Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 593, 20 February 1929, Page 8

Citizens Say —

PROTECTION AND PRICES Sir, Captain Colbeck is reported to have said at the meeting between manufacturers and farmers that “Free trade is fair trade.” Wherever did he get his information? He evidently knows nothing about Free Trade in the Homeland, or he would not have made such a statement. SPENCER SMITH. Devonport. POISON GAS Sir,— • v I have been reading the correspondence re the above with deep interest, and think that R. M. Thomson and others who have gained experience through their suffering know what they are writing about, and do not want our young men to undergo the same or a more deadly destruction. We have been talking peace lately, but I fear it is a parrot-cry. When the Great War of 1914 was over, we road: “War is gone for all time. Peace has come.” It seems that peace is still elusive and is not going to fall to the arras of force. Force will never bring lasting peace. The conquered still maintain thoughts of mistrust and antagonism, waiting the slightest opportunity to blaze forth again. We do not want a repetition of 1914, with all its horror and bloodshed. It was not only man who suffered, but animals and birds did their part. Hid not horses, mules, dogs and pigeons shed their life’s blood mingling it with the blood of the great mass of slain mankind to obtain the great peace which sometimes seems near yet so far. I. NOBLE. A BIG DOUBLE Sir,—■ J read with some interest your article in a recent issue about the “Man Who Backed £2,000 Dividend" It may interest you to know a littie more of the incident. The late Mi-. John Heslop was a good judge of horses and officiated for many years as judge at many A. and P. Shows. Having seen Captain Shannon win a six furlongs race at Waverley, he concluded the horse would have a chance in the Stewards’ Handicap at Riccarton. The writer was his informant as to Star Tose having seen that horse run at the Wellington spring meeting and having noted that had the distance been a little further he would have won the race he was contesting. Having decided that Star Rose had a good chance of winning the New Zealand Cup I telegraphed to the leading bookmakers inquiring the odds, and to my astonishment discovered that 100 to 20 was quoted then. This I refused and determined to invest a few pounds on the totalisator, and rejoiced in receiving a dividend of well over £ 50. The winner of the double bad telegraphed j the money to the then secretary of the

(To the Editor.)

Canterbury Jockey Club. This, in those days, was permitted. Mr. Heslop, in riding’ to his home from Hawera that day, met the son of a neighbour, to whom he he sold for 10s half of his ticket. The double dividend was considerably mo: than £2,000.

Your comments as to the “know alls” are much to the point. I was there and have a memory of the sensation it caused among those present. The win of Star Rose was well received in Taranaki, for the horse’s owner. Mr. Matthew?, of Waitara, who is now living in Hamilton, was always a wise and courageous bettor, allied to being the possessor of a genial personality. There are few living to-day in New Zealand who have been so long and Intimately associated with racing as that gentleman. C. E. MAJOR. Auckland, Feb. 15, 1929. “SO FEW LEFT” Sir, — I am in accord with your correspondent, “J.M.J.,” who approves the tenor of your leading articles in which the hope of peace is expressed, but I disagree that peace can but wait for a favourable meed of world thought. I consider that peace can be obtained by some form of direct legislation in each country so that war can be made impossible by the elimination of the causes which are so well known. In conjunction with that we should do something to control our statesmen who seem to be unable to lead and sbane the peaceful destiny of our Empire. By resignedly saying, “Regrettable as it may seem . . . there appears to be nothing left for us but to be prepared for all eventualities/’ “J.M.J/* plays into the hands of war-mongers. We cannot risk another war because there may be so few left to think. ACTION. TRAMWAY EXTENSIONS Sir,— Ratepayers of Greater Auckland would do well to weigh the loan proposals for tramway extensions well before sanctioning them. The position is just the same as when tne last loan was rejected, except that the outer boroughs now share the liability, but the City Council still dominates the policy. Mr. Morton, the Onehunga member of the board, says that the city Council members arc having all their own way, and we can only expect a continuance of the City Council s policy in regard to transport. The position has really gone from bad to worse. Trams are too slow for distances of over four miles, and fares for long distances are too high, that is under tile present administration, burely the ratepayers will not allow this thing to be put over them because a name has been changed from “City Council t° “Transport Board”? Some favour trams because of the large amount of employment they give, but

it is the travelling public, or the rat.payers, who have to foot the bill, ard surely rates are high enough? If the suburbs were properly catered for bt fast buses going right into the cioquite a lot of employment would be given, and property in the suburbs would iet and sell better; but th* buses must be left to private enterprise. E. STEVENSON.

THE MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS Sir. — The letter appearing in The Sun e: the 12th inst. over the signature oi Or. Murray is one I think should gain the approbation of the electors. It sets out in a sensible manner the right of the citizens regarding the municipal franchise. It is to be hoped that all those who possess the necessary qualifications will see to it that they are placed on the roll before April 4 next, otherwise as Cr. Murray points out, they *2l be left lamenting on polling day. I is a duty that every elector owes firs, to himself, and secondly to the city to which he belongs, that he give serious consideration as to whom he elect; as Mayor and councillors of this fastgrowing area. They are the managing directors of a huge business, an' the electors are the shareholders, acu being the shareholders, it is up to them to entrust only those in whom they have confidence. I fully realise that it is easier >c criticise than to do the job, but w have had so many instances dunnthe past regime of the blunders aw: manifestations of inefficiency that lac convinc _-d that an entire change m tb« personnel of our present council very desirable. The electors owe a debt of to the Press, and especially The Sv‘ for the manner in which it na£, * many occasions, laid bare the comings of the management of cor civic business, especially our trarsport. I sincerely trust that no mat how apparently urgent any loan be required at this juncture, that J* electors will mark time till the rcouncil is elected. _,. r B. E. HOWM.