Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 632, 8 April 1929, Page 8

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

CANCER RESEARCH Sir.— I read the letter of “Diet First” in a recent issue of The Sun and I cannot 1 agree with his contention that cancersufferers should first supply to us their reactions to the radium treatment before we give credence to the claims of scientists. Who are better qualified to give the public the true facts than the specialists who administer, and study the results of, the radium treatment? And medical men the world over seem to be agreed, to date, that the best curative results in cancer treatment are to be obtained from the use of radium. Hoes it not seem to be a little churlish to cast stones at those who are devoting their lives to such valuable research work. T.U.C* GIVING A LEAD Sir.— None of the Ring’s representatives in New Zealand has ever rendered a finer service to this country than that given by the present Governor-General in offering to convert a part of Government House into a special hospital for the treatment of the influenza victims on the State steamer Maui Pomare, and also to assist with his family in caring for the patients. From the beginning of an earnest career in this Dominion Sir Charles Fergusson and Lady Alice Fergusson have been leaders and inspirers of Chystian work. Their latest example of such leadership and inspiration is, in my humble opinion, a glorious act of practical Christianity. The Hospital Board, obviouslv shamed into doing its belated diitv, declined their Excellencies’ noble offer and agreed to take over “Cintra,” an empty mansion, as an isolated hospital. The community should be grateful to Sir Charles and Lady Alice Fergusson for having given a lead to a group of administrators whose failure to realise the call of duty threatened to make Auckland a by-word among civilised communities. PLAIN CITIZEN. A PACIFIST UNDER FIRE Sir. —- If Mr. Byrt continues to decline acknowledgment of what is surely a vital distinction between preparedness for a defensive war and armament for a war of offence I am afraid we have come to a deadlock. I cannot but think the distinction is fundamental and not merely a military euphemism. I have never urged differentiation in the method of conducting either form of war. Arms and impedimenta of both kinds of war are. of course, identical. The argument, as I understand it. concerns the psychology of nation and nation. Here is a people arming. The auestion is: ‘ What is the motive, the attitude of mind actuating such armament?” If for ambitious gain, for tyranicai oppression, then that people stands condemned; if for preservation of property, for national safety, then is that people justified. "The whole trouble to-day is due to the fear distorting human minds,” your correspondent states. Quite so. That fear has persisted from the dawn of history and must persist as long as one nation is richer than its neighbour, as long as one countrv has broadacres and another needs room for .its expanding -millions Ido aoi tbiniL

that the acceptance of Christianity by all nations will prevent war, although the chances of a clash will be possibly more remote. It is. I think, all a matter of temper and colour. “Some nations must be prepared to be martyred for the cause of peace.” is Mr. Byrt’s next proposition. A little reflection will point the futility of such a suggestion. Hngland is threatened by an invader. Slie capitulates without expostulation (and all the world wonders). What happens now? The conqueror seizes England's wealth, takes over her government. “Now,” says the bully, “you are part of me. The snowball shall roll. I want Italy.” But Italy has hot blood. “We will try somebody else,” says buliy-cum-Eng-land. “Turkey and the East.” Hotter blood still. The rolling snowball melts. I am completely at variance with Mr. Byrt in his contention that war under any condition is contrary to the spirit of Christ. War of defence I consider not only justifiable but a solemn duty. My friend would not take up arms against a force invading New Zealand, but as yet advances no reason. I withhold my heavy artillery until he gives me something objective to fire at. He defies me to find any adequate means for the defence of this or any other country. Well, now. England's Navy has proved a pretty strong arm—just how strong neither he nor I may ever realise. As regards our own country. If w-e could not keep out an invader we would give it a “jollv good go ” To “Reform Wanted” I would point out that I was studious to avoid a defence of the present manner of the training of our boys—goodness knows the system is rotten enough—but it is the principle I affirm. SHOULDER ARMS. NEW BLOOD Sir, — -a 1 a ,=TT. O wi p t aU that has been said about the apathy of electors in failing to enrol before the municipal elections. It is true that a countrv gets the government it deserves, and that truism applies, also, to communities. Let us hope that before the elections take place those of our citizens who arc frv Vv, 6 , r ° U ' V1 !I rcalise the responsibility that now lies in their hands. On them will fall the duty of deciding w hetner ineptitude or efficiency shali win the day. I trust that the public *s® various candidates will be well attended and that citizens who have something constructive to sav will attend meetings and -S' a y it Every effort should be expended to infuse at least a pint or two of new blood into the City Council TRANSFUSION. MR. BLOODWORTH AND COMMUNISM Sir,— 8. 1 Taylor If’*' Pa°pm- Perhlns -ium^s but the fact that he did sc? d^ UniSm ' Hi: S sa&

Bloodworth be practically labelled as a Communist? I think Mr. Taylor 1* trying to get a whole lot of publicity for himself at the expense of a decent quiet man. Mr. Taylor, however, wu l not succeed in his object. Mr. Bloodworth will be Mayor of Auckland k after the municipal elections, and Mr. !| Taylor will still he an ordinary | zen—without a seat on the c,iy | Council. I . FAIR DINKUM. & THE CAPTIVE KING Permit me to make an appeal i behalf of two feathered families | the Auckland Zoo, whose treatment* < compared with that meted p ut practically every other exhibit, p pears hardly equitable. I refer t 0 _ eagles and condors. The li°. nS Jr£h in practically a small park, m natural conditions have been *J*L duced. The tigers and others 01 . cat tribe have ample exercising - the host of smaller animals & al [ e h ul pseudo-natural spaces in which roam; the bears have amP»‘cL ters; the monkeys that ar in the big pit seem to * scrambling round the cages but king of birds, the eagle, is a cap indeed. He has no exercising whatever—for flying is his and the smallness of the cag® vents him from doing more tha his great wings while he !TaZ \ ir $ ceasingly at the skies. sure q pCA timely suggestion from the ® is required. There is ample for a big and suitably j