Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 359, 21 May 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

A VACANCY FILLED Sir, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that the board of management of the Technical College called for applications for the position of caretaker to the college and that 216 applied for the position and I learn by your paper that an ex-quartermaster-sergeant of the Imperial forces, is the lucky one. One would suppose that out of all those applicants there were no New Zealand returned soldiers able to undertake such a gigantic undertaking as caretaker of a school. DISGUSTED NEW ZEALANDER. APPLYING FOR A JOB Sir, I read in a column of Friday’s Sun a report of the appointment of a caretaker for the Seddon College. The article stated that an ex-imperial army man had been appointed. What of the ex-New Zealand army men, a number of whom, I understand, applied? I was one of the many who applied for this position, and was born in New Zealand. I also have a war record probably as good as this Imperial man. It is high time that those at the head of affairs gave some consideration to New Zealanders. DISGUSTED. A WEST OF ENGLAND SOCIETY Sir, We have in Christchurch, just 12 months old, a West of England Society, with over 150 members. This society is proving of great benefit, especially socially, to its members and associates. Our membership is composed of natives and descendants, and associates of the following West of England counties — Cornwall, Devonshire, Dorsetshire, Somersetshire and Gloucestershire. We have found out repeatedly that our society is filling a great gap between exiles in New Zealand and the Homeland. Therefore, sir, we ask you to be kind enough to publish this letter, so as to enable a similar organisation to be formed in Auckland. We would like to see a W'est of England person convening a meeting, say, at the Y.M.C.A., or some central place, so as to be able to obtain the feeling of the West Country folk in this matter. I may say we have some very prominent citizens members of this association. On behalf of the committee, W. T. CONIBEAR, Corresponding Secretary. LIFE AFTER DEATH Sir, —- Even though I heartily agree with the views of your correspondents on this matter, “X.” and Mr. Dowle appear to be the only ones who offend any conclusive proof. “X.’s” little titbit about human instinct was probably the result of deep thought, as it is certainly a piece of conclusive evidence that there is something more than sleep beyond the grave. If Sir Arthur Keith is to be believed, then man is merely a machine—a soulless engine—a thing that, as soon as it has lasted a certain time, goes completely out of existence. Such a conclusion is totally wrong, for who ever heard, what lunatic ever

dreamed, of a machine that could think as we do, lovo and display such emotions as we do, and also tell the difference between (as we do) right and wrong? Then, when one thinks about or discusses religious and spiritual matters, with a heart honestly yearning for truth, logical ideas flock into one’s head, ideas that previonsly one had never thought about. It is but the Almighty revealing truth to those honestly seeking it. Sir Arthur Keith took as example to support his argument a candle and its flame. He said that if the candle were extinguished—or burned right down to the end—the candle and flame would cease to exist. If Sir Arthur were not so forgetful, he would rememkef that nothing can be destroyed, not even by Are; it merely takes another form. I hop© that this controversy continues, for it is certainly more interesting than questions about the speed of trams and the Reform Government. WAIT AK lAN. THE MAORI AS A CITIZEN Sir,— Your sub-leader as above deserves approval in its well-expressed opinion that the Maori, being accorded the privileges of citizens, should accept the responsibilities, thereof. Implying that the Maori is not quite* conscious of his responsibility—your article declares “that he must be taught,” etc. In what direction in fact does the Maori require such teaching? His men and women folk fulfil their duties as citizens—each in his or her walk in life—quite as capably as do their fellow European countrymen. Special reference is stressed on the rating question—there again lack of practical knowledge is displayed. The responsibility for the payment of rates is not denied by the mass of Maori opinion. What the Maori does object to is that his tribal lands—held under the ancestral communal system—should be subject to the Rating Acts and the penal clauses thereof. For this Act — operating slowly but surely—spells confiscation pure and simple. There are no such land titles owned by Europeans—hence the comparison between the non-ratepaying Maori owner of lands, and the dutiful European ratepayer—does not apply in fact. These tribal areas, unoccupied and unproductive—are gradually being individualised —or brought into use by sale or lease—and hence their contribution to the rate revenues is being accordingly achieved. This process continues —and settlement on such lands goes on in pace with the demand —for the supply awaits on that. But to rate such lands before so dealt with—before revenue producing makes it possible to pay rates—is unjust. To apply the penal clauses of enforced sale, etc., is the actual result of applying the provisions of the Act—i.e., legalised confiscation. To the Maori this is unjust legislation—and a direct violation of the terms of the Treaty of Waitangi, which guaranteed the Maori the secure possession of his lands. That treaty thus becomes nearly the proverbial “scrap of paper.” Crown and other waste lands remain unrated until brought into use—so producing a taxable revenue. All the Maori asks is for similar treatment in respect of his communal lands—pending thier becoming similarly revenue producing. The application of oppres-

sive and confiscatory enactment in respect of such lands is what he protests against. That is the epitome of Jri© postition. Britons in a similar position would no doubt protest likewise—probably do more than protest. Such is the Maori point of view—and after all, how can we teach Kim otherwise? What would Britons do in similar circumstances, if such a condition affecting them could be conceived to exist? Your writer is in error In suggesting that the Maori has been or is pampered in our dealings with him. The history of this country does not disclose a specific instance of such. On the contrary—the ink was barely dry on the Treaty of Waitangi, when the Maori leaders in various districts found themselves on their defensive to hold the Government, to the bargain. The struggles—involving loss of life and all the sad results of w'arfare which ensued—beginning at Wairau and not ending till comparatively recent times —are all the story' of the Maori on the defence against aggressive Governmental methods. These led also to wholesale confiscation of the lands be unsuccessfully defended. The residue thereof the penal clauses of the Bating Acts are now acquiring. Such a story does not tell of pamper—and such is the school the Maori has been taught in hitherto. Can it be at all wondered at that the effect of this teaching has lert indelible marks on his mentality? GEO. GRAHAM. SENTENCE OF DEATH Sir, — M It has come as a great shock humane people in Auckland, that one more our city is to be degraded by tn perpetration of an act, the contempia* tion of which must cause many less nights to all but the most bruta*I refer to the death sentence on an obviously mentally cencien subject, by his fellow mortals. Let us realise the position clw)Every man and woman who s f n !':jL _ this act by word, thought or indiu ence is responsible to the highest oi judges, to the same extent as is executioner. _ a _, nn z If the latter were chosen from . e the people on the same lines as jury, one wonders how many suffer the supreme penalty. So long as we can find some .one , w do our dirty work, and that to J? - u * out of sight, we can bo wonderful cmplacent. _ . One shudders to think of the cur ising effect such things have ve j young people, those who ba\henbearibecome blase and inured to tn less indifference of this wo *j .v e the To punish one man jje whole community. It 13 nunisbtoo whether or not the ST 3 * 1 . atio ns ment falls on the innocent reia the condemned man. th® Cannot something b ® aV ert * name of common decency , m ity? terrible calamity to this ~°