Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 742, 15 August 1929, Page 8

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

NO MORE WAR

Sir,— I wonder if “Mother of Six” is in her right mind. “War.” The very name gives me a feeling of horror and, thank goodness, there are many more of my mind. I did not bring my sons into this world to be blown to pieces or crippled by men that probably never set eyes on them, or even knew they existed. I have trained them to live a clean, healthy life, help their fellow men, not murder them. Why should there be wars? They are not all marching to a brass band, and cheers. There are not many cheers for our disabled soldiers now! Those who cause the wars in the future, thanks to our Air Forces, will have to face the explosives, as well as the boys in the thick of it. That is one cheerful thought. There will be no such thing as a safe easy chair. Away with wars! All to do with them should be crushed! AN ENGLISHWOMAN.

CORRECT SPEECH

Sir. — Who started all the pother about accents anyway? Especially the socalled American accent. As if one accent, more or les, mattered. Why England is a welter of accents. Indeed, it would be a blessing if the American, or any other accent, succeeded in ousting the polyglot jargons that make of Britain a sort of modern Babel. With a standardised accent the Tynesider could make himself understood by the Cornishman and vice versa. Again, natives from the wilds of Dublin and Edinburgh when visiting London could enjoy the latest metropolitan stage success without the services of an interpreter to elucidate the throaty bieatings of English stage stars. I agree, however, with those -who oppose introducing into the English language slang such as “guy.” That’s an awful name to call a man. And 1 feel sure that if Americans only knew how much nicer “bloke” or “joker” sounds they would quit using it. REFANED.

NATIVE PLANTS AT THE MUSEUM

Sir,— All lovers of nature in New Zealand will be glad to learn that it has been decided to make a display of native plants in the museum grounds. It has not been publicly mentioned that this was the cherished hope of

DEFENDING THE HOME

the late Mr. Cheeseman, who, appreciating the beauty and distinctive character of our New Zealand flora, realised that such a collection of our really little known New Zealand plants would both afford education to local residents and be an attraction to every tourist passing through Auckland There is no reason why any forest trees should be planted, so as to detract from the appearance of the building later on. And the argument that much of our best flora would not stand the exposed position or the Auckland climate is not a strong one. The plantlover gets to know the essential requirements of his treasures, and learns to overcome difficulties. Most people might consider it useless to attempt growing such handsome ferns as the Prince of Wales’s Feather and the still more delicate hymenophyilum pulcherrimum in an Auckland garden yet I have grown both in the middle’ of an open grass plot. Our incomparable tree ferns alone would add immensely to the appearance of the memorial building. F. R. FIELD.

Sir.— ~.“”5 ‘ he la-te war a Wellington man ™“ arked to me: "Yes, I lost three sons. proud of u -” At that time he, t°" b ' es f a strong patriot, might have this t hh. t lr W ? y: but , probably after all this bickering and argument about conscientious objection and conscription. he views his loss in a different light. Mother of Six” might vet have a f„ han ,: :e to see her sons fighting and dj ing for the country, as well as for the benefit of the cons'eieutious shirkers and profiteers. She should not despair Mr. E. Stevenson, in effect, defends a I made in a previous letter: that a tteeks drill, under efficient offiorat’ W ; OUld put all eli gible men in fit mu" !°, r War slau «thter. This compulsory training causes much unnecesM.ry- heartburning, needless expense to the men. and is a waste of public I ™? n ?U , A gentleman who has been privileged to read "All Quiet on the . Fr ? nt ” tells me there is ln It to make a fuss about.” Mother of Six” can now cool off and meditate calmly about coaching her sons for the next war. e UNCLE JIM.

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENT

"Citizen and Ratepayer.”—Your letter if I J, nt J restin sr but opens up a wide The Sun acrimonious debate.—Ed.