Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 266, 31 January 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

AL FRESCO CABARET Sir,— I noticed an article in The Sun referring to Milford’s jazz board and Mr. L. Li. Speedy’s protest against tlie proposal to open on Saturday evening the dance floor in the open-air cabaret constructed by the Milford Progressive Association. Why should Mr. Speedy object to a little opposition? By Jill means let the new dance floor be open at night, giving citizens the pleasure of fresh-air dancing. NO MONOPOLY. CUSTOMS DUTIES Sir,— So often do we hear from farmer correspondents the suggestion that thfey have to submit to what is called “world parity” in selling their products that one may be pardoned at wondering if the proper interpretation is placed upon such phrase. We know, of course, its general meaning—but in the matter of, say, butter or cheese sales? World parity in these cases is really, or at least largely, a question of what Britain can afford to pay, and so it matters very much to us, as to her prosperity. The farmer when he buys his needs should remember this. Again he expresses, t>r some of them do, the opinion that he has had his cost of living increased by Customs tariffs and like trade barriers. But just as long as Governments need money to perform their services to the public, so ifiust they levy taxes; it matters not in just what way the needed revenue is obtained so long as it is fair in its incidence. If not obtained in one way it must be in another and Customs duties do not, cannot, increase of themselves the cost of living to either the fanner or city dweller. And shell method has the added advantage of aiding local and Empire industry which gives our men work and wages—and so the wheels go round. J.H.B. BUSES AND FEEDER SERVICES Sir, — The decision arrived at by the No. 1 Licensing Authority in declining to issue a licence for a private bus enterprise to operate in Mount Rosldll, via Dominion Road and Mount Eden Road to the city, was not unexpected. The application presented a brilliant opportunity for the Auckland City Council, which is the licensing authority, to abandon its costly and unprofitable bus experiments beyond Its present tram routes, and thus concentrate its energy and efforts to bring to a

greater degree of efficiency the buses and trams within its own area. The Motor Omnibus Act does not require the council to extend its operations to the outer areas beyond the tramway district. Transport last year showed a loss of approximately £ 50,000. Early this year the council curtailed certain bus services, thus saving £IO,OOO, but it is still faced with a yearly loss of approximately £40,000. Its whole policy in regard to transport has been so unwise that the city ratepayers—to whom alone it is responsible—-would have applauded the decision of the licensing authority to relinquish its unprofitable feeder services in the outer areas, and thus confine its activities solely to its own business, the operation of the tramways. The various local bodies, at a large representative meeting recently, signified to the council that they did not require or desire municipal buses, but the City Council continues to maintain an inadequate service at a huge loss. As it is now, the residents in the outer area will continue to suffer the inconvenience, and the city ratepayer will unfortunately continue to pay the heavy bill. L. A. TOZER. Mount Roskill. AGELESS BALLADS Sir,— — Wliile I agree up to a point with, your correspondent “Fed” that there is much sung to-day that is trite and oversentimental, I cannot help thinking he is rather sweeping in his assertions. Some of the old ballads—particularly the Scots ones—have a perennial appeal for me. “The Land o* the Leal ” for instance, and f “By Yon Bonnie Banks.” These never fail to stir me. Possibly it is because they are national and I am a Scot, but I should not like to see these ballads dropped from programmes because of their age. To me they are ageless. HAGGIS.