Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 385, 20 June 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say

DALMATIA Sir, — In a report in an Auckland newspaper I notice that “a number of Dalmatians and one European” were charged with being found in a gamipg house. I would like to know the reason for this discrimination. Surely the reporter’s knowledge of geography is rather rudimentary? Dalmatia is a province of Yugoslavia, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, in the southern part of Europe. Surely, then, Dalmatians are Europeans? CATTARO. THE GAMBLING ELEMENT 4 r ._ According to your paper, a number of Dalmatians were prosecuted and fined heavily for gambling. This is as it should be, because they were breaking the law, and the magistrate had to do his duty. But why should one section of the community be prosecuted for gambling, and others go free? About four months ago the Supreme Court gave a ruling that any place where a euchre tournament i§ carried on is a gaming house within the meaning of the Act, and yet euchre tournaments are carried on in the city every night in the week, to say nothing of the gambling that still goes on there. Yet the police wink an eye. As Dalmatians have been fined for being found in a gaming house, why is it, I ask, that Europeans are not fined for breaking the law every night in the week? Europeans congregate in gaming houses night after night, and no action is taken, but if Dalmatians or Chinese assemble for the same purpose they are heavily fined. Is that justice? BEN BAIL, THE RECOVERY Sir, It seems to me that the glowing accounts of Britain’s industrial and trade recovery broadcast so frequently by returning travellers and visitors from overseas require a deal more explanation than their optimistic disseminators seem able to furnish. Scarcely a passenger ship arrives in New Zealand without disgorging some booster of the Old Land’s wonderful recovery in trade and industry. And, very clearly, if we were to base our ideas of the state of things in Britain to-day solely on the innumerable rosy pictures painted by returning travellers and others during the last 10 years, we would long ago have concluded that Britain had not only recovered her pre-war position, but had also far outstripped her neighbours in every department of human activity worth while. B.B. THE NUDE IN ART Sir, — I have been interested in the discussion which has been going on in your correspondence columns on the subject of the nude in art. Periodically this question comes up for review.

(To the Editor.)

It is ridiculous to claim that Auckland is the only city to suffer from the “draping” complex. London itself, the home of every cult and crank,\ has an argument every so often on thig subject of the nude in art and even Paris faces 'such questions occasionally, although they are more frequently propounded on the subject of the nudes at the Folies Bergere. Why, there was a raging controversy over the nudes of Epstein which decorate the building destined to be the home of the High Commissioner for New Zealand in London! Usually the votaries of the nude in art have the victory—and rightly so, for aesthetically there is nothing more glorious than the representation of the perfect human figure. The addition of drapes sometimes makes indecent a figure that in the nude would satisfy all the proprieties. Of course, it is all a question of personal taste. I, for one, would not have a draped statue or statuette in my home. GRINGO. LOCAL RELIEF WORKS Sir, % I would like to know how it is that some men can be kept on local relief works for ten and twelve weeks at a time, while others are waiting for their turn of two weeks? Why not let us all have our turn? WAITING. IN CAMERA Sir. — Are we being ruled by a Cabal or a Council? Last evening Cr. J. A C Allum said that the rules of debate would have to be observed in open council and “that would restrict discussion.” only one speech being allowed each councillor in the debate on the estimates. Cr. Allum had his tv ay and the public was ordered to leave the gallery. Surely, sir, when a discussion of such vital importance to • e uf at ? payers is in Progress it is not j that tlie Proceedings should be held in camera. I don’t know of any other city that takes municipal politics so lightly as Auckland. It seems to me that the City Council is to have its own sweet way in all things, and to be above criticism. Let us hope that there will be some kind of awakening before the next municipal elections are upon us. If not, I tremble to think what may be forced on the community. WIND UP. A GAME—OR NOT? Sir,— As a keen Rugby supporter, and an old Rugby player, it distresses me to read that a controversy is raging in South Africa regarding “this brutal I same of Rugby.” The cabled messages recently gave a list of the New Zealanders who were out of action and now I read in The Sun of one South African player with a broken collarbone, another with contusions on the side and hemorrhage, another with

concussion. These casualties may b« due to the bard playing-fields of Sou * Africa or to over-anxiety to win ga® in the interests of the two countriesThe question naturally arises: is worth while playing these intern * tional games if they are going to duce nothing but bad feeling, i rather diffident about expressing sues ft sentiment in a land where Rugo. football is almost a religion, but l that the game should be a game, not a gruelling business calling intense national feelings. I w 01 *” 1 to hear the opinions of other footba on the subject. „ . x r* EX-HAL*-

COURTESY AND KINDNESS

Sl May I through your valuable colunjjj* express to the Patriotic Society my cere and heartfelt thanks for the ness and civility it shows to us u. tunates, who seek its assistance, one of Auckland’s unemployed 1 have walked many miles, ana viewed many people, but J am so . say in nearly every case have _ * treated uncivilly, being regard . “not wanted.” Decent, respectaD , every inch a trier, like a lot of m. rades are, I have come to or jc when I am almost afraid to lmo st or assistance for fear or me certain coldness awaiting my tion. Being advised to try the otic Society, I did, and came a ' pleased and happy with the K and civility that prevails In partment that I feel, were I P° ceive one penny assistance, I na treal more than repaid by those w men as men. and respect ~T" sl rf[crnot onlv suffered once, but are ir.g again. graTITTPE-

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS J.M.D.—You have left your P«**f late. A year has elapsed > statement was made. —Ed,