Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 254, 17 January 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

SMOKING IN PICTURE SHOWS Sir, — It is not worth while taking the opinion of those old veterans who have become impregnated with tobacco. Surely, one luxury at a time is enough to satisfy the most fastidious, and although some men don’t think it’s necessary to consider the tastes of others, women and children are worth considering and anyone who has experienced the cloud of tobacco smoke that pervades the playhouses in *the Homeland must admit that keeping it out of picture shows is a very good thing, and right, despite all arguments to the contrary. By all means let the smoker have his smoke, but outside the picture shows. Just imagine people indulging in a cup of tea and a sandwich while enjoying the pictures. UP-TO-DATE. A FLIGHT FUND Sir, — Now that it is a practical certainty that the first attempt at a Tasman flight has ended in a tragic failure, the time is most opportune to consider the position. There are those among us who have always questioned the value of such attempts, and their resultant risks, but if those same people will look back they will see that but few great adventures have been undertaken in the history of our civilisation without an attendant loss’of life. No matter how much we deplore the loss of these two brave men, or how deeply we sympathise with their bereaved families, we can offer the sorrowing ones one crumb of comfort: The sacrifice was, in the opinion of the people of New Zealand, worth while. Mr. Coates, at the Imperial Conference, deplored the fact that New Zealand had no “air sense.” We know that the geographical features of our country do not make it easy for the encouragement of civil aviation, but has our Government done anything to really encourage aviation? The lukewarm support in the recent attempt —until it was too late—is an indication of how much help can be expected from that quarter, unless forced by popular opinion to give aid. Mr. Editor, in this country there is an even bigger power than that of the.

Government —namely, the power of the Press. These two men set out on a gallant adventure for the honour of their country, to place New Zealand first in the conquest of the last uncrossed aerial Empire link. Is it to be assumed that we New Zealanders are so engrossed with our butter cheques or daily money-grubbing that this sacrifice has no appeal to us? Are we going to see this conquest go to some Australian, English, or American cousin? We owe it to those two gallant men, to their widows, and to ourselves, to see that New Zealand is first. This country has been stirred to it:--depths as it has never been stirred since the war. We have the trained men and the money for another attempt, and the Press of the country has the power to see that our wishes are given effect to. If the leading New Zealand newspapers will organise a flight fund, you will give us our chance to show our admiration of two brave and gallant men. A portion of this fund could be used to see that the dependants of the missing men are cared for, the balance to go in the direction of prepaxing for another attempt immediately. We want a chance to give, and in some small way show our appreciation of a most gallant NEW ZEALAND FIRST. Fukehuia. THE TASMAN DISASTER Sir. — When Parliament was in session, the Leader of the Opposition referred to the Coates Government as inept. I did not take much notice of the statement at the time, looking upon it as a bit of political banter, but recent events in connnection with the aviation disaster has set me and hundreds of others thinking. Three idle warships were allowed to remain in the harbour until too late, when they might have been cruising round in the Tasman Sea at, say, a distance of 100 miles apart, ready to render any assistance. It is inexcusable. It is true that the Government was not responsible for the flight, but it would have Jumped at the chance to accept the glory for a (Continued in nwrt column.)

successful flight. For the sake of $ few tons of coal and a little activity, two precious lives might have been saved, and the search will cost three times as much in the long run. But there is not much need for me to point these things out. A good many oi us do not see eye to eye with Sir Joseph Ward, but I predict that had lie been in power things would hav« been different. DISGUSTED. THE NATIONAL ANTHEM Sir.— I A Sun correspondent declares that the playing of the National Anthem is accorded more "reverence” in this city than in Australia. If that is so, then “reverence” for the anthem has surely fallen to a low ebb in t-he Common* wealth. For, at places of amusement here—with perhaps one notable tion —the playing of “God Save King” receives scant attention, alone respect or “reverence.” But, any» way, is “God Save the King” a nauonsi anthem in the true sense, or only ® name? Does it thrill the Irish does ’The Wearing of the Can it stir the Scots like “Scots wm Mae”? And there are other too, under the British flag, which possess their own national hymns % however, “God Save the King” doesi receive the respect due to it, the iacj I think, can be largely charged up certain types of politicians. whose “L tics do untold mischief. I reier those who, especially at election tune* wrap themselves —so to speak -a Union Jack (now apparently * emblem). Is it not hi|rh time to W» mand a halt to an audacity which ara the Sovereign’s name in the mire politics. AN -THEM. PASSENGER TRANSPORT Once again there is a c hange in City Council’s bus services, for or for worse, and one much longer this “game of dmug is to continue? It. is 1- months the manager’s return from a tour, but there has been no noti improvement in the running o ye trams or buses; in fact, ma “ e J. . re £ gone from bad to worse, and ‘ co ort no denying the fact that the tra . problem is master of the Despite high salaried officials, unable to provide s f r Yi ceS f ravelling with the demands of the tra & public (demands which tn every sense entitled to), and o they have run their business m no t a deplorable state that the. see a way out of it. We ha \®_V n 0 l Tramways Committee, the which periodically bursts tor an announcement that this „ ce a service is to be discontinued . £ as the case may be. pro i > v > !' « and guided by the recommendations advice of the manager. One would the directors of any vate concern do with a na ?Yte of that was losing money at the . £. 62,000 a year? Certainly will have to be done in the » and I would suggest that tfc P of Councillor Murray be fO“° and an investigation be made ff to Tramways Department’s a *J' ascertain where and how losses occur. Surely, there £ who could run this business or. ' cessful basis, not necessany j profit, but to cover expense^^g^j