Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 597, 25 February 1929, Page 8

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

SAMOAN FRENZIED FINANCE Sir. In your issue of February 20 the headlines alone regarding- the unsatisfactory administration of Samoa are enough to stagger humanity. All the past reports about the excellent way in which the affairs of this tiny spot have been administered are evidently no more nor less than “bluff,” and the blame for all this muddlement must surely bo sheeted home. Officers with very little service have been pitchforked into high-salaried positions and what are the results? and. sir, do you observe that there is some talk or suggestion that they should be transferred to New Zealand? Nothing short of an independent inquiry is needed and the new Government would be' well advised, in order to protect itself, to insist on a proper investigation being made No Royal Commission is needed, and an inquiry by Government officials will not suffice. TAXPAYER. Auckland, 22.2.29. RHEUMATISM Sir, — Some months ago one of your correspondents wrote in reference to the chestnut cure for rheumatism. He cited the case of Sir John FosterFraser, the well-known writer, who, when suffering agonies from rheumatism, was told by a doctor to carry three chestnuts in his pocket. The doctor said he could not explain the “why and wherefore,” but declared that if Foster-Fraser would follow his advice his rheumatism would leave him. Sir John had no faith in the remedy, but tried it. Sure enough his pains ceased, and did not return! As a sufferer from rheumatism myself I should be greatly obliged if anv reader of The Sun who’has tried this alleged cure would write and tell you the result. It would interest many Aucklanders. . RHEUMATIC. PREPAREDNESS AND PEACE Sir, \ c ? rr ®?P? n< * ent “Action” beV, 1 kemg prepared for all wo are Paying into the liandt* of the war-mongers, let him iefer back to the years preceding the greatest conflict in history. Five years previous to the Great "War Robert Blatchford, than whom no more peace-loving person exists, saw the danger looming on the horizon and urged the nation to prepare. I was iP, Enstand at that time and read all Blatchford had to say on the subject. himself into very bad odour with his own followers over that business and was execrated through the length and breadth of the land by many of those who previously had been his staunchest supporters Yet time, which proves all things, proved Blatchford right. It is now ancient history that the war. which was none of our making, found us quite unready How many lives were uselesslv sacrificed in consequence? Further, had we been as ready as Germany was. would she have dared to go to war? There is

a Scriptural phrase to tire effect, "When a strong man armed keepeth his castle his goods are in peace, but if a stronger than he shall come he taketh from him all his armour wherein lie trusted and divideth the spoil.” After all is said and done, however lofty and beautiful may be our ideals, we live in a world of cold and brutal facts. We are still largely governed by the “law of the jungle.” Let us work for our ideals by all means. Progress is impossible. otherwise, but until such time as the thought toward peace is universal, let us take things as we find them, lest our very unpreparedness may be interpreted as a confession of w-eakness rather than sincerity of purpose. J.M.J POINT CHEVALIER BEACH Sir,— I have read the various letters which have appeared in The Sun on the subject of Point Chevalier Beach. It seems to me that the council is dc-ing everything possible to retard the progress of this beach. It has done everything in its power to prevent a private concern erecting baths on this beach, and yet has asked the public to agree to a. loan for the same purpose. No wonder the loan was turned down. Private enterprise was prepared to take all the risks and provide modern up-to-date baths at a reasonable price and no prospect of the rates being increased. Let us hope that the next Mayor and council will have sufficient business acumen to see the desirability of fostering private enterprise of a like nature. RATEPAYER. NO MAN’S LAND Sir. —- I have just read, and thoroughly appreciated the humour of the resolution passed by the Progressive League at Point Chevalier. As one of the writers mentioned in a statement tc The Sun permit me, without claiming any engineering experience or skHl, to express a few remarks for the consideration of those responsible for the “Statement” as to the denudation of sand from the Point Chevalier Beach. Three years ago, an east wind prevailed for a long period, and the Home Bay beach was completely stripped of sand, leaving bare clay and papa, with occasional stumps protruding. When a westerly wind prevailed, from day to day the restoration of the sand took place, and the beach regained its normal state. Some have been of the belief that the Shelly Beach baths would prejudicially affect the Herne Bay beaches. This has proved otherm IS S; J he , sa !? e experience happened m St. Marys Bay, when for a period the sand shifted and roots were visible th ® wind prevailing from" the opposite direction, the sand was restored. The restoration of the slight 3t * P ° int Chevalier, for which the pontoon has been indicted. action of 1 "]* 1 ® to , be amenable to the a of th wind and tide rho question might be put to the amateur engineers responsible for the (Continued in next column)

“Statement.” “If one pontoon causes a notable disturbance to the drift of sand, what must the effect be of the hundreds of launches and yachts moored in Auckland’s many bays?” Just a passing word to the members of sailing clubs. It has been the practice for some time, to sail boats among the many bathers, even in quite shallow water. In this there is a positive danger which the members of the clubs will be well advised to heed. An admonitary instruction from commodores to refrain from so doing will no doubt have the desired effect. The gentlemen responsible for the “Statement” can hardly have looked into the question other than superficially, or they would realise that men with a lifetime’s experience, and others whose vocation is the study of subjects such as this, would not risk their professional reputation in making statements they were not able to substantiate. The winds will blow and the currents will flow, and sea shores will continue to be stripped and covered, as has happened throughout the ages. Nothing so puny as a pontoon will affect the inevitable elements. Should the slight movements of sand be readjusted by more sand movements, I anticipate the gentlemen responsible for the “Statement” will claim their contention is fully proven. C. E. MAJOR. GIVE BOARD A CHANCE Sir, Your correspondent, E. Stevenson, gives us a picture which, on the face uf it, appears impressive, but we must probe this question deeper. Readers should consider these facts before permitting themselves to be led into a cul-de-sac:— 1. The Transport Board is an elected body, and is therefore non-permanent. It is a new body, and should be given every assistance. 2. Tram fares are at any rate no more than bus fares would be had busdrivers a monopoly. We find that by comparison with existing suburban conditions where buses operate. The original cost, the running e*' penses, and the maintenance of buses is money that leaves the country ana frequently the Empire, too. lam surprised at such a champion of locaj interests as our correspondent pitching us such an apocryphal tale. Furthermore, we have the train problems to contend with. We ha no room on our city streets for suen Meet of buses as would be necessary to meet our requirements. Let us have genuine construct! criticism if any. „ _ TX ./- TING ling.