Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 235, 23 December 1927, Page 8

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

BROADCASTING “CARMEN”

Sir, — The Auckland listeners-in are at it again! Now comes Joseph Wild with complaints about * “someone else” — whoever that may be!—who failed to extend the courtesy that was expected of him on the night of the broadcasting of Madame Irene Ainsley’s production of “Carmen.” He is not the only listener who was disappointed when “Carmen” was so rudely cut. I was more than disappointed. But then, who are we that we should criticise the organising staff at IYA? Were we not favoured with a broadcast of the “wool sale” scream? And only last night someone at IYA was attacked with another brain-wave, and as a result the little orphans’ eyelids were propped up at an unreasonable hour, while one side of a gramophone record was broadcast to them, and if the song of self-praise-about-it all had not been so long the kiddies might have ? eard the other side of the record. No! “fair doos,” Mr. Editor, I think your correspondent is rather critical, and inclined to rush into print. Far better that he should write to the general manager, upon whose shoulders the blame for all misdeeds is put, and he will be sure to get a very courteous reply with the usual advice to interview the director at IYA. TRANSFORMER.

THE REAL ENEMY

Sir, — “Poor Old Mars” “confesses” he is against “offensive,” but not against “defensive” wars, which are “just.” Now, if he will read history he will find that all wars are “defensive”— from the point of view of both combatants, and that all are “just”—until the truth leaks out afterwards. The big bullying nations seeking to make “an uncalled-for attack” on peaceful little us, exist to-day in the imagination of all peoples—and nowhere else. But the myth keeps alive the policy of “preparedness,” though all well-in-formed people know that “armaments so far from being any security against war, inevitably lead to it.” (Lord Grey ) The mutual fear, distrust and suspicion they engender leads to further competition in “defensive” preparations” all round, and finally to war. This is no theory, but proved fact. It is equally notorious that, with the increased destructiveness of modern war, another contest will mean the break-up of civilisation.

The patriots’ fight to-day is, therefore, not against supposed enemies in other lands, but against the system of competitive arming and mutual distrust, which, if allowed to continue, will end with the destruction of all worth fighting for. need be ashamed of immoderation in the defence of his country against that warlike policy which will mean her ruin. Both the “objector,” who has declared for complete disarmament as far as he is concerned, and the “moderate,” who shows the realities hid under the, catchphrases of the war-monger, are working against the false patriotism that refuses to exchange our present inse-

curity based on “preparedness” for the security of disarmament on account of the theoretical risk involved in the process of changing over. Since, if wars continue, we shall certainly perish, the real fight to-day is the— WAR AGAINST WAR.

SCHOOLS RISING IN GRADE

Sir, — The Managing Committee of the Auckland Branch of the N.Z.S.L would be glad if you would give them the opportunity of saying a word with respect to their attitude towards schools rising in grade. An impression appears to exist, even among teachers, that the committee is in favour of adall such schools indiscriminately, without consideration of the special circumstances attending each case. One would have thought it unlikely that a committee of experienced teachers would be credited with a policy which, to most of the profession, must appear injurious to the peace of mind and therefore, in the long run, to the efficiency—of all who teach in schools of rising grade. The actual policy of the committee may be summarised as follows. It has no other choice than to accept the provisions of the Act (Section 9, Edud^‘l OI L^ men v dn '\ Cnt Act - 1919 >- which J lth schools rising in grade and f on boards the power to transfer teachers under certain conditions. At bb f_ same time, the committee is of shoulfi n ho at the Provisions referred to be ?arried out by all boards in ifv ?« n!!!« n Ki Wlth as much uniformissued bv°tho b H e ' , The memorandum issued by the department to senior int Snitv r ? an a ? ecret aries affords opportunity for doing this, and suggests ue y -T° U&h - that e ach case Ihould be considered on its merits.

-j M. H. MOON, President Auckland Branch N.Z.E.L

TOO MANY STOPS?

Sir,— re Jeilta U and no doubt is EF y / »~ n o? r^ business tl/Jreare' back* of P f“i UC , t,on ’ or the P et “tall lowering wages al empl °yers - tlio 11 i? recognised, is out of Lie question; the first appears to be t?lt°on h?'t Un n er the present administo a ' b .S who wd! he stupid enough could not t u at - Production in mileage a v d not be increased 20 per cent, at ? onser vative estimate? ir, „ nk our railways are slow, hut thev “™ nS ° n . to the Auckland trams visualise tn not . SO ‘- t-et an V person of n'tl I '.?. sto „ ps ,n tbe sma ll length Street, with their cumber- + f ty ' zones - and watch the wav nther- 1 fawdle from one to the and he will cease to wonder y , there is any/ transport muddle, surely one stop. between Customs

Street and Wellesley Street should be ample. Personally I think, and I am s u there are thousands of my OP I ? 1 ??) that until Auckland sends its admin " trators back to their buying and ing and ceases to make the trainwaj department merely a clearing new arrivals, the muddle will beco accentuated. __ CHAS. BAILEY*

CANCER AND T.B.

An article having reference to -- proposals to the Auckland wosp Board appeared in THE SUN on nesday, December 21. The which the committee appointed with my proposals reflects our upon the board and the ™ staff, and shows that the wllol tion was gone into in an un spirit. The cause being of sucn&» B concern to sufferers it is ttriror that I am dependent upon those whom I have treated, but who have not r to the invitation to testify to tn t 0 fit received in time to be of * unthe committee. In the T <ee rtf’ til new data becomes available *■ way to further the position, compelled to retain my lor P* vno** Thanking you for roakl ”%, nit y or the discussion of the probable cure for these dreadful^duje^^j^ i