Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 713, 12 July 1929, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

EFFICIENCY AT DRILL Sir, — With reference to my letter and your explanatory note on Compulsory Service in your issue of last Saturday, it is evident that the authorities have the power to enrol young men in the Reserve before tlieir time for active drills and camp has expired. What is not so clear is why some young fellows are thus freed from their last year’s drills and camp, while others are not. I do not think that the exemption can always be in recognition of—or as a reward for —prompt and efficient service, becStise I have in mind the case of a young, man who has been especially distinguished for smartness and efficiency, yet is compelled to go on for another season’s drill and camp, while many of his companions have been exempted. From this and other cases the inference to be drawn is that the thoroughly efficient man is much more likely—because of his efficiency—to have to go on than the less zealous man. VETERAN. REMOVING CHILBLAINS Sir, — Having annually suffered the agony of huge black chilblains, I feel the deepest sympathy with the many sufferers who have recently published their views in the newspapers. Following the suggestion of a friend, I have this season been able to relieve my own suffering and that of other people, and I do not hesitate to recommend a solution of ferrous sulphate. Dissolve a crystal in a little hot water, and while sitting by the fire, apply the liquid, and let it dry for five or ten minutes. Relief will surely result. Repeat the treatment for a few nights, and sufferers will be as grateful as I am for the advice of Mr. F. R. Field. K.M.C. OVER-GOVERNED? Sir, — New Zealand is suffering from overgovernment, too much, officialdom, too much interference with private business and from crushing taxation necessary to maintain the ever-growing army of government inspectors and officials. A person contemplating a start in business is faced by so many restrictions, taxes, fees and what not that he frequently abandons his project in disgust and seeks a “wages job,” only to find that others have done likewise and tha£ there are no jobs offering. Soon we shall all be inspectors and there will be no one left to do the work. An excellent example

of interference with private enterprise was the action of the city council in inducing the Government of the day to give it power to bludgeon privatelyowned buses from the roads —with disastrous results to the citizenry. Private enterprise is still willing to relieve ratepayers and give better and cheaper services. But no. Passengers must not be picked up on the sacred soil where city buses and trams run. I am satisfied that New Zealanders will stand anything after this. E. STEVENSON. TWO JOBS Sir, — There are in this city many employers of labour who employ wives of men earning good money. Nobody knows this better than the man, woman and girl who trudges streets, lanes and roads looking for work. They see for themselves how unjust many employers are, but thank heaven we have one consolation in finding at least two employers sane and just and in this city of Auckland. No. 1 has been a long time waking up to the fact that among his employees were four married women whose husbands were earning £U a week and in permanent jobs. They have gone now. No. 2 had a woman help employed at the house, helping his wife during the last 10 years. The said help was recently married to a man in a good position. She stayed in her former employment. As in case No. 1, truth will out. A woman who was looking for work is now in her place. Such broadminded employers of labour deserve a pat on the back. If wo had a few more like them, perhaps we wouldn’t have so many unemployed. JUSTICE. CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS Sir, — How much longer do those people in New Zea.la.nd who allege themselves to be Christians intend to allow the two young men who are objecting to compulsory military service to be persecuted for daring to practise what they preach? - Richards and Miller are in an unfortunate position. They believe that Christ meant what He said. They believe that the principles He expounded (and died for) were meant, not merely for polite discussion over a cup of tea in the manse, or for windy exegesis from the pulpit, but for practical application. Since only one Christian in fifty, apparently, is honest and brave enough to face the truth, and to share these beliefs, Richards and Miller are left to fight almost single-handed. We have not yet revived the *port, popular In the