Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 301, 12 March 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

EX-SERVICEMEN’S LEAGUE Sir, — After having read the notice which appeared in your columns re unemployed ex-service men, I made it my business to find out all I could regarding the objects of this body known as the N.Z.E.S.L. I was very much surprised to find that such an active body existed in Auckland, and I would like to congratulate all those connected with the league. I appeal to every business man, and to all Aucklanders to give this league every assistance, for its object is a worthy one, and if given a helping hand, I feel sure great things can be done in solving the unemployment which is in Auckland to-day. NON-FIGHTER. Richmond Hill. NINEPENCE FOR LEMONADE Sir, Through the medium of your columns I would esteem it a favour if you will announce my opinion regarding the most extortionate prices charged for soft drinks at the Pukekohe racecourse. I am a stranger in Auckland Province, and lately have spent several days attending the various country race meetings. I attended the Pukekohe races on Saturday and I left the course disgusted. I was like many others, very much in need of some refreshing drink, so I went to a tent, and called for one, when to my surprise and disgust I was charged 9d for an ordinary glass of lemonade such as is bought at any place in Auckland for 4d. Business places estimate that the price to the caterers at Pukekohe was only 2id a bottle. From my point of view (and I voice the opinion of a great many who discussed the matter in the train) it is grossly unfair treatment, to allow such charges to be forced upon the general public. DISGUSTED VISITOR. NEWMARKET POLITICS Sir,— Last week I read the question propounded: ’'ls not the rest shed in Outhwaite’s Park somewhat misplaced?’* As a very old ratepayer residing in that locality I emphatically say “Yes,” and endorse every word written. At the last election I received a circular in which certain candidates pledged themselves that, if elected, they would' erect an up-to-date fire station to replace the existing shed built 40 years ago, and also to provide the necessary appliances including an up-to-date fire engine for fire-fighting on modern lines. They would also supply a long-felt want by erecting a rest room for women and children within the vicinity of the shopping area and they contended that the latter would be selfsupporting, while the former would save ratepayers a considerable sum annually in insurance. The opposing ticket led us to believe that it would bo cheaper and more efficient to negotiate for the services of the City Brigade while the erection of a shelter shed would mean an increase in rates. Subsequent events have proved that the council as at present constituted is not a very progressive body and lacks initiative. Although a year in office what has it done to improve fire-fight-ine? The fire-fighting is still in the

hands of the local volunteer brigade, which is doing its best with obsolete appliances located in a building which is a disgrace to the borough, while the erection of a rest shed in a park which is seldom used by the public, says little for the business ability of our present administrators. Had they taken a leaf out of their opponents’ books and erected a rest room in Broadway, they would not only have earned the gratitude of tired mothers, but the building would have been self-supporting. Then what about the new traffic outlet? If the present members of the council do not get a move on, their term of office will expire while, in the meantime, values are going up, thus increasing the cost of a scheme which if put into operation would be the means of absorbing a great deal of surplus labour both skilled and unskilled, as buildings with modern architecture are bound to be erected on an area which is now vacant. PROGRESS. A PROBLEM Sir, I was amazed at the expressed opinion of a learned Judge during the hearing of a case against a sexual offender this week: “His Honour told prisoner that he was found guilty of one of the most incomprehensible types of offence it was possible to conceive. Persons of prisoner’s type were really not human beings.” Now, sir, here is a clear example of the Law’s ignorance of modern scientific research. Any authority versed in the studies of such men as Havelock Ellis and Professor Stanley Hall, could never give expression to such an utterance. It seems that the Law’s attitude in these matters is one of total misunderstanding. Surely, sir, it is time to alter the law to provide that these unfortunates shall be tried, or their cases reviewed, by an authority versed in modern psychological research. It is for society to make suitable provision for its own products. I sincerely hope sir the Howard League for Penal Reform will take the matter up.