Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 717, 17 July 1929, Page 8

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

COMPULSORY STOPS

Sir, — » I have noticed during the past month that the Railway Department has placed these stops at most level crossings. I think they are there for freeing the department in case of accident more than for the safety of the people. Surely the department does not expect the drivers of vehicles to get out in all weathers and have a look up and down the line? By the time a man had done this and was ready to start again the train could be on top of him. I have seen crossings with proper electricallyoperated warnings. Why can’t these be fitted in place of useless discs? MOTORIST. WOMEN WORKERS Sir,— The unemployment of men is always before our eyes, but no mention is ever made of the struggle that some women have for employment. I have known women to be out for months during the winter, and what they have saved when in employment disappears in a most distressing fashion when they are out of work. It is appalling to think that some women who are comfortably married can be so selfish as to take a position that some lessfortunate person can fill. Owing to other spheres of work failing, I have heard of office girls, teachers, nurses, and married women whose husbands are out of work, all seeking domestic employment; hence some of the advertisements offering work “in return for a good home,” or 10s or 15s a week. How far does that sum go these days, especially when some poor girls have parents to help to support? How can one save for the lean years ahead when working days are done out of such a sum? Therefore, I heartily agree with “Justice” that those employers who dismiss married women who have no need to work (the same should apply to offices also) do deserve a pat on the back for their Christian act to those less fortunate. If others did the same, then many a weary woman's lot would be brightened FAIR PLAY. EARTHQUAKES Sir, It is hardly necessary for me to point out that the recurrence of severe earthquakes at the week-end was in fairly close agreement with my forecast, and that the disturbance came, as I expected it would, from a fresh centre of energy. So the eruption in Cook Strait mystifies our scientists—perhaps because its position shifted! Well, two theories submitted to me I unselfishly pass on to the Pickwick Club. One is that a torpedo has been roaming the oceans since the Battle of Jutland and has at last struck a match that someone has carelessly thrown overboard. The other is that Jonah forgot to put the stove fire out when he vacated his marine flat. But,

I suppose it was after all just the rubbing together of rocks—the old flint and steel business. Anyhow, one theorist earnestly hopes that scientists will get to the bottom of it —I’m not sure whether he meant the rocks or the ocean. Government scientists have repeatedly declared that earthquakes cannot be prognosticated. For years past I have shown that they can. And now we find Dr. Marsden saying in Wellington: “From a calculation of the actions of the sun and moon and other natural forces, strains that set in motion the trigger action that started the ’earthquake can be foretold fairly easily.” One fittingly asks "Then why has Dr. Marsden never foretold them?” Perhaps he will do so now that I have challenged him to pit his forecast against mine. And the remainder of this year offers much material for us to work upon. F. R. FIELD. ! TO DEVELOP INDUSTRY Sir, I have followed with interest your most praiseworthy campaign on behalf of New Zealand-vna.de goods. With you, I am quite convinced that our unemployment problem can only be solved by utilising our own resources. Furthermore, I think that unemployment will grow worse until we do so, and that we should remedy matters now ourselves while we may, instead of trusting in blind futility to the Government to get us out of our troubles. Let us create an association, the members of which pledge themselves: (1) To buy New Zealand-made goods, whenever they can possibly do so; (2) to buy Empire goods if New Zealandmade goods are not available; (3) if it is necessary to buy foreign goods which could possibly be made in New Zealand, to endeavour to arrange that such goods be manufactured here. A committee could be appointed for each district with, say, a central one in Wellington. For the success of such a scheme the co-operation of all sections of the public would be necessary—trade unions, manufacturers’ associations, chambers of commerce, farmers’ associations, retailers, members of local bodies, and the Government. It would be quite a reasonable thing to expect subscriptions from the various organisations which would benefit by the activities of the association, and also subsidies from local bodies and the Government. Such funds would be expended in intensive advertisement, and on a continual stream of propaganda. I am sure Government subsidies for this purpose would do more good for the unemployed than beinrr spent on relief works of doubtful utility. Let us take up this thing, and put our whole hearts into it —no half measures. Let us advertise; let us put on house-to-house canvassers; give retailers lists of members in their localities—in fact, make ourselves feel guilty when we buy foreign goods. Then we shall have educated ourselves into being practical patriots, and also have solved unemployment problems. E.A.