Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 252, 14 January 1928, Page 6

Citizens Say—

(To the Editor.)

THE N.Z. STATION Sir, — ■With, reference to Mr. Reardon’s article, it is to be regretted that the article signed “Veronica” ever came to light in your columns. It was- purely a oneman opinion and in no way represents the opinion of the ship’s company of H.M.S. Veronica. “Diggers” or “Homies,” no one cares to see good men go under, and had it been our lot to go in search of the missing airmen I don’t think anyone would have complained or have asked for extra money for the job, as “Veronica” seems to suggest. l ANOTHER VERONICA.. SWANS IN FLIGHT S&r, — Some years ago when in the Wellington! district one evening my children called me to see an airplane. Going outside (although I was deceived at first), 1/ found the “airplane” to be a number of swans flying across the sky. I presume it would be possible for the 50 persons as stated in THE SUN to have made the same mistake. While I think: it the right thing to have searefi parties in the districts. where the airplane was said to have been seen, I also think there would be no harm if other parties were made up to search anywhere from the North Cape to the Bluff. Te Kuti. KIA ORA THE .NATIONAL ANTHEM Sir. — I read wibh interest “Englishman’s” observations that In this country the playing of the National Anthem at the close of a theatre performance is regarded w'ith greater reverence than in Sydney. I would go further and add any other- Australian city and a number in the United Kingdom. While it will be genera Sly acknowledged that New Zealanders as a whole respect the playing of the anthem, observation and reflection sijow that there are degrees of such respect. The psychological effect of various classes of picture plays on the attitude of an audience toward “The King” is an interesting study to students of the workings of the crowd-mind. Further, the class (ugly word in this country) or sections of society of which an audience is made up respond in many ways to the playing of the National Anthem. Everybody has noted the influence of an amusing ending to a movie show. The first bar of “God Save the King” strikes up and, still convulsed with laughter, the audience reaches for its hat and begins to make for the door, quite forgetful that the performance does not conclude until the anthem has been played. Again, the effect of tense drama, a sad ending, or, most marked, a story with a theme g£ religious foundation,, fre-

quently subdues an audience and no one presumes 'to stir until the last note has ceased to echo throughout the house. In my -view, the almost proverbial reverence of New Zealanders for the National Anthem is the fruit of the example of the Press, of teaching in the schools, coupled with a vivid realisation of our isolation and dependence on the Motlner Country, despite what some of the least thoughtful among us would tell the world. WATIHANA. “DEFENSE DE FUMER” Sir. I am sure we should all pity poor dear “Mr. Baldwin.” Just think of the awful agony he must endure having to sit unsoothed in a picture theatre. I respectfully suggest that the proprietors provide soothing syrup or a “comforter” for such as he, and then instead of annoying people with the fumes from his probably foul pipe he would cause amusement and thus contribute to the entertainment. He evidently has no consideration for the little children and women who patronise our well-conducted picture theatres The attendant who so quickly detected “Mr. Baldwin” smoking deserves praise for studying .her employer’s in- - If such a disgusting habit as smoking in picture theatres were allowed there would soon be a decrease m the number of people who enjoy each week an hour or two at the pictures. I, for one, will go “tarpaulin muster” toward providing “Mr. Baldwin” with a bottle of soothing syrup when next he condescends to honour a picture theatre with his presence. SON OP THE SEA SMOKING IN THEATRES Sir,— As a regular patron of Auckland’s picture theatres I wish to endorse the remarks of “Anti-Baeca.” Because one man has an intemperate desire to pollute the air of a theatre tor his own comfort, must the rest of the picture-going community suffer? To my mind nothing could be worse than going from pure air into an atmosphere reeking of tobacco smoke. Surely our extensively-traveiled” >Mr. Baldwin” must know the uses of the intervals provided at amusement houses. If “Mr. Baldwin’s” project were carried out, think what it would mean to the majority of us. Thinking to enjoy a few hours recreation at a nearby s f lQ^v, _ pay our admission and are shown to a seat. The next thing we know, a smoke-screen has almost obscured our line of vision and this promptly turns our thoughts to smokeladen tram cars. This alone is enough to spoil anyone’s evening. Perhaps “Mr. Baldwin” has not stopped to consider that "one man’s meat is another man’s poison.” L 1 -wJQtBE Am,