Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 518, 22 November 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

“NOT ON DEAF EARS” Sir.— . I would like to say. as a mother of sons, that I think the Rev. Jasper Calder has hit the nail on the head in his sermon touching on politics. I would just like to say that this world takes the work of so many of our good men for granted that this is really a note of appreciation to let Mr. Calder know that his appeal-has not fallen upon deaf ears. FREEMAN’S BAY. HEART AND HOME CHATS Sir, — I hope I am not encroaching on your space by a few lines on behalf of Miss Anne Rutledge, whose “Heart and Home Chats” from week to week I look forward to with the deepest interest. Words fail to express the gratitude I feel I owe this lady, and there is no doubt that her opportunities and experiences in her study of humanity have been instrumental in paving a path from which even the most intellectual might gain knowledge. A WELLWISHER. MR. CALDER’S SERMON Sir. — 1 must heartily agree with the Key. Jasper Calder, where he advises burying political enmities and suggests that all parties should work together for the common good of the country. But I am afraid Mr. Calder expects too much of humanity. There is one party which is prepared to stand alone and is honest enough to stake its policy and to light for power on the strength of that policy. Its leader is a man who would introduce legislation for the benefit of the poor, perhaps to the slight detriment of the rich; but not sufficient for them to suffer any hardship. That man would be stoned and crucified if it were possible, but in these modern times lie is called all sorts of dreadful names. Although I am a worker I must admit that the average toiler i.M slow to learn. In ignorance lie places in power his bitterest enemies. ONE WHO THINKS. THE POWER BOARD Sir, — While on the discussion about Mr. T. Bloodworth and the Power Board, I would like to ask if Mr. Bloodworth has done anything particular, as a member of the Power Board, to champion the rights of the working people lie is supposed to represent. The Auckland Power Board takes a lot of beating. It markets a public utility oi' which it holds an absolute monopoly, yet demands from the working man who does not happen to own property a guarantee or ejse £ 2 as a bond. Why should the worker put down his good money when he can have it earning interest in the savings bank? Why cannot the Power Board bo content with ordinary commercial

processes of recovery ? Go into the Power Board office at any hour of any day, and you will find one, two or half a dozen people with complaints against this oppressive and unjustifiable system. Another objectionable feature is the minimum charge, by which the householder, supposing lie is on holiday, may have to pay for more electricity than he consumes. There is no principle of commercial or other morality that can justify this practice. Finally, the Auckland Power Board’s charges for electricity are dearer to the small man than in any other big centre in the country. Let anyone in doubt examme the Abstract of Statistics for Octmoer, where the following are the figures for 23 units: Auckland, 8s lOd; Wellington, 5s 7d: Christchurch, 3s lOd: Dunedin, 4s Bd. SURREY CRESCENT. | ■ GIVE WOMEN A CHANCE Sir, “A Man in Place” states that he cannot agree with me that women are capable of minding tlieir own affairs in the House of Representatives or on civic bodies, but claims that their capabilities have yet to be proved. He evidently ignores the fact that Oneliunga, years ago, had the honour of having a woman Mayor. To-day, one of England’s largest, busiest cities boasts of a very capable woman as Lord Mayor. To wait until your correspondent gives us a chance of demonstrating what we can do would be to wait for ever apparently. This cry of home being the place for woman’s influence is worn out. Many capable housekeepers have no home to consider, and could help the women employed in homes and factories to assert their rights. They would not be mere office-seekers waiting to grab a salary, but women whose time would be at the disposal of their own sex because they feel it their duty to work in this fashion. There would then be no more need for speeches by men on topics of which they know little, and which must be, to them, an embarrassment. A small group of women in the House would add to its dignity. Scores of men agree with me. v B. KING. RACING AND THE BACKER Sir,— A very tine article on this subject appeared in your issue of the 21st. Ihe crux of the whole thing seems to me to be summed up in the last paragraph, “Hoes the backer care?” first of all, is racing a sport or a business ! At a racing conference held some years ago one well qualified to judge said it was a business, and that very few people would make it pay. If it is a sport, then it is about the only one of that nature which requires a totalisator or bookmaker to enable it t 0 T? a J^ y ° n — so why srowl if business is bad. Other businesses have the same troubles but uo not cry about it — they just carry on. If it is to give the public just sport, then so long as the public enjoys itself why worry? smaller purses and fewer meetings would meet the case so far as the backer is concerned. 1 do not think

j that lie or slw worries I per cent, deductions, oc)c et, * it comes out of the los hliC ueT of ;; the winners. The , u . ed to P winner gains ' , r —well, j the tax. And th W l g Qod money 1 * § should he worry? OIl ly 3 gone in any case. regard I' l ' . I teli whether backers reg* tt; I as too severe would b<» in'*! 1 return dropped below pro fit | | reckoned to be sufficentPr f do the backers followth£ £ risk * J you see oases I pound for a Sy four shillings—so tney ce nt “T not worry about the H per acC eP»b / One way which might k- / both to the racing clab ing 6 c*k . would be to hate a w y,o H. taxes. Thus the nian hig iier;; “100 dividend wollUl l>“> vjder( ls b-m and perhaps the poorer , nCO | even money could, like be exempt. bAK 1 t