Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 205, 18 November 1927, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

VERY ANNOYED Sir, I unhesitatingly affirm that the New Zealanders are the tamest lot of people on the earth’s surface, most aplty illustrating' the turn-the-other-cheek policy. They have permitted the tram monopoly to drive the buses off the roads, thus compelling thousands of pedestrians to walk; they have allowed the tram fares to be increased, despite definite (though later denied) pledges that this imposition would not be inflicted. When the buses were taken over the chairman of the tramways committee, Cr. Thompson, solemnly assured the public through the Press that there would be no increase of fares, and that the transport service would be as good as ever, if not better than ever. And what have we? A ghastly mess, with inconvenience, delay, and even actual hardship, in widespread measure. To add insult to injury, a bus proprietor is dragged before the Court and fined for not imposing the “penal” fare —which is to say, he did not penalise the public as demanded by this monstrous monopoly—this monopoly being the licensing authority, which can smash opposition on any pretext it likes to invent! And the tame citizens take it “lying down,” just as they accept other insults and injustices. Serve them right! “DISGUSTED.” A BUCKET MIXTURE Sir, I have seen a practice carried out in some of the public hotel bars in Auckland which needs immediate attention. In some hotels where ale is drawn from barrels a bucket or dish is placed under the tap to catch drips. Also dropping into this receptacle is the overflow of the glasses refilled for men, some of whom are dirty, some filthy, and some diseased. Bottles, riggers, etc., are filled over these buckets by means of a funnel, with overflow going into the receptacle mentioned. To cap all, I have seen this bucketmixture deliberately poured back into the barrels to be served again as r*ure ale. A little action on the part of the health authorities (who employ inspectors to see to the cleanliness of the glasses and their washing in hot water) seems to be indicated. TAKE ACTION. “I have never heard anything of such a practice,” said Mr. P. Brodie, president of the [Licensed Victuallers’ Assocation, when the above letter was read to him. “My association is as solicitous for the public health as anyone and if such is the practice anywhere it should be suppressed rigorously and immediately.”— Ed. THE SUN. “TE KOOTFS TRAIL” Sir, — It was my privilege to witness last night the initial screening of Mr. Rudall Hayward’s picture, “Te Kooti’s Trail,” and I wish to express the pleasure it has given, and to urge others to take advantage of the opportunity of seeing this excellent production. From an historical point of view

it behoves all New Zealanders, both Maori and Pakeha, to see this film and those from overseas can learn much of what it meant to establish British rule in this country. From an artistic standpoint the picture Is unique, for it shows some of our beautiful virgin bush, a sight few townspeople ever see in reality. Then there is the charming view of the Whakatane Valley, with its willowbordered river seen by moonlight, a scene of transcendant beauty. The acting leaves little to be desired, and Mr. Hayward is to be congratulated on securing people of such ability to co-operate with him. Auckland is fortunate in having among its citizens a man of enthusiasm and energy, and whose patriotism enables him to accomplish what Mr. Hayward has done. Before concluding I would like to draw the attention of the public to the fact that the popular pronunciation of the name of the redoubtable marauder is altogether wrong. This was a nickname, and is only a Maori-ised form of “The Court” and should therefore be pronounced as if spelt—Te Korti. The reason for the “oo”' is that in Maori two consonants are never placed together. ZEALANDIA. IRELAND Sir, — Sinae the lamented death of his Eminence Cardinal O’Donnel, no man has done more for the Irish language and literature than the newly-ap-pointed Provost of Trinity College, Edward John Gwynn, who has been promoted under advice from the Executive Council of the Irish Free State. His special subject is Irish literature, and his name is known wherever Celtic studies are followed. Last year the honorary degree of the Irish National University was conferred upon him as a recognition of his eminence in Celtic literature. It is not generally known that the new provost’s mother was a daughter of the Irish patriot Smith O’Brien. It is fine to see throughout the Free State the loyal help which Unionists are giving in order to build up the fabric of a peaceful and happy Ireland. CLAN CONOL. SUNDAY CONCERTS Sir,— I notice that the City Council has decided not to issue any more permits for Sunday concerts. It is my opinion, sir, that the council is in error. In the first place, Sunday concerts are the means of entertaining a large number of people who never enter a church, and secondly, they have the effect of sheltering numbers of girls and youths who otherwise frequent the streets, and public parks on Sunday evening.s I have attended the Sunday concerts, and do not agree with the council finding that they were run in an unsatisfactory manner. I consider great credit is due to the promoters for the way they carried out the various programmes and suppressed any disturbances by youths among the audiences. The jazz band music, X think, might

have been omitted from their grammes, but as far as the rest of u>e items were concerned I don’t think any exception could have been taken. I should like to mention that. promoters of the concerts have gi liberal donations to people in distress circumstances, and also contributed the unemployment fund. I sincerely hope the council win consider its decision, and let &l *na y concerts continue as a means oi e tertainment for non-churchgoers. SYMPATHY. THE BASIS OF THEOLOGY regret that Mr. Norman BorMJ should mar this discussion by a dispj** of temper such as characterises » latest letter. . I contend that my summary ol meaning underlying Mr. Burton’s a ' guments was fairly deducible from tn current of his correspondence. used much space after entering controversy in an endeavour to Pr 0 . that we know nothing objectively * tha.t science is a product of Finally, however, as a result of inquiry, he admitted accepting the of matter after castigating me for stj* ing it was a fact. During this PJfJv I pressed him repeatedly, without r * suit, to disclose what he considered be the basis of theology. (He ca* verify this from his files. I have n just taken the question up, as erroneously states). Unable at last disregard the questioning of Mr. and myself any longer, and after I d questioned whether he was not atr»i that his arguments regarding the has of science would vitiate any atteimto posit a genuine basis for thoiogy* Mr. Burton stated that theology, u*. science, was based on faith, reason aa experience. But already having mitted that science was true, his oning fairly implicated the sylloS l used by me to describe it. * Mr. Burton should not be annoy if through his own lack of clan ideas are honestly misrepresenteddoes it enhance his dignity to charges of dishonesty on *ucb cim-.. pretext v tSA.