Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 602, 2 March 1929, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

RHEUMATISM Sir, — If your correspondent “Rheumatic” (25/2/29) will communicate with me by letter I feel sure I can give him a cure for rheumatism —under certain conditions —more reliable than the prescription of “carry three chestnuts in the pocket.” MAURICE TANGNEY. G.P.0., Auckland. MILITARY GAS Sir, — “Another Optimist” asks why put human beings to unnecessary risk by testing helmets in a gas-filled chamber? I would like to inform him and others, that for purposes of testing helmets and giving confidence to the wearers, these huts are filled with tear gas, which finds all defects without any risk. Also, if this gas escapes from the chamber no harm is done to anyone. EX-GAS N.C.O. CHANGE IN RATING

Sir,— The ratepayers of Waitemata County are to vote soon on the question of a proposed change in their rating system, and I should like to Warn them of the results likely to follow if the system of rating on unimproved values be adopted. The rating on Waiheke Island was recently changed to the unimproved values system, with the result that rates on all the property in my neighbourhood have increased by over threefold. ’DON’T.” A PARK FOR BOWLERS Sir, — Some three or four years ago many bowlers of my acquaintance, some of them in the championship class, used to promote friendly tournaments among their fellow-employees. These tournaments were played out on the Victoria Park bowling green. They found that the green, although not first-class, was quite good enough for their purpose, and very enjoyable times were spent there after working hours during the week. For the last three years, however, the green has been getting worse and worse, until now no bowler who desires to keep his place in his club, would dream of having even a “roll-dp” on that green.

I understand that the Victoria Bowling Club—which is composed of working men, most of whom live in the locality and cannot well afford to pay tbe £4 or £5 a year asked by most clubs who keep their own greens—have made repeated representations to the City Council to have the green put in order; but the requests have been invariably referred to the Parks Committee, which has reported that the green does not pay for its upkeep, and even suggested that it should be closed in favour of a tennis court It may be a fact that the green does not pay, but I am willing to bet that no other piece of public ground' in Auckland of the same size could give a,s much pleasure to so many people on a Saturday afternoon. After all, the reason for the existence of parks is to provide pleasure and lecreation

to the citizens. What portion of the population of the city needs this pleasure and recreation more than those who are working in offices, shops and factories all the week? It would be a thousand pities if the green were closed, although it might almost as well be closed as kept in its present state. I would suggest that the City Council appoint three or four of its members, preferably bowlers, to visit the bowling green on a Saturday afternoon and have a “roll up.” I feel sure they would be interested to note the number of keen enthusiasts gathered there and would also be surprised to see the weird and wonderful behaviour of their bowls. “FREEMAN’S BAY.”

THE GREAT WAR Sir,— In my previous letter it was my purpose to show that in expenditure upon preparation for the last war England went further than Germany. “J.M.J.” knows, or should do, that it was always regarded by England that her safety lay in her, control of the seas rather than upon her land forces. For that reason more attention was concentrated upon the Navy than the Army. The Army, however, was not disregarded, and from 1906, when arrangements were agreed upon by France and England, it was England’s policy to have prepared for instant mobilisation 160,000 men. This was the number considered by France to be sufficient to operate in co-operation with her forces, and with the forces that could be placed in the field by Russia. So that, far from being unprepared, England was working on a definite plan of preparedness. The proof of this is to be found in the diaries, memoirs and books of men such as Lord Haldane, Lord Grey, Admiral t isher and Earl Loreburn. That England carried out her part of the arrangement is evidenced by the statement of Lord Haldane quoted in my last letter. Said Lord Haldane; “We mobilised 36 hours before we declared wa F: Within a few hours the ExChannelf Xy Forca was across the J. F. CASLEY.

MOSQUITOES Sir,— fo^ ha wS rS 1116 local bodie s waiting for. Whenever are they going to do a.nrt C^ ID i E t 0 a L leviatc our continued and useless suffering from this unnecessary pest? We read of mosquito control. We also read with very great interest Mr. D. H. Graham’s account of six species found in Auckland, and how they multiply. We see photographs of their breeding grounds. Mr. Graham kindly informs us. also how they can be reduced, almost exterminated. But wliat are the various sanitary departments doing about following up his suggestions? Nothing, so far as t can see. And there must be thousands of sufferers, who loudly complam about the pest, to say nothing ab ? at the suffering of the babies and children, I met Mr. Graham for the first time yesterday. H.e was examining a cesspit or gully trap outside my house, at the edge of the footpath. On finding out that he was the mosQuito expert, I promptly applied the in next column)

question: ' Where are the mosquitos breeding that worry my family and me all night?’* He pointed to the water in the cesspit, and told me to watch the water moving, and wan enough the water was a moving mas. of life. “Mosquito larvae and pupae,” he said, adding that as most of the water had evaporated out of the tins, the mosquitos were concentrating their egg-laying in these pits, and that i: was possible for one cesspit to breed 10,000 mosquitoes in a month or less No wonder we cannot get a decern sleep! Surely something could be done to prevent this annoyance, these painful bites and irritating sores that follow. IMPATIENT SUFFERER UNEMPLOYMENT EVILS Sir, — Your leading article in Tuesdays Sun was certainly a very good one, and I practically agree with yoor arguments. I will also make the as* sertion that the Reform Government could not have done more in spending money to help to do away with unemployment. Indeed, they spent far too much. It only caused more unemployment. The present United Government is doing the same thing, with a further rise in wages, which is only adding to the problem. We have to find out what is the chief cause of so much unemployment. Anyone other than a wages-man could tell you that the fact is wages have been forced up by the trade unions and the Arbitration Court until it is too dear to buy. Those in employment mostly are get* ting very high wages, and the rest can’t get anything to do. High wages are the cause of the high cost of b v * ing, which cannot be reduced under the present conditions. There is a great cry at present that boys leaving school cannot be putt* learn a trade, and no wonder! AW employer, who would take a boy* the wages he has to pay. and other conditions, is simply a fool. I had many apprentices and know their j value pretty well. Now, sir, you can discuss the unemployed question* long as you like, but it will getwors* every year. Settling a few persona® ll the land will only be a drop in the ocean. We must strike at the rooto the trouble if we are ever to havew alteration. _

OLD EMPLOYER