Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 214, 29 November 1927, Page 10

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

THE DOVE’S LONG FLIGHT Sir, At present a good deal of ink and space are being used in an attempt toi prove to a sceptical world that Europe is indeed moving on the road to disarmament. In THE SUN’S cable columns the other day I read that there are “at most 3,700,000 armed men in Europe compared with 5,318,000 in 1914”—a reduction of something better than a million and a-half men. Against these figures, however, must be placed the fact that since peace broke out, two of the greatest military nations in Europe have been compelled by the Allies to disarm completely. The dove of peace may be, as some declare, on the wing, but the general consensus of opinion seems to be that the bird has a long way to flutter. A.L

RACING CLUBS AND BROADCASTING Sir,— Through your columns I would like to convey to the racing clubs of Auckland my thanks for giving permission to IYA to broadcast accounts of their racing. Hundreds of sick people in the hospitals and in their homes, as well as the aged and infirm (in their young days never missing a meeting) have been cheered by listening-in. Great however, has been the disappointment expressed over the trotting authorities “turning down” IYA. Last Christmas those of us who, for various reasons, could not attend Alexandra Park, but were confined to our homes, were entertained with accounts of the various events by a man of conspicuous ability as a sporting broadcaster, but at the last two meetings all has been silent. Now, however, that the big meeting with its wealth of champions is again approaching, I trust that the Auckland Trotting Club will do the generous act by allowing IYA on the air from'the I ever-popular Alexandra Park. GT. BINGEN. A PLEA FOR DUMB ANIMALS ! Sir, — Now that Animal Welfare Week has gone past it is to be hoped that many | people will be a little more merciful lin their treatment of dumb animals. • Children are taught many different ! kinds of religion, or beliefs, but kindj ness to dumb animals is taught only to a limited number. Let us look at the well-bred horse roaming over his paddock, a picture j of strength and beauty, his spirit' un-

broken. The horse does no harm in this world. He is always ready to do his work, either on the racecourse, or in the shafts. And all this patient animal expects is that he be given sufficient food and water, and not sold to a hawker for two or three paltry notes, to end his life in misery. Prison is too good for the cad that beats his horse. A good sheep-dog does as much work for his master as three or four men. Yet some sheep-dogs are tied to a boundary fence sometimes for weeks, food and w T ater being given them about every four days. The cow gives milk for hospitals where thousands are kept alive by milk alone, and by many people the cow is rewarded by being kicked and buffeted about. The sheep supplies us with wool, and many a time and often pieces are cut out of his skin when shearing the fleece from his carcase. „ • More than half the animals bora on this earth find it a hell, and look on man as their worst enemy. C.E.O.S. CAPITAL PUNISHMENT Sir.—• The jury has brought in a verdict of not guilty in favour of Charles William Boakes, of Christchurch, charged with murder. The evidence was circumstantial. As doubt is always likely to exist in cases where evidence is circumstantial and* a verdict other than “not guilty" is returned I say it is quite time to demand the abolition of capital punishment. God’s law says: “Thou shalt not kill.” Therefore, in view of the possibility of mistakes, the judgment of accused persons should be left to Our Creator. If we hang a man on circumstantial evidence we are likewise “murderers,” morally, of course. R.N. TARIFF WALLS Apparently “C.H.N” derives great pleasure from the fact that America pays foreign shipowners some £96,000,000 yearly, and his willing mind finds comfort in the thought that this is how her trade balance—so favourable to her—is accounted for. “C.H JNT.” having been afforded the usual easy satisfaction will again pass off into a deep sleep while Uncle Sam sets about (as he has stated he is going to) remedying this by enacting stringent measures against our shipping when the latter comes in contact with his axea—and by other means. The “Economist" states this amount only at 62 million dollars, however. Free traders are usually

good boosters for foreign trade and one often wonders why their whole energies are not directed in pushing British trade, for, would not a prosperous Britain mean a good practical example of the benefits to be gained from free trade? Nowadays, we do not want musty old Adam Smith isms of last century when practical proof is poohing us in the face in this year or grace 1927. Everyone who had the pleasure oi hearing Mr. Amery can but feel amused at “C.H.NVs” remarks as to the methods or ability of Britain s present Cabinet. As is usual assumes to himself a monopoly ox knowledge. His many references to the freightage paid by America seem to breathe of the dying efforts of one for a cause that so needs justification in an age where practical proof of its folly is all around us, and in his enthusiasm to let the world know of thm fails to note the main claim made »>y the American President that high protection had brought prosperity w America. * . What a wonderful opportunity to our Empire to seek a like prosperu. with the weapon Mr. Amery .suggesf 6 " we should use—inter-Empire trading aided by high tariff walls against foreign invasion. jH B NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS Grey Cliffc.— The Ferry’ Compaq states that in no case on Saturday any vessel carry within 200 of number it is licensed to carry, race-boats were checked by Cusw officials, who confirm this statero and further state that they always _ the “nod” to the ferry officials the number on board is 200 to -o0 the licensed number, and the then leave, so that the vessels carry’ all they are entitled to “j# for offensive passengers, all travellers pass through a Jin police, and anyone likely to £y\ n ter* undue nuisance is removed as be the wharf. The apparent crc^ciu®tb* due to passengers refusing tc V cabin accommodation. and <*-•**- the deck space.—Ed. THE SUN-