Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 310, 22 March 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

SPECIAL RELIEF

Sir, — I hope that you can find room to express my thanks to The Sun for giivng publicity to the generous offer of Mr. Hayward of a matinee at the Strand Theatre. This has been the means of providing a substantial nucleus for a fund to help certain distressed ex-soldiers, which is , being added to by donations. G. HUMPHREYS-DAVIES, Captain. Hon. Sec. for N.Z. for the British Legion.

THE VICE OF EUCHRE

Sir, — I appreciated your article on this question immensely. As the Romans used to say, you have touched the matter with the point of a needle. Our betting laws and the way tliey are administered are enough to make the public grind its teeth in impotent rage. I say “impotent,” because while everyone knows the position to be farcical, our legislators do nothing to alter the conditions. Would not all of the following questions, except No. 5, be answered in the affirmative by 90 per cent, of the citizens, male or feale, of any town above 1,000 population; and if so, does this not indicate that the time is more than ripe for a comprehensive review of this out-of-date legislation. 1. What is the name of the local bookmaker? 2. Is he prosperous? 3. Do they play cards for money at the club? 4. Do you know what a Tatt’s ticket is, and have you ever sent for one? 5. Did you ever win a prize in a “consultation” ? MONTE CARLO.

BAND AND ORCHESTRA

Sir, — I notice in The Sun of March 16 a report of there being discord in the ranks of the two bands in Rotorua. I would very much like to know where your correspondent got his information from. In the first place, the two bands as he calls them are a brass band and an orchestra, and with the exception of one man, who belongs to the orchestra and has recently joined Ihe band, there is no connection between the two organisations. There has been no clashing of engagements whatsoever, and there is perfect harmony between the two. I may say also, that so far the Rotorua Brass Band has had no communication from the Arawa Symphony Orchestra obout a round-table conference. In fact, there is no need for such a conference! as both organisations are always particular when arrangements are made for play-outs not to clash with one another. In regard to the man mentioned who plays with both band and orchestra, there is no trouble at all, as he is able to play with both, seeing they do not clash. J. T. DIXON. Sec. Rotorua Brass Band.

TOO MANY RESTRICTIONS

Sir, — I note that the school committees of Christchurch are desirous of having convictions registered against their members for carrying on progressive euchre tournaments, removed from the records. Their indignation is very natural, but their view is equally narrow. The whole Gaming Act requires revising to bring it into accord with British fair play and legal practice.

For instance, a recent prosecution appears to indicate that a sporting writer must not write on future events because it is tipping, and he must not write on past events, as the information may be used for wagering on horses. What there is left to comment on is a puzzle. As a matter of fact, it is doubtful if any statute under the British flag is treated with greater contempt. It is broken daily by thousands, and the few prosecutions are kept well away from the juries, who, experience teaches, wiil not do violence to their manhood by convicting under what they consider to be on unjust and tyrannical law. A man has no longer any right to do what he likes with his own time and money. The freedom of our fathers, the boast of the Britisher no longer exists. The Prussian slogan, “It is forbidden,” seems written everywhere. The Russian method of sending secret nolice to induce people to break the law, so that they can be prosecuted, disgusts the British conscience. Adopting the French method of putting the onus of proof on the accused, is utterly opposed to our sense of fair play. The real truth is, we are an oppressed people, frightened, sad faced, and docile, waiting patiently for some strong character to raise th© flag of freedom again. FREEDOM.

NO MORE VICES

Sir. —» I have noticed the two letters appearing in your columns anent the alleged unfairness of the Gaming Act. An objection is taken to the fact that it embodies the French legal principle of throwing the onus of proof on to the accused. As an independent Dominion, we are not bound in any way by English law, and if Continental methods enable us to enforce the wishes of Parliament, why not use them? As a matter of fact, the Gaming Act does not go far enough, and if people were gaoled for not observing it we would soon stamp out the evil. The sooner racing and the totalisator are wiped out the better. The evil of gambling is well recognised by all earliest reformers, and the only way to end it is by imprisoning anybody found gambling on horses, or with cards, dice, coins, or by any other method. The waste caused by gambling, drinking, and the filthy habit of smoking could easily be stamped out by stringent methods, and it is to be hoped this ideal will be kept well to the front during the forthcoming election. REFORMER.

RADIO BROADCAST PROGRAMMES

Sir,— Illness prevented my attendance at the radio listeners’ meeting on Monday. A great deal has been said by people in the Press columns and at public meetings, but has anyone really got anywhere? The Brodcasting Company can be blamed for a certain amount, but certainly not all. If some of the sane gentlemen who spoke (as reported in the Press) at the meeting were to sit down and think everything over, they would surely see that as far as artists are concerned, the company has drawn on all the available talent in Auckland. Is it not up to the artists to produce something better? lam firmly convinced that the majority of artists (not all), while giving their best as far as production is concerned, do not give the best of their talent. By that I mean they do not give what the public demands—variety. One gets tired of the time-worn gag, “by special request.” This is, in a number of cases, said because the artist has not displayed his talent by learning some-

thing new, and has to fall back on his or her old, and oft-repeated, number^. When an artist is paid by the public, it is up to the artist to produce t* goods. . In my opinion, though humble, j think the company, with Its smi| amount of material to draw on, afraid to rub the artists the wrow way. i The programme trouble raged London when 2LO opened. The trouble is raging now, in spite of uj* wealth of artists and funds avail*®* to the 8.8. C. In conclusion, I suggest that j stead of letting off a lot of hot ai* the Listeners’ League appoint a ***,_ resentative committee, who will liste--in and send regularly, either to w company or the artist, a construc»£ criticism, stating what is wrong wi the artist in the opinion of the or where an improvement is c o ßS *f‘ ered advisable. After all, the ers are the employers of the a 1 * 0 . not the company, and it is up t°J® listeners to get the job done, the w . they want it done. Thank you your courtesy. GBA yx*>*

CRUELTY

A case of cruelty was reported ! . Press recently, when a man was J • to have skinned a rabbit * u? , cases have been reported in in of men landing black marlin alt creatures have struggled for hours their lives. One is tempted ’o whether the main difference these cases is the fact that the ® struggles were permitted g . of sport. Although care is L is the necessary destruction of a “Ripper formed in a humane man *V ’ * can pears that so-called sportsm torture their victims as longto creatures have .sufficient sa w struggle. What sport it in- - a hook and line ®“ c ‘ thcr a*? throat, with someone at . th* 3 giving it a pull every th* And yet it is called sport to tb* sort of thing up for hour® v unfortunate creature is can? h * spatched. Very often y 1 ® ar <> si*" are nor suitable for food. aR r t; ply left to rot. And this js£2»*