Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 196, 8 November 1927, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

LINGERING MOMENTS Sir,— May I appeal to our proud city fathers to consider running the tramcars later —just half an hour. All the shows are commencing half an hour later, which means half an Jiour later to “her’' gate. Now, dear old fathers —you were young once yourselves—please don’t deprive us of those last sweet lingering moments. And you, Mr. Editor —even you can’t have forgotten “those” rosy days—join with us in our entreaty. Oh! dear sirs, give the boys a chance! BEAU CAVALIER. GENESIS Sir, — If Mr. J. Sim can prove that “man” of the first chapter of Genesis is one and the same with “Adam” of the second chapter, he will succeed in proving that the age of man, according to Genesis, is roughly 6,000 years. In that case Genesis would be discredited on that point by modern anthropology, which asserts the age of man to be much greater than that. I do not stand for the infallibility of scientists or for writers of scripture, except in a necessitarian sense. The important point with which I began this correspondence is that the author (or authors) of Genesis is not opposed to evolution, for both Hebrew words translated “created” and “made” in Genesis might be correctly rendered evolved, or emanated, which is practically the same. By the great law of karma, we all must reap as we sow. This was true of Darwin and is true of us. Those who sow infidelity must reap the same. No matter how convincing the arguments for faith in God and religion may be, they cannot be convinced thereby because justice demands that they shall walk in such darkness as they make for others. J. G. HUGHES. “LANDING THE JOBS” Sir, — In your issue of the 4th inst. appears an article under the above heading, re. preference being given to immigrants by the Auckland Tramway Department. I am very pleased to see that the New Zealand Natives’ Association is moving in the question. Being interested in the matter of immigrants being given preference to local workers, I made a few inquiries, and I am given to understand orders from head office to branch managers are to employ no one else but new arrivals. In regard to the appointment of the nine inspectors, the statement is quite correct, in that only one New Zealander was appointed out of well over 100 applicants. How long are we going to stand this sort of thing? I would suggest to the N.Z.N.A. it call a meeting

of protest and challenge Mr. Ford and Mr. Allum to come out in the open and deny that the above statements are true. (Denials from their armchairs in the office carry no weight.) They dare not do so. It is a wellknown fact that of every 100 unemployed men and women in this town, 90 per cent, are native born. Why? NEW ZEALANDER.

“On two previous occasions it has been definitely stated that the Tramways Department gives no preference to new arrivals and a repetition of the allegation is offensive,” said Cr. J A. C. Allum to-day. ‘‘l have received both by letter and telephone, offensive and anonymous communications regarding this matter and the language and accent of the complainants have not indicated native birth. Very many men interview me regarding employment, but none has given any support to such allegations as now made. For the third time I say that in employing labour the Tramways Department does not and has not given any preference to new arrivals.” —Ed. THE SUN.

IMMIGRANTS PREFERRED Sir.— In your issue of the 4th inst. I read an article relating to the preference shown to new arrivals from Home. In regard to employment on the Auckland trams there is no doubt that there is something radically wrong in this direction. I was born in Auckland and have brought up a family here, and have been a widow for 10 years and have battled through many hard times to rear my children. However, there would be some compensation in this if the native-born sons and daughters were given a fair chance to get employment on their merits instead of being pushed aside to give preference to new arrivals. The Auckland City Council is not the only transgressor in this direction, as there are also many prominent firms in this citv which adopt a similar policy. I know that I am only voicing the opinion of many other mothers in a similar position to myself, and I am pleased that publioitv has been given to this unfair procedure. COLONIAL BORN. J s not hing wrong with the method of employment adopted by the c *ty Council’s Tramways Department,” said Councillor J. A. C. Allum When shown this letter. “That department employs the best labour offering and in so doing fulfills its duty to all citizens, further, in all my experience of business firms in the city, I have never found even a suspicion of preference to new arrivals; in fact, the contrary has been my experience.”—Ed. THE SUN. THE OBJECTIVE EXISTENCE OF FACTS Sir,— Mr. Norman Burton now abandons his untenable philosophical formula (to the effect that we perceive only that which is within us) as a basis for the great act of faith which he alleges to be necessary in accepting the e A -_

istence of natural phenomena, now advances the discussion oy ing his case on the present wavr, t*f scientists to define matter i .. there are reasonably waie Jfao theories to that end). Matter basis of all substance (the e and their combinations), but tn . t ent inability of scientists v s this basic matter no more the reality of substances ana phenomena resulting therefro t 0 our present inability tracts in demonstrate what life is de jj r . any way from the reality pr * • tfais Burton merely skirmishes aro j, e point, in a confused manner, wfive will definitely deny t3ie coJD . reality of the elements ana t * m _ lte r) binations (which constitute j^s then we may allow him to r ~ rt of illogical Solipsism, to the , s P p ut S’ s which he has adduced nothing philosophical fallacy. attitud* scant support for such an from scientific authorities. g^ton' s Having disposed of Mr. . QU jjt latest defence, it is pertinent , bteßwhy he still refrains from etm b# ing us as to the basis on to conceives theology <or theo.. rest. I have repeatedly information. Is he .earl arguments regarding scie J . “so!» to prevent the ascription ot . y* basis to the tenets of theowfe^j^