, re “the Socialist Sunday School in Freeman’s Bay,” is hard to understand, though easy to answer. There is no such Sunday School at Freeman’s Bay or any other part of Auckland at present, but if there were, he could rest assured that the children would be taught nothing antagonistic to good citizenship. As to the Sunday night meetings aid what is taught there, 1 advise him to come along and find out for himself. Be he Jew, Christian, Agnostic or Mahommedan, he will hear nothing to hurt his religious ideals. ZEALANDIA. A DEFINITION SOUGHT Sir,— There appears to t>e a sudden revival of that played-out bogie called Bolshevism from a certain sma.ll section of organised intellectual impresarios, whenever anyone talks Labour or commonsense. Would the Civic League give your many readers the definition of Bolshevism as the League understands it? And also tell them who framed the following laws, here in our own country, and how much Bolshevism is being practised under the flag of so-called democracy and British fair play? Naming a few for a start —The Motor Omnibus Act, The Vagrancy Act and its amendments. The Dangerous Drugs Bill, The 192 F. (Child Welfare Act and its amendments. If such laws are sanctioned by a democratic Government, then what is left for a Bolshevik to use the mailed fist on? CHECKMATE. A SCHEME TO RAISE FUNDS Sir,— As a possible solution (financially) of the unemployment in Auckland I offer you my suggestion for what it is v.-orth. Although I am fully aware of the ban on art unions I sincerely think the opposition could be overcome if application was _ made to the Minister of Internal Affairs from the right quarter; that is to say, from the Mayor (Mr. George Baildon), or any other influential business men. To my idea my solution is in effect part ancl parcel of the Government’s policy In the matter of Post Office Certificates to-day. Its aim is to obtain money from the small investor by these attractive forms of certificates, ; thereby loosening up the fixed deposit I holders elsewhere and ultimately circulating the money (obtained therefrom) in the country. My scheme is for the purchasing of these Post Office certificates with the voluntary subscriptions now being made and offering them to the public in the form of an art union at Is; a ticket with, say, first, second and third prizes for such amounts as may be decided upon. As this scheme is totally unlike the art unions held some time ago, I think the public, as a whole, would readily buy tickets (with a chance of drawing a prize) rather than give voluntary assistance of say 3d or 6d to street eollecttons. The money collected from the sale of tickets would swell the relief fund considerably and give the successful prize-winners a sound investment payable at maturity, or I suggest that arrangements could be made with the banks to cash the certificates. The advertising and cost of this art union would be comparatively suoaking very small. In conclusion. T say, here is a chance tor _ I f ome Philanthropist to become worthy of the name and start the ball rolling financially. X 11.L.C,