Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 307, 19 March 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

AN UNWILLING DANCER

Sir, — i noticed tbe other day a letter protesting against the lack of control of me rootways over Grafton -Bridge. 1 wish to add my protest. I '.ive i± Grafton Koad and have to cross the Dridge to make my purchases. lieturning home laden with parcels and walking on my right side, 1 am invariably subjected to bumps and “cannons” from all manner of pedestrians who blithely cross the bridge on their wrong side, apparently Irom choice, and force a law-abiding woman to take part in some kind of a Spanish fandango before sne can pass them. I am heartily sick of it all. Why are our councillors so lethargic over these things. The Sun seems to have made them jump around a bit since it came into being. Perhaps the paper will use its persuasive power on my behalf in this question. SHOPPER.

FERDINAND Sir, — Your correspondent, “Remember the Slain,” seems to gloat over the fact that the Brazilian Government refused the ex-Tsar of Bulgaria permission to land in Rio. I am not an admirer of Ferdinand; in fact, he would be a very difficult subject for admiration, but I think this post-war hostility can be carried too far. At .ne ti ie there were cries of “Hang the Kaiser!” Bo we hear them now? No, because the futility of such slogans was very quickly realised. And as we are not going to hang Ferdinand, we must give the foxy old gentleman permission to live somewhere. If he chooses to travel as a private citizen of the world who is to say him nay? Possibly the Brizilian Government, recalling its brief flutter as an Empire under the two Pedros of Portugal, intends to take no risks with throneless kings who may still cherish dreams of tsardom. Otherwise I can see no reason for its action. SCEPTRE.

A NEW MUNICIPAL TERROR Sir, It has been reported, that the Auckland delegates to the Nelson conference of the Municipal Association of New Zealand practically conquered the assembly. They succeeded in having every one of their proposals adopted by the conference. No other delegation secured such a complete triumph. No one would begrudge this honour to our municipal envoys. It is a strange delight to see Auckland councillors praised for their work and wisdom. Perhaps it is another proof that municipal sages, like prophets, have honour in every countrv or community except their own. But there is one of the triumphant Auckland proposals that calls for consideration by the ratepayers. This is the scheme for councillors holding office for four years, with only half of their number contesting their places at the municipal elections every two years. The idea would be a good one If the ratepayers could depend on competent administration. As things municipal are in Auckland City, to-day, the rate-

payers have had more than ample proof that four weeks should be the maximum term of office for some councillors. There are far two many veterans on the council now. Everything possible should be done to prevent them from digging more deeply into their entrenchments. In my opinion, the ratepayers should drive them out at the next election, and replace them with more vigorous men, with vision, courage, and consistent ability to make progress. RATEPAYER.

THE SUPER-MODERN CHILD Sir. We hear a lot of talk of what the next generation is going to be like, and in this connection I have just heard of a child that does things that are really worth mention. I first noticed him because he was going in a sailing race, with a prospective prize of 10s. “What are you going to do with it?” I heard him asked. Why, buy ice cream, of course,” was the reply. I was intrigued by the thought of ten shillings’ worth of ice eream, meaning about a gallon, and made further inquiries. I found that the same lad’s programme every Friday evening was: (1) Early tea in town, followed by an early picture show with his mother, plus chocolates* W ice creams and soft drinks; (3) another picture show, also with chocolates; (4) another supply of ice cream and dnnkfs—always a Shilling ice cream what is more. At a recent picnic h© did not like tea, or milk, or water, but would have had a little cocoa had there been any cocoa. There wasn’t, so he and his mother walked three-quarters of a mile, where the lad was satisfied with two shillings’ worth of lemonade. Bo you know of anything better—l mean worse? E. REX.

MANNERS IN TRAM-CARS Sir, — Has the day of the good-mannered schoolboy gone for ever? Frequently I have ridden in tramcars where secondary schoolboys have stuck to their seats while women passengers clung to straps and rails. The youthful arrogance of these boys has been almost horrible. Are they never told that even if some women loudly demand and accept equality, there are others (the majority, I think) who are still pleased to see a youth or a boy with good manners? WORKING WOMAN. IChyber Pass.

"THAT INVERCARGILL BRUTE” Sir, — There must be a nice lot of savages down at Invercargill, when there can be found a correspondent to write in d i? fence of the J u « tic es who allowed the brute who skinned a rabbit alive to escape with a fine of £5. “Lex” says that to read the criticisms of the case one would think that Southland contained nothing but barbarians Lex’s” letter will scarcely dispel anv such impression. It contains not one word expressing disgust, or even dis-

approval, of the dreadful act. no business to criticise the 2 —w fV says “Lex.” Oh, haven’t we. * ge<i could sentence one man to De ? er for stealing a carrot, or ve * Joskin - a pound out of the poor-box » we ning a live rabbit, I suppose., ought to admire their wisdom lt justice! Perhaps “ÜbC doesn’t hurt a rabbit to skin * who I think he is one of those men would squeal for help if he finger, an inch of skin from his Uttle ™ Such men art; j f t the kind anino feeling for the suffering mals - aucklandeß-

BRIGHT TIMES AHEAD I agree with your corr ®2?t<>d an “Activity.” It is time we J^, and tc Anti-Gloom Society in J l ?* jmsn I 5 counter those whose ow-lishpe gTef i. a hindrance to trade ana _ enn y » Every time butter slumps» ” <jiy; pound, or the rain takes a K i o oin>' holiday, there is a wail £ror ” - e jther to ones. They ought to be made pr stop their whining andi S (je rtak‘‘ r seek the services of the tb»» New Zealand has obtained mo ypar £5,000,000 more for her wo "' the butter yield lias .ince t”* and the prices better tha - oTCf . boom, and exports have at abo m taken imports. A lot to pes* - New Zealand is no place tor mists ’_ GIVE qys* ue# o** 0 **