Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 613, 15 March 1929, Page 8

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

AN UGLY WORD Sir, — Stirely it would be possible to adopt for the cross-harbour motor ferriesi some better designation that “vehicular.* Would it not be better if the Harbour Board took a stand and called them simply motor ferries o.r transport ferries? Vehicular is one of the clumsiest "words in the language. I am not certain that its use is sanctioned by the best authorities. Certainly it is difficult to say, there being no rhythm or euphony about it at all, and it is not a tuneful word to the ear. Of course, one does not expect local bodies to concern themselves about the niceties of diction, but when obvious and more pleasant substitutes are at hand there seems no reason why tho Harbour Board should not take action. OXONIAN. FITNESS GOOD DEFENCE Sir, — „ ° r , tho many who witnessed and thoroughly enjoyed the physical 5, A,. acrobatics of the St. tetephens College Maori boys at Blandtoid Bark, let m© say that I am now converted to tho idea of this sensible disciplined culture as far exceeding the present territorial and cadet system, which, considering tho growing anti-war spirit of to-day, is by no means a popular heavy expenditure, the enthusiasm of the Maori boys in a health-giving exhibition was evident to all, and I am sure that I am one of many who consider the demands of the compulsory military service system for f UI youths, could bo beneficially converted into a national method of real fitness for those lads who do not go in for sport or athletics. The new Government could effect a big saving of money by such a change. CONVERTED. YELLOW FLAGS Kir,— U A e . recent Bolice Court proeeedwhich reviewed unfavourably the yacht Tictory’s return from Norfolk island, the magistrate remarked that an that was required for the Victory to comply with the regulations was for "® r „ to arrive at Russell and fly a y ell , ow flag. Now I am certain mat had she done so and awaited medical inspection. her crew would have died of starvation. I, myself, in a. keel yacht previously unknown at Russell, arrived at that port at spm on February 10, anchored off the wharf and hoisted a yellow flag, which was flown until dark. I received no call from any official. The following day saw the yellow flag flown from daybreak until 10.30 a.m. without result. I then went ashore and informed the authorities. who admitted and rightly admitted that they took little notice of yachts’ flags. Everywhere in the past it has been the custom for a yacht to fly any old flag she pleased. It is a joke to suggest that harbour officials take much notice of yachts’ flags, and furthermore the same applies to lighthouse keepers. Indeed our vessel, when inward bound, flew a yel-

low flag visible from Cape Brett, but needless to say, without being reported. Upon making inquiries from a port official I found that th€> average number of vessels requesting pratique at the Bay of Islands is less than one a year—hardly enough to keep the officials on constant watch. The Victory’s crew should feel pleased that they acted as they did. ‘‘YELLOW FLAG.” SAMOA’S TROUBLES Sir, — It is deeply to be regretted that Tamasese is to be kept in prison. Such action seems harsh and quite incomprehensible, seeing that our American neighbours in Samoa appear to have no such trouble as has happened under our administration, which is proving very expensive both to Samoa and New Zealand. Let us learn from the Americans. They have never had to display armed force in managing their Samoan territory. Why should we? Tho Samoan people are, probably, as desirous of peace as we are, but there are evidently faults and misunderstandings on both sides. These must first be cleared away, and genuine grievances righted as soon as possible. Would it not be a friendly step in the right direction to restore Tamasese to his people, and then invite their friendly co-operation in finding a way to end the trouble. WILLIAM PERRY. Great Barrier. “SLAVERY” IN KENYA Sir,— You recently received a paper from Mr. Griffiths headed “Slavery Under British Rule.” Permit me to add some comments on the matter it contains. The incidents Archdeacon Owen refers to, later called “atrocities” in the paper under consideration, are offences against the law, just as arson, robbery, and murder are in New Zealand. When these latter occur, we do not cry shame upon the Coates or Ward Administration; we know that these will occur until man is much more perfect than even in our favoured country, and we know that swift and adequate punishment win follow the offence. So it is in Kenya. So-called “forced labour" there is, of two kinds ■ that required in native reserves, that required for general public uses, e g., in the former case, erection of huts! making of roads; in the latter, the repair of railways after washouts. Six days a month is the legal limit of this labour. There are no press-gangs. The headmen are informed that the labour is required, and they round up their workers. For the labour on works of utility- in native reserves there is no pay—the works are the reward of it. The houses are ’here to live in, the roads to walk on. These have not to be paid for, as they would in other circumstances. For the public use, labour is paid the ruling rates. These and schedules of foodstuffs sup(Continued in Next Column.)