Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 648, 27 April 1929, Page 10

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

ANZAC DAY Sir, — As an old Anzac I would say that the only way in which Anzac Cay can truly be sanctified is not to slaughter, which is only mockery, but to life and the preservation of peace, which alone can make life worth while. This day of all others should be devoted to the spreading of the doctrine of peace. It should be used to strengthen peace, and thereby to prevent war. The day should be a day of education in the sanctity of all life. R. M. THOMSON. CRUELTY TO HORSES Sir, — I would like to draw your attention to a scene witnessed by me in Symonds Street on Thursday. A horse was being flogged l?y a Hindu, The animal was skin and bone and decrepit with age. It was unable to pull an empty cart up a slight incline, without being flogged. I wish an inspector of the S.P.C.A. had been present. It is revolting that aged horses should be treated like this. I would suggest that licences should not be granted to those who drive and illuse horses that are not capable of doing their work. A LOVER OF HORSES. CHINA’S TROUBLES Sir, — As “B” says, “Charity begins at home.” Yes. and I say it should end there. China’s troubles, like those of other nations, arise from economic causes, and can only be remedied by social changes. No one desires charity, but all desire work, and if all were employed in sensible, useful production, and if there were no wanton waste or useless, senseless destruction, there would be unstinted abundance for all, and the need for charity and the causes of war would both disappear. I’ve never heard the inhuman expression that “B” quotes and will administer a sharp rebuke if ever I do hear it. W.P. THE ARBITRATION COURT Sir.— Your leading article in Tuesday’s paper on unemployment is the best that I have read for a long time; in fact, The Sun seems to be the only paper that gives us any light at the present time. I notice that some of the candidates for the Mayoralty are very optimistic of the future. Their idea seems to be to borrow money to find work for the unemployed. In the past these methods have only intensified the trouble. The Arbitration Court, and preference to unionists, are, to my mind, the causes, and until we go back to about the 1914 position we will keep on draining the country districts of the labour that should be employed there. Since these relief works have been started in Auckland the number of unemployed has been growing all the time. It is no use blaming immigration for the trouble. I remember 35 or 40 years ago, when immigrants were arriving in large numbers, things were never better in New Zealand. They caused more work to be done, and more

money to be circulated, but wages did not kill all investments in those days. I notice that the head of the present Government proposes to buy estates that are now producing beef and wool and to put out-of-work men on them. But that is not the kind of settlement we require. We don’t want a repetition of the Seddon Government’s policy in buying estates at a high figure and then passing it on at a peppercorn rent, some for 999 years. We are too intelligent now for that sort of thing. SETTLER. TAKAPUNA MAYORALTY Sir, — Mr. J. W. Williamson’s assertion that I was an obstructionist while on the council is contrary to fact. On the contrary, the council minutes will show that I originated and forced through, against opposition, schemes for the welfare of the borough which were subsequently endorsed and carried by the ratepayers at loan polls. Although I was not a member of the council in 3 927 and 1928, I assisted ■v# y materially to relieve the unemployment in Takapuna in those years, as Mr. Williamson before this election loomed admitted—with regard to 1927 —at a public meeting held in Devonport. I also organised parties to relieve distress in the district. The relieving of unemployment and distress is not “obstruction,” and Mr. Williamson should remember that fact. ALEX. H. WILKIE. PLAYING FIELDS Sir, — In reading your paper I noticed that there is an inadequacy of playing areas lor winter sports in Auckland. It becomes more serious each year. I was wandering over the Takapuna Jockey Club’s property yesterday and I noticed a fine area right in frbnt of the concrete terraces and grandstand; a piece of land that would make three good playing fields for hockey, cricket, football or any other games—at very little cost. I think a strong body of sportsmen should wait on the Jockey Club and offer to pay for the use of the grounds. I think the suggestion would be favourably considered. It seems a pity to see such fine grounds not being utilised. TRUE SPORT. NEW ZEALAND’S WELCOME Sir, — I sincerely hope I shall not be mistaken for one who seeks to cry the praises of a country whose acquaintance I have made so recently as a few days ago. On the contrary, I write not in praise of New Zealand, but in fairness to it. Last Tuesday’s issue of The Sun contained a criticism of New Zealand of an extremely acrid and unpleasant nature, written by an Australian journalist. Highly indignant at the formalities he was subjected to before being allowed to enter this country, he writes caustically about them on his return to Australia. h n rt i Sad thing about his impressions K«?^®?sf Uch that they are dishonest, l hey are indignant. Bristling with inaccuracies, the statement of Perfi Thi “ obs . erver " call, for cor- , The declaration form submitted to visitors to New Zealand

which has been likened to a third decree interrogation by the Australian critic, requires only the briefeet of information, and is intended primarily to facilitate the work of the censustaker. The names of the passengers parents, and the particulars of his children, unless they are travelling with him, are not demanded, as erroneously stated in Tuesday’s article. But perhaps the most glaring of the untruths is that a declaration of loyalty is required of the visitor. As clearly indicated on the printed form, the affirmation of loyalty is to be taken only by those persons who are not British subjects. The Customs Department does not escape from censure. Impolite and boorish he finds the Customs men, and disturbingly inquisitive as they swarm about the visitor and his luggage. After all, the Customs officers are human. Recalcitrant travellers must not expect the same courtesy that is meted out to their more docile and complaisant brethren. Unless my own experience Is other than typical, the officers are courteous and energetic fellows, performing a necessary duty in a very tactful manner indeed. Accepting my assurance that 1 carried nothing of a dutiable nature, the officer made no examination of my luggage when I arrived by the Maunganui from Sydney a few days ago. Perhaps my hard but honest face contributed to my immunity from search. ALLAN CABELL-