Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 524, 29 November 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

WOMEN IN PARLIAMENT Sir, In the recent election a few women sought seats in Parliament, but. though one or two polled well, none was elected. Women's intolerance toward their own sex is proverbial, and I think this is the main reason of failure to gain seats. Advocates for the return of women hold that they would be useful in the House. So they would, if they could put aside an inherent dislike for their sisters. Men are more tolerant toward women, and the female electors know it. The women who have been elected to the British House of Commons are rare exception s—even - minded, i i n par L i a I and tactful. I am afraid we cou'd j not produce candidates of this class in New Zealand —not yet, at any rate. J.H.C. BIBLE READING Sir In last week’s report of the 1 «i tion Board's meeting, I noticed that the chairman stated that with the Nelson system attendance at Bible reading was purely voluntary, and that no child could be compelled to attend school while* Bible study was in progress. In view of this statement, perhaps the committee or headmaster of one local school will explain why *all children are requested to be in attendance at 8.40 a.m. on Biblereading morning, i.e.. 20 minutes before the usual school time. The chairman also stated that the compulsory time for school attendance was onlv four hours a day. Does this mean that a parent has the right to keep a child away for one hour a day, without his being punished? BIRKENHEAD. A BRIDGE AT MANUREWA Sir, — Judging by a newspaper report of (he Manurewa Town Board meeting, held on the 19th inst., the new bridge (which should be called "Mahia”) over the water known as the Papakura Stream, is to be the same width as the one over the Wiri Stream —18 feet. This means that no provisions are to be made for school, children and for foot traffic generally; therefore the present bridge, about 14 feet wide, is safer for pedestrians, as a one-car bridge, than the new one as a two-car one. The present structure cost a little over £250 early in 1905, the old decking being removed in December, 1904, and during all these years there has been very little money spent on it with the exception of maintenance to the blue metal surface and repairs to damage done to pillars and sides by motor-cars. The Highway Board is concerned only with motor traffic, and is evidently satisfied with 18 feet. This is no uso to ratepayers and reside ntiaJ voters who have as much say in the election of members for the town board, though owning neither horse nor motor-car, as those who own either or both, but who must look to the members for common justice. I therefore

trust tlie town board will do as the i majority of the last board did in con- j neciion with the overhead bridge—refuse to pay unless proper provision is made for school children and other pedestrians, and thus prove that they are not neglecting their own supporters for through traffic. Personally, I have consistently supported footpaths. C. H. LEPTON. SEATS IN TRAMS Sir. — While on the subject of rudeness in tramcars, let “Mother of Eight” reflect that women cannot have both their cake and their penny. Woman claims to be man’s equal. Granted this, able-bodied women should expect to stiap-liang as often as men. I offer my seat to any woman carrying a baby afid to any aged woman or aged man; and if I cannot get a seat for myself i grin and bear it. When I travelled with a baby in arms I never wanted for a seat. A toil-weary man has more need of a seat than a gadding woman. When there is a crush, and one is feeling lit to stand, it is always best to assume that there are others less fit. Let “Mother of Eight” also reflect that these rude men under discussion must have been trained by women: they cannot all have been brought up by courtesy-lacking bachelor uncles. The rudeness of Auckland men (and flappers), is a nasty reflection on Auckland mothers. ANOTHER MOTHER. Hobsonville. COMPETITION Sir.— The elimination of competition, as of other forms of warfare, is a consummation devoutly to be fished, but not reasonably to be expected. So long as life is a struggle for existence, in which the fittest survives, so long must competition continue. Failure to recognise this fact, whether by the League of Nations, the New Zealand Government, or the Auckland City Council, is fundamentally wrong. The right to live may be asserted by individuals and nations, but. unless they are prepared to njake good their words with deeds, there is no guarantee that the less fit will not succumb to the more fit. Fitness to survive being, in the last analysis, the best assurance of survival, this must be sought, not in the elimination of competition, but by its sublimation. The function of Government is not to strangle competition rind create monopolies, but to see that the fighting is fair. It is only thus that our Dominion and Empire may develop those survival qualities upon which our future existence depends. The defeat of the Reform Government at the recent election was due, primarily, to its failure to understand and apply these principles. J.G.H. NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENT “Coolheaded/’; —Your letter is in support of another which appeared in ;» morning newspaper. It cannot, Therefore, be published by us.—Ed , The Sun.