Citizens Say-—

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 413, 23 July 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say -—

(To the Editor.)

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS Sir, — Dr. Buxton in his letter quotes the number of pupils receiving instruction in the Catholic schools, but fails to state the percentage of those pupils who are members of the various Protestant sects, and who attend these schools principally for the education they receive in such subjects as music, painting and fancy-work, which are not taught in the State schools. One question that Dr. Buxton and others give a lot of time to is the conscience clause. This should be easily answered by Dr. Buxton himself explaining how it is overcome in his own Church schools during religious lessons. An answer to this question should be interesting. MELITA. AN ANGLER’S PLEA Sir,— If, as' “Fisherman” states, the quantity of fish in the Hauraki Gulf lias been depleted owing to crude oil killing the shellfish which is the natural food of the schnapper, then there is obviously a double reason why net fishing should be strictly prohibited. I have seen this autumn, through field glasses, two and three launches fishing with nets, for days in succession, in that part of the home waters from just above Rangitoto beacon. Surely, sir, it is time those two square miles —say inside Tiritiri—were preserved for the citizens of Auckland, who have just as much right to catch fish during the SLimmer season by the nimble hand line, and who for various reasons cannot venture far afield. I think all fair-minded and reasonable people will agree that this is a fair request to make to’ the powers that be. HAND LINE. “COLOSSAL IMPUDENCE” Sir,— Having been a reader of your paper for some time I have read all correspondence published by you. Some letters I have found very interesting and instructive, others the reverse, and many heart-breaking to read, but for colossal impudence I think the letter in your issue of July 19 signed Frank C. Reardon heads the list. This being a free country, surely people have the right to dispose of their wealth as they wish, without suggestions from outside sources. F. C. Reardon states “that we cannot over-estimate the good that would have accrued had Mr. Reade donated £1,000,000 toward the relief of unemployment. That may be so, but possibly the giver considers that the duty of the State. Why shift its responsibilities on to the shoulders of private individuals? Apparently F. C. Reardon overlooks the fact that this princely gift of £1,000,000 will educate and train orphan boys for many years to come, and will, at the same time, place them in ideal surroundings, while undergoing their training. A thousand pities that here in New Zealand we have not such a school where orphan boys of brave men could be trained and educated to serve their country. F. C. Reardon refers to the schemes for the outlawry of war, but while the dollar wields it mighty arm,

and incidentally men are what they are wars will continue. Therefore, why not be prepared at all times. Let us not forget the brave men and boys of our navy and mercantile marine, many of them products of Greenwich Naval School, who have given their lives, and will continue to do So that F. C. Reardon and his fellow-men may live in safety and comfort. EX-NAVAL MAN’S WIFE.

SUMMER TIME Sir, — In a recent issue of The Sun, you made some remarks to the effect that the farmers in New Zealand —that is, the majority of them—were apathetic in regard to, or were in favour of, the Summer Time Bill. Such is not the case at all. A plebiscite was taken recently over the whole of the North and South Islands, with the result that 93 per cent, of the replies were absolutely against the Bill, and little wonder, too. We farmers have been beating Sidey’s time by two hours for the past 40 years, and know the benefit —and, in farming, necessity—of early rising. The “cocky” does not wish to deprive his town cousin of an extra hour cf sport, but he does most emphatically object to being made to work an hour longer himself. Farmers’ hours are long enough as it is, from daylight to dark, but Sidey’s time makes him get up in the dark. “Summer time” has upset the farming community all over New Zealand. How would the town fplk like to be made to work on their half-holiday because the farmers wished to shop that day? FARMER. THE MILFORD CABARET Sir, — A meeting of the City Council Parks Committee was held, when it was decided not to instal filtration plants in the various city baths until after the end of the coming summer, in order to ensure all the baths remaining closed throughout the swimming season. Members of the committee voted unanimously in favour of this resolution upon the grounds that it was thejr duty to prevent swimming and suchlike immoral practices. For the same reason the committee • reaffirmed its previous refusal to allow new swirpming baths to be constructed at Point Chevalier by Dixieland, Ltd., but decided to recommend the construction and control of new baths there by the guardian of public morals—the City Council. Finally, the committee dealt with the recently reported utterances of Mr. J. Guiniven, of Takapuna, who has expressed his intention, if commissioned to reform humanity, of sweeping every cabaret “off the face of the earth.” The chairman having read the Press report of Mr. Guiniven’s speech before the Takapuna Borough Council, the committee rose as one man to its feet and sang, “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow,” followed by “Here We Go Gathering Nuts in May.” A hearty invitation was then extended to Mr. Guiniven to address the Parks Committee upon the suppression of cabarets. My name, Mr. Editor, is not “Argus,” but I think the above represents (Continued in next column^

a fairly accurate description of ftpublic’s conception of the next met. ing of the Auckland City Camd Parks Committee. Why is it, )L Editor, that so many of our public m: consider it their duty to decry ti. construction of cabarets, which in tL country are exceptionally well-run, uc which offer to our young people a opportunity of indulging in the hart less and healthy exercise of dancing Surely we are in danger of bet. known as a race of “kill-joys!” Ever one will admit the necessity for cab.

rets being properly conducted ai controlled, but I feel s»ure that Mr Guiniven, who doubtless peaks viz the best of motives, is needlesealarmed if he thinks a cabaret *' Milford would be “a source of 6enoß temptation to young people.” And J am quite positive that Mr. Guiniven badly at fault if he thinks that per cent, of the population” shares! beliefs and his opposition to the er straction of the Milford Cabaret Itus be more tolerant, Mr. Editor. NZealanders are pretty good sorts on whole. Surely the younger genera: can be trusted not to misbehave it--in a public cabaret! A TAKAPUNA FATHER MENTAL DEFECTIVES BILL Sir,— I have read the Hon. J. A. You:“startling’' figures as to the uxua: this country. I have been in Zealand, off* and on, for more than * years, and since I was ten I have hearing about the two imbeciles wbu* offspring, always ten in number, ** in Statu institutions. When I *** behind the scenes in the deparunt* dealing with imbeciles, I got to kno* everything startling there was know, and that case was never a**' tioned. One official simply laugt l when I asked him about them, and he had never beard of them-In experience, the feeble-minded mostly infertile, and of all the vu mixed cases that came under my a o *** not one had a feeble-minded The new Bill will simply result » rible expense to the country. away by compulsion children parents are willing to keep them their death, which usually takes P-*-comparatively early in life. SU--the expense of the new welfare for children—running into P* of pounds to .keep officials —» 5 enough at the present time. AGAINST FADDIS* ANOMALIES Sir.— __p Every thinking person must with Mr. Xorth when he punishment, for a man who, tdeceived a girl, leaves her to her own hand. No condermnati be sufficient for such a m * n * o hk: brute beast will care for the of his young until such time stinct tells him she is able to normal life. Some men b rins dren into the world and then ■ to work for them and feed * A what does society say about . drunkard in charge of a heavily fined and perhaps imp but what of a drunken beast of a wife and children? A . . punished if he neglects to 1 ffei animal. What if he neglects w- . his children? I make iq* 'Jthat physical pain would ®° -jt: these wastrels an immense am Jjj. good. Any man who refuses port his children should oe suffer. There is no excu^®_— - and no mercy should be sn I hope that others will take 7 question. Public opinion . bring about a better state o