Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 319, 2 April 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

WOMEN DOCTORS

Sir, — I commend The Sun on its recent article “Women in Medicine.” Do you think it probable that an unnoticed phase of this question is the purely person?-! or financial one? One doctor openly .states that “the views given in London for banning the women do not constitute the real reason at all.” I observed that another doctor expressed herself in these very words: “Women doctors are bringing stronger and stronger competition into the medical field?” What else can one infer but that existing doctors resent further competition of any sort whatsoever, going so far even as to bar qualified physicians on the poor pretext that they are merely women? STIGGTNS.

BROADCASTING RACE MEETINGS

Sir,— Quite rightly, our clergymen have been very emphatic in condemning tinhare racing, but why, why no word of protest from them about an equally dangerous vogue, and that is the practice of broadcasting race meetings? No thinking person can possibly doubt that the relaying of race meetings aids the growth of excessive gambling—gambling that lacks even the doubtful virtue of providing revenue for' the Government of this Dominion. So why this silence? Does the circumstance that some of our pastors are “Radio Uncles” prevent them from denouncing this national evil? ANTI-HUMBUG.

RELIGION ON THE AIR

Sir.— The League of Nations, which is composed of peoples professing the most diverse, antagonistic, and jealous religious beliefs, wisely claims neither religion nor religious creed. Despite the significant import of this fact, the Rev. A.. Thornhill in his wireless talk on “The Aim of the League” last Tuesday evening had the temerity to claim that the League is simply a mouthpiece for his special form of religion. When an ordinary sermon is being broadcast, if one does not choose to listen one just switches off. But we are all vitally interested in the aims of the League of Nations, and when a clergyman retails his theology sandwiched into a lecture upon that subject he is certainly taking an unwarrantable liberty with listeners-in. J. SIM. Takapuna.

MUNICIPAL CONCERTS

Sir, — For the past month I have attended the concerts and organ recitals given itt the big town hall to exceedingly meagre audiences. On one occasion I counted not more than 80 solemn-faced souls, who sat out the recital to the oitter end. No trace of enjoyment could be seen on their countenances: the immensity of the empty auditorium seemed to freeze them. Just imagine. 60 persons in the upper circle and the balance, about 20, scattered over the whole lower part of the hall. What an atmosphere' t suppose Mr. Maughan Barnett is used to this kind of reception by now, but consider the poor vocalist who has to try, and try hard,

to instil enthusiasm into his, or her art. Without atmosphere, there is no chance. I, among others, think it is time these “concerts” were relegated to limbo. The writing is on the wall. It is evident that Auckland citizens do not want them, and would be glad to see them decently buried. The City Council is in trouble all round, with its water supply, inadequate transport, and condemned public baths. It seems that the name “City Council Recital” is sufficient for most people to remain away. The only concerts that attracted crowded audiences were those given at a city theatre some time ago, and they were arbitrarily closed by the City Fathers. I understand that another projected series of concerts of a very popular and edifying character was proposed to have been given this season, but they too, for the time being at any rate, have been vetoed. The people of Auckland allow themselves to be checked like school children. Why? I thought that the council represented the people but on the face of it. this does not seem to be so. It has recently been announced in the Press that the season suburban library lecture courses, run under the municipal direction, will not be carried on this year, on account of the want of sufficient attendance. Yet another evioence of inefficiency of the municipal authorities to give the public what it wants. Let the Town. Hall organ recitals and concerts also come to an end. At present they are a sheer waste of public money. E.B.

TOO MUCH HOMEWORK?

f^ir, — With great satisfaction I read “D.A.D.’s” letter in The Sun, which entirely voices my own opinion. I also, have a boy of 13 years who came home with, the same list of homework, and as I learnt all those subjects many years ago, is it any wonder that I spend most of my evenings helping him out? He was dux of the primary school he attended and found learning no trouble, but nowadays his brain, seems to be in a constant turmoil because he has no rest from lessons, from school time in the morning till at least 9.30 every night. Now, to my mind, a boy of 13 needs 10 hours’ sleep every night, but I am quite sure no Third Form boy has been able to get that amount this year if he has done his homework properly. It is quite time principals of secondary schools realised that each master gives a “dose” of homework, forgetting that each day five subjects are taught. Q.E.D.

“BILLY” HUGHES

Sir, — Your leader in Friday’s Issue on W. M. Hughes fits him as a glove fits a hand. This atomic nonentity was an aspirant to Mussolinian heights before Mussolini’s name was known outside Italy. He has had the Italian’s ambition, but never his ability. And now he is in the discard: indeed, one wonders why the vapourings of this frothy windbag are receiving the publicity they are doing. It is a pity, because responsible Italians and Americans in their own countries will not know what a “fade out” this Australian Big Bill Thompson really is and may attach too much importance to his mouthings. lou report the Italian Consul-Gen-eral in Melbourne as supplying a perfect miniature pen picture of this frag-

ment in suramins him up as childishdiscourteous and vulgar, and listw* him among the limited number of Australians who talked with the Httj® knowledge tha T . is dangerous. Vaie Hughes! „ CHAS. BAILEY. Devonport.

NO GROUND FOR HOCKEY

As a keen follower of sport, I like to express an opinion on leasing: of the Remuera hockey to the Auckland Girls’ Athletic Asboj “ ation. This is undoubtedly a movement, and all good luck to _ A.G.A.A. in the enterprise it haia But as far as the Auckland Association is concerned, it seems have had a ‘raw deal” in not hems alloaped to submit a fresh offer - the*r>riginal tenders were all tur fi down. It is common business to call fresh tenders under such cumstances, and in any case, as present tenants of the grouna, hockey authorities surely might been given an equal opportunityhave spent a lot of money on ground, and it seems a little u i. that the Dilworth Trust Board * have gone over their heads and f X Lj t u a more or less private agreement the A-G.A.A. I feel sure that naa_ Dilworth Trust Board put the position before the Hockey Associ it would have made a big effort to an offer equally as good, if no * than the other. SPORT.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS

G.H.G. (Mount Eden).— Sorry -Tg letter was crowded out on *- a * " —Ed. The Sun,