Citizens Say-

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 424, 4 August 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say-

PROGRAMME GLUTTONS

Sir, — It is gratifying to note that Mr. J. RCarlsen has decided to close this correspondence. He, with characteristic egotism, omitted to say “as far as I am concerned.” As a matter of fact he should never have entered it, as he has not yet learned first principles —he has succeeded in losing his temper, being mildly abusive, and making himself ridiculous. Courtesy is not expensive, but very valuable. “J.R.C.” reminds m© of the Chinese who, having thrown his last perfume pot. scuttles to shelter. “M.U.G.’s” misquotation of Burns is very appropriate. I have found in Mr. Carlsen’s letters no reason to change my views shared by, I think, 75 per cent, of listeners, that IYA artists (especially vocal) being ever so excellent, are heard far too frequently for their own fame or listeners’ pleasure. CRYSTAL SET. DAYLIGHT SAVING Sir, I wish to express my opinion on this daylight saving racket. Daylight saving has not worked as. well as the people who are agitating for it claim. I wish the people who desire it, and those who have so much to say trying to get it again, would mind their own business. If they want to get up an hour earlier in the morning, well, let them. But do not let them force this early hour on to those who don’t want it—and I am one of the thousands who do not. I wonder that employers, who are paying men, put up with it last year, because men -who were late to work would steal in the back way—or any way they could manage best, where if the proper time was kept they would not be late (myself included). Hotels and boardinghouses could not get their servants to get up so early in the morning to get people their breakfast. I had experience of all this. It is only townspeople and members of Parliament who go bowling and skittling and cricketing, who want this early hour. "Why not take a vote all over the whole of New Zealand and see if the people are in favour of daylight saving. If this hour is put on to us, I, for one, will not go by it. I will still work by the old original time. OLD TIMER. ON CABARETS Sir, — Congratulations to Mr. J. A. Lee, M.P. (Auckland East) on his scathing indictment of those who, in their priceless egotism, feel that they are vested with some special judicial powers which must be exercised over those of their less-enlightened brothers who have the effrontery to admit enjoyment in such a healthy pastime as dancing. These jaundiced critics should endeavour to advance the economic welfare of the city, and leave the moral welfare of its citizens to guardians of law and order, who can be relied upon to give fair and impartial service to the community as a whole and not to any particular minority. One is led to wonder how prominent citizens feel when they read of a place of amusement they frequent hysterically called “a sink of iniquity.” Purely

(To the Editor.)

such extravagant terms pass beyond the bounds of fair comment?. But carping critics seldom wish to find evidence for the defence, and will not take the opportunity of visiting a cabaret to satisfy themselves that their statements have no justification in point of fact. Verily, none is so hard to teach as he who has no desire for knowledge. Surely, in the face of our flaunted democracy we would be no less than emulating Soviet Russia if we grant any local government the power to control the amusements of the people. To those of us who are frequent patrons of the cabaret, the attempt of humbugs to say that we are in need of control —their control —is nothing short of an impertinence, and we strongly resent the naive vanity tbey display in assuming that, with their narrow and unworldly outlook, they are the ones who should be empowered to sit in judgment of the morals of their brothers. AN AVERAGE MAN. HARBOUR BRIDGE Sl l* think that “N. Sh. Ore” is a little too cocksure when he advances his opinion against the thousands who have signed a petition in favour of the bridge. Even our city engineer (in last night’s Sun) mentioned when the proposed w r aterfront road to the western suburbs was brought up, that the proposed bridge might have a bearing on the proposed road, so that there are even some in authority who have what “N. Sh. Ore” calls “cranky ideas.” However, one of the first things necessary when answering a letter is to stick to facts and not misquote your opponent. I never stated that the Southern Cross was the biggest airship in the world, or even implied that it was. I have seen lots of pictures in The Sun of some of the biggest airships. I have also visited many other countries (about 70,000 miles of travel in all), so that even though I am a native of this fair country, I still have had opportunities of seeing and hearing other views. Can “N. Sh. Ore” tell me what would be the cost and running expenses and the cost of take-off and landing grounds for an air fleet big enough to carry the population to Takapuna, which objective was the start of the argument? I will be less dubious when they have flown a few times. If we have landing grounds, how is it that it was stated in the dailypapers that there was no suitable landing ground for the Southern Cross in Auckland? “Please explain.” I can also assure “N. Sh. Ore” that I atn a •worshipper of The Sun, and as one disappears over the western rim I have another put over the fence. GRAND SLAM. THOSE STEPS! Sir.— The second occasion has arisen when the Auckland City Council has rejected the public demand to link up Waitemata and Harbour Streets with Beaumont Street, thus providing the much sought-for and required outlet to carry vehicular traffic from the north-western area of Ponsonby to the city. At present and during the past 20 years the only available means of a short route to the city is by a steep and most dangerous pedestrian ladderway, 6ft in width, which, during the (Continued in next column.)

winter months, is practically impossible to negotiate without the grave risk of life or loss of limb. The 2,000 signatories, who continually use it when available, demanded its demolition by petitioning the City Council last month. They pleaded that a safe roadway should replace it. This particular spot is the only missing link in the outlet for the whole of the northern area of Ponsonby and it is hard to understand why the City Council has failed to give entire satisfaction to the 2,000 ratepayers and residents of north-western Ponsonby, who pleaded for the immediate construction of a roadway suitable for carrying wheel traffic via Waitemata and Harbour Streets to the city, ttie cost of which reaches figures approaching £II,OOO, the total length of roading 1,020 ft, and excavation 28,183 cubic yards. There certainly would be a disturbance of property, but surely our council could demand that the Gas Company must part with a portion of the required land which ijj little used by it. Does the couhcil expect that the public wait the construction of a proposed esplanade along the foreshore? This scheme has been awaited now for some twenty yeare, and the cost at present and for many years hence should prove too big a burden for our council to shoulder. Therefore, why not carry on with the smaller construction and at least satisfy the 2,000 ratepayers and residents who demand it, and are sorely disappointed with the treatment meted out to them?