Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 520, 24 November 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

COURTESY IN TRAMCARS Sir, — As a visitor from the South, I must comment unfavourably upon the lack of gallantry shown by Auckland men in tramcars. There is none of the politeness shown by South Island males toward womenfolk. A glaring instance was seen on a Remuera car the other day, when an elderly woman was allowed to stand right out to Newmarket, while the majority of the seats were occupied by smug, mannerless nen It is about time Auckland men woke up to their shortcomings and developed SUNDAY PLEASURES May I express my appreciation of your article of Friday’s issue under the heading of “Sunday Pleasures. I feel sure that it ably expresses the feelings of many of your readers with respect to Sunday observance. Many of us older people can doubtless look back to the days when even in happy families, Sunday was one continuous round of meetings, and even a cycle ride was a prohibited relaxation. As you state, “the thing to strive for is a natural observance of true .Christianity, and this on every day of the seven, as ve.rily every day is the Lord’s day. We do not want a nation of smug churchgoers, who, as in the past days, often put away their Christianity with their Sunday clothes for six days of the week. We may recognise Cod in our fellow man, under the blue sky, quite as much as in the churches, many of which are locked up from service to service, instead of standing open with an invitation to all for a little quiet meditation. The Sabbath was made for man, and not man far the Sabbath. TOLERANCE. TOURIST AND RAILWAY DEPTS. Sir, — It is probable that one result of the recent General Election, if Sir Joseph Ward heads a new Government, will be that the gradual absorption of the Tourist Department by the Railway Department will be stopped. While the Tourist Department has not displayed the enterprise it should have in later years, due to inefficient leadership, still it could be a more useful organisation. As the father of this department over 25 years ago, Sir Joseph Ward is more likely to give it another lease of life and see what can be done. There is no doubt that under the management of Mr. T. E. Donne it did great work and at that time carried out the advertising of our scenic resorts. Both Sir Joseph and many of the United Party candidates made many references on the platform to the need for capitalising our tourist advantages. With the election of Mr. A. J. Stallworthy and Mr. W. J. Broadfoot, officers of the New Zealand Tourist League of Auckland, there will be some members in the House who have an appreciation of the importance of the business. While the Railway Department has lately certainly shown more of a desire to serve the public, still its efforts are a long way short of what

a private company like the C.P.R. does in tire way of encouraging travel. As many of our resorts, where the accommodation houses are owned by the Tourist Department, are some distance from the railway, motorcars are needed to make connections. There is a strong suspicion in the public mind that if the Railway Department took over the work of planning itineraries and booking tours, it might not do the right thing by the tourist in mapping a route for him in service cars where his comfort ana convenience clearly required it. There is undoubtedly an obvious advantage in having these two departments, along with the Publicity Office, under the one Minister, in order to promote more co-ordination. In a number of the main centres the Railway and Tourist Departments have recently taken up the joint occupation of new premises. Further signs of the overshadowing of the Tourist Department were to be seen in the work of the Post Office agents on the trans-Pacific steamers who help travellers to plan itineraries through the Dominion. Whereas the tourist manager used to go on board and complete arrangements for tours, now these people are passed on to the Railway Department agents at tlie port of arrival. It is to be hoped that a real effort will be made to develop the tourist possibilities of the Dominion, as they can b& made a substantial source of national income. If Canada within a few years can receive over £50,000,000 annually from this source, surely New Zealand, with its wonderful seen’.- end sport opportunities, can expect to get more than £1,000,000 per annum which is now estimated to come from oversea visitors. On a proportionate basis we should be receiving at least £5,000,000 in this way. It will be interesting to see if under a United Party Cabinet a more serious attempt will be made to exploit ou.r tourist resources. PROGRESS. THE POWER BOARD Sir, — I notice your correspondent, “Surrey Crescent,” is having a tilt at the Power Board. I wonder if the Power Board would enlighten the people concerning what it proposes to do with the present offices which it will vacate when the new block in Queen Street is completed. The present building was specially built for the Power Board, only three or four years ago. Everyone knows there is a glut of offices on the market at present. It seems to me the high cost of electricity should be reduced before the board starts on undertakings of that sort. J.H.H. PUNISHING CAR THIEVES Sir,— I with a great deal of interest an article in The Sun earlier in the in which motoring men in Auckland considered the penalties for motor-car thieves were too light. I agree, **ir, that our magistrates have been far too lenient with those who are convicted of this mean and ; despicable action. i It is ua interesting speculation,

however, to gauge the cause of ttjj lenient outlook. It appears to me tM the belief has grown in the pun* and in the magisterial mmd tbatte theft of a motor-car is not a offence against property or agu* society. In the old days a man cow not be apprehended for stealing horse so long as he turned the loose and allowed it to wander bo* Unfortunately the abandonment * stolen motor-car on the roadside p not fulfil this boomerang wnen* >. and if the owner wishes to recovt. his machine he must go after -j have the authorities get it for Surely the act of taking anott “ man’s motor-car is one of the wo ‘ of theft crimes because of its ness. Luxury at the cost of disbo esty impresses me as something*® despicable. If this be so, then g offenders should be punished. ft Why not adopt the suggestion | Mr. R. W. Hutchinson, and increase ? the maximum penalty? Jurymen see to it that justice is done; pedestrian NOTICE TO CORRESPONDED “Mana”—Your letter opens up too a field of controversy.—Ed., • 9