Citizens Say –

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 644, 22 April 1929, Page 8

Citizens Say -

(To the Editor.)

SPOILING A PARADE Sir, — While I have nothing but praise for the Territorials who attended the ceremony of trooping the colours yesterday, I would like to refer to the conduct of four young men who scarcely did credit to their regiment or their country. They were among the party detailed to guard the outer edge of the parade ground, and were therefore some distance away from the centre of operations. While their companions conformed to the orders that were given by the officer in charge, so far as such movements as standing to attention, sloping and presenting arms were concerned, these four youths slummocked and flopped all over the place. They had cigarettes hanging at a rakish angle from their mouths when their companions were presenting arms, and instead of carrying out this gesture of respect they leaned on their rifles as if they were walking sticks. One of them failed to extinguish his cigarette while “God Save the King” was being played, although, to do him justice, he did stand up in a sheepish manner. Spectators in the vicinity were disgusted with the exhibition, which marred a very fine show. It is a pity that the military authorities had not detailed an officer to accompany these uncouth youths to the edge of the field and keep a watchful eye on them. The other lads in the outer chain behaved themselves as young New Zealanders should. Ex-N.Z.E.F. THERE, 2/-; BACK, 2/6 Sir,— It is a pity that the laws of this country do not provide for severely dealing with people who exploit the public when they have them at a disadvantage. An illustration of this kind occurred on Saturday, and cannot be allowed to pass without protest. Fleets of buses conveyed people to the air pageant at Ihumatao. No return fares were available on the vehicles, and the fare to the ’drome was 2s. When the people wished to come back they found that the fare haci been raised to 2s 6d. Protests on the spot were useless, for the people could not walk from the ’drome to the tram at Onebunga, and were forced to suffer the Indignity of having It “put across them” as well as the irksome necessity of having to pay another fare. The extra sixpence Would have been paid -willingly by the majority of passengers had the original fare been established at 2s 6d at the beginning, but there is a very natural revulsion of feeling against the company which deliberately takes advantage of the people to whom it has promised service by contracting to carry them to the destination advertised. PEEVED. DISARMAMENT Saturday evening's cables told us that the League of Nations Disarmament Commission has rejected the Russian

Soviet’s proposal for a 50 per cent, reduction of ail armaments. Without attempting to enter the maze of complications through which the commission and the League have found it necessary to grope In the past three years, it appears abundantly plain that the much-maligned Soviet is the only government prepared to stop beating about the bush and do something. In December, 1927, Geneva correspondents heaped insults on the first Soviet disarmament representations, stating, “Members of the Preparatory Commission were not unprepared for the foolishness of the Soviet delegates.” That “foolishness” was a proposal in fifteen careful and comprehensive -clauses for complete international disarmament. I; was laughed out of court. Now another proposal of the “bloodthirsty” Soviet has been rejected. Of course, If the world did disarm, the commission members and lots of other Important people would lose their jobs. That would never do, OBSERVER. DAYLIGHT RADIO RECEPTION Sir,— Regarding the exceptionally good radio reception close to the Arctic Circle, very likely this is due to the Intensity of the atmospheric electricity in these regions, especially in winter time. Undoubtedly the true mechanics of radio reception is earth conduction or by the ground waves. If you like and the apparent attraction of these waves by the free electricity of the atmosphere residing on our aerials. This gives a simple explanation of the very high aerial giving such good reception. and the superiority of the outdoor one. It very likely explains poor daylight reception, also, as this free charge in the air reaches a maximum about four hours after sunset, and gradually lessens to a minimum at dawn. Though not affecting the receiving aerial very much, this would increase the free charge on the transmitting aerial considerably, as It is hlgh up. Consequently, the transmitting station itself is the real °!, POOr da y !i sht reception. I confidenUy predict the converting of ocr,/ atmospheric charge into an aerial ™nning through the vllve lv tun ’ ng coU, to help the . a °°f the physics books aleffiecuf/t^ 6 7// rse '- 1 ’ stupid and less enectite way of doing this. A. CHAPPLE. HOARDING TROUBLE Sir.— ~ lowed to°si/n!-T? le Why flrms a te alMmmmm wit/' 1 ’ a Pl? Ce tllat ' svas once bristlin" h rural beauties. Early on the morm (Continued in next columr)

ing following my arrival, I started out on a “do-you-remember?” tour, my mind gently attuned for idle reminiscence. I discovered that the creek where I had been accustomed to stage thrilling and entirely unauthorised aquatic sports meetings has been concreted over and a notice advising the l use of Bone’s Quiver Pills has been erected above it. All through the vai* ley I find these obtrusive notices rear* ing their monstrous heads. My brother and I once ran races between tha signpost at the crossroads and the second hay stack on the left. At least rethought we did, but I now discover that we tied from “Nine Out of Every Ter. Have It.” and our goal was “Bink - Bloater Paste.” Everywhere I wen: happy memories were brushed rule.:' aside in this way. I found that the top of the hill where the main road wound on to mysterious places, then quite unknown to me, advised the traveller to buy a road guide. Not a little ironic:, seemed to me. Behind a hedge wter* I enjoyed, or rather did not en^o?r first cabbage leaf cigar stands a tiw splodge of three primary colours suggesting the delights of smoking Eas.ern incense cigarettes. Will some public-spirited man me the funds to found a “Quieter Co * try Society?” All I require are a dozen axes and some men of Ge - mination- T pn RETURNED TRAVELLED NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENT R.H. (Otuhi). —Regret cannot su?N the information. —Ed. The Sun