Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 412, 21 July 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say—

(To the Editor.)

HUGH WALPOLE’S BIRTHPLACE Sir, — I noticed a photograph and a paragraph about Hugh Walpole in your last Friday’s edition. 1 understand that this famous writer was born in the old St. Mary’s vicarage, which (recently demolished) occupied a site in Parnell Road, on the south side of the cathedral. I think, considering Mr. Walpole’s standing as one of the foremost British novelists of to-day, that the fact should be recorded by tablet or otherwise on the spot. G.G.G.

NOBILE

Sir,— I resent “Roneo’s” cowardly attack on Nobile. It is evident he is one of the type referred to so trenchantly by our consul in Wellington. Hood and Moncrieff failed to bridge the Tasman. Hoes “Roneo” consider they were unsuited and ill-prepared? Nobile made a brave effort for his country- If he failed, it was a glorious failure. In Italy the efforts of the people are directed toward the good of their country. I do not wish to read any more displays of bad taste on the subject by your correspondent “Roneo.” ITALIA.

OUR JAPANESE GUESTS

Sir, — It seems very petty to welcome our Japanese naval guests without a supper. I therefore make the following suggestion: The number of guests being limited at any civic At Home, we find that certain prominent people are invariably among the chosen. Surely these people who have enjoyed being present at most, if not all, of the civic “At Homes” during the past decade will be willing, and even eager, to attend one to our Japanese friends, and pay say a guinea a head for their tickets. Having received hospitality at the expense of the city, I feel sure that they will be only too delighted to fall in with my suggestion. SUPPER.

TAXING N.Z. SHEEP

Sir,— I wish to draw your attention to the above article in The Sun of July 17, and pomt out several inaccuracies which, unless corrected, may lead to a general misunderstanding of the subject matter. The suggested tax was to be £2 a head on all stud sheep imported into Australia unless accompanied by the Breed Society’s export certificate of purity and standard type and tattooed by an inspector—as is done at present by the New Zealand Corriedale Sheep Society. If done by other breed societies of New Zealand, then I say there must be a laxity somewhere. I would further point out that I was only referring to British breeds. I am not conversant with Australian

breed societies, and therefore do not know whether they insist upon their export sheep being inspected and tattooed before an export certificate is granted. With reference to the paragraph referring to the show sheep, I am made to say, “A large proportion sent over to the show should never have gone,” whereas what I did say was, that, “some of the sale studs sent over, should not have gone,” and would not have had they been subjected to as rigorous an inspection as the New Zealand Corriedales have to undergo. H. T. LITTLE.

THE PROGRAMME GLUTTON

Sir,— When replying- to “Crystal Set,” J. P. Carlesen claims to have discovered a Dickens character. Well, I claim to have found one in J. R. Carlsen, who has probably only had his crystal set a few weeks and has not had time to get tired of music, but there are people who have had their sets for years and have had their “barrel of honey” long ago, and would welcome some sort of change. X think it would do J. R. Carlsen a vast amount of good if he listened to some of those lectures which are being sent out from IYA from time to time • he would get all the study he wants, including gardening hints. J. R. Carlsen seems to be a bit of a humorist himself, judging by his letter, and would be appreciated by listeners-in if he would only consent to give an item from IYA. I for one would welcome his effort. M.U.G.

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Sir, — According to Canon James, 80 per cent of the people demands religious instruction. It is also stated that there are more buildings in New Zealand devoted to religion than to education. Why, then, this vain endeavour to undermine the splendid educational system as it exists, which now teaches the young to think, so that as the problems of life arise they may be able to use their brains to understand them ' This, to me, seems to be the main object in going to school. And if the 80 per cent, is really desirous of having religious instruction, it will see that the children attend the buildings that are dedicated to the cause of religion, instead of expecting the Government to round them up for it. By its very actions it admits its failure to gather unto itself in its own buildings these children. Why is this? If 80 per cent, of the population is in favour of Biblereading, surely the parents would be just as keen to see that the children attended the church or the Sunday school. Therefore it seems unfair that a rival speaker should butt into a, crowded meeting convened by another faction and thus use their organisation free of cost to themselves. RATIOXAL.