Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 316, 29 March 1928, Page 10

Citizens Say—

(To the Editor.)

SATURDAY PARADES

Sir, — I noticed without much surprise a letter by “Trainee” in yesterday’s issue of The Sun. Surely it is about time that the youths of this city put forward a common protest against the practice of having to attend night and Saturday afternoon parades. Every worker, especially one who has to attend university lectures in the evening, values greatly his few spare hours, and it’is a wonder that the regulations have been so passively endured. The grievances of a few are, I know, absolutely ignored by the authorities, but if a general protest were made there is little doubt that better conditions would be forthcoming. ALSO A TRAINEE.

AN ATTACK ON RACING

Sir. — I have noticed various letters appearing in your columns, attacking the Gaming Act. The authors are abusing the righteous people who are responsible for its existence. They do not appear to realise that we are merely saving them from themselves. The race-goers #f the community are really adult children who have to be treated with wholesome discipline for their own good. If half the money spent on racing in New Zealand was devoted to foreign missions, the heathen would be uplifted and civilisation introduced to many idolators. The wage of the average working man would be more than sufficient for his needs if he did not waste his money on racing. It was pleasing to note that Messrs. Parry and Lee, local members, recognised this and voted against Sir George Hunter’s attempt to publish the dividends paid by the totalisator. It would be much better if the “Turf Register” and all racing news were suppressed in the papers, as the reports inflame the weakminded and cause them to neglect the duties which their employers pay them to undertake. Fortunately, Parliament has a strong leaven of righteous men, and if any alteration is made in the Gaming Act it will be in the direction of placing further restrictions on racing. CALVINIST.

THE GAMING ACT

Sir, — The various letters appearing in your columns drawing attention to the iniquitous Gaming Act show clearly how the wind blows. The smouldering indignation throughout the community will soon find vent, and politicians who talk glibly on the hustings about the freedom of the people, and vote against it in the House, will be brought to book. The sportsmen of New Zealand have been subjected to abuse for many years past by a narrow, intolerant section, and it is time a halt was called. Those who dash round calling the racing public sinners, and consigning them to perdition are bad enough, but the self-complacent Pharisees, supercilious sinners, unconscious of their own sins, are the greatest enemies of freedom, and the despair of the real Christians of the community. All must be measured by their narrow rule

and they would vindictively punish those holding different opinions to themselves. This jumble of French, German and Russian methods, which we call the Gaming Act, has failed to stifle the freedom burning in the hearts of a British community, and the sooner this blot on the Statute Book is removed, and an honest, fair reflection of English justice substituted, the better. ENGLAND EVERY TIME.

WHAT IS THE DISTANCE?

Sir, “Subscriber” in his list of distances between different points of interest in the harbour, omitted one which has always provided a subject for much discussion—the distance from tne Ferry Wharf to Devonport Wharf. Could anyone of your readers give the exact distance? DISCUSSION.

“WHAT WE HAVE—”

Sir.— Pity the Papakura Town Board! Hiding behind shelter and taking motorists’ numbers, its inspectors have caught hundreds of motorists this year, and have duly swelled their treasury from the money derived from prosecutions. The beard doesn't seem to realise that if the motorists are creating a danger the inspectors should stand out and check the speed. And now the board is crying bitterly because a Government servant, with a nice sense of duty, is asking for a perfectly legitimate payment for supplying the names to the list of numbers. "What we have we hold,” certainly must, be the board’s motto, with the addition “and as much more as possible.” E. REX.