Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 757, 2 September 1929, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

COST OF ELECTRICITY Sir, — A friend from the South Island made to me the other day a remarkable comparison as to the cost of using an electric radiator in Auckland and that for the use of a similar heater in Christchurch. Here, after a careful test by an electrical engineer, the cost worked out at sevenpence an hour as against only lid an hour in the Cathedral City. If this Comparison be accurate, is it not time, sir, that either the Government intervened about the preposterous charge for electricity in Auckland, or someone in authority called on the police? “FLAT.” Approached by a Sun reporter, Mr. R. F. Bartley, general manager of the Auckland Electric-Power Board, said the charge for commercial power in Auckland was a unit, and for domestic purposes ljd a unit.—Editor, Sun. MR. SNOWDEN’S SOCIALISM Sir,— I have no further disagreement with your comments on Mr. Snowden’s actions, or with your footnote to my letters. I set out to show that Mr. Snowden’s actions were a part of his Socialism, and after the second round in the debate, you reply in a footnote “Have it Your Own Way.” In my opinion, that is the correct answer, and in effect it is the same answer as that given by the foreign diplomats to Mr. Snowden at The Hague earlier in the week. They had wanted to claim something which was not rightfully theirs, Mr. Snowden said “No!” They tried to show Mr. Snowden that he was wrong, but he said “No!” again. Then the diplomats said, “Have it your own way!” Mr. Snowden agreed . . . and the Queen of Holland invited them all to dinner. TOM BLOOD WORTH. Trades Hall, August 31, 1929. "SAYING IT WITH STONE” Sir, — The Natal “Mercury” of July 13 last publishes a photograph which may prove of interest to some New Zealanders. It is of a fragment of a slab of stone which was washed up recently on . the Bluff at Durban and is inscribed in the following manner: Laurie Freesh. 41 X.Z. Reinforcements. Gailipoli-Italy. Fourth Nov. 1917. The Come Backs. Twickenham. "Kia Ora Pakeha.” Haeremai ' Tutanekai. Kapai The ‘•Mercury’* evidently mistakes J-ew Zealand for a part of Australia a ßsiimma' that the writine: is the code

of some fraternity. “Perhaps,” it says in reference to the stone, “it is merely the joke of a soldier returning to Australia, but the wording seems to suggest some fraternity formed during the War, and the find might be Laurie Freesh’s novel method of getting in touch with old pals.” The writer has already advised the “Mercury” that the stone bears reference to New Zealand and not to Australia, and that the -wording is in the Maori tongue. If any more news should come to his notice regarding this slab, he will be glad to hear of it and to advise the “Mercury.” ADAM SHIFTER. MR. SNOWDEN Sir,— In a recent leading article, an assertion was made that the Right Hon. Philip Snowden, Chancellor of the Exchequer, was the greatest Socialist of them all. Assertion without evidence is worthless. I assert that there are a great many persons in the Labour movement just as capable of doing business, and just as logical and as great Socialists as Mr. Snowden. Give credit where credit is due. Mr. Snowden was always acknowledged to be a great platform speaker, but platform speaking is not everything. Thirty years ago it was impossible to find the word “Socialism” in a daily newspaper without a sr»eer attached to it. The churches also opposed it bitterly. There were persons in the Labour movement at that time who challenged any member of the House of Commons or the House of Lords to debate the question. Mr. Joseph Chamberlain refused, and Mr. Gladstone said that it had come too late in his life for him to take up its study. I.L.P. OTAHUHU BREWERY Sir,— In your issue of Wednesday, the managing director of the Otahuhu Brewery asks quite a number of questions which I shall have pleasure in answering, if you, sir, will permit me. Referring to the prosecutions of intoxicated motorists, Mr. Coutts asks: “Are the motorists growing thirstier, or are the police very rightly increasing their vigilance against these breaches of the law?” That the prosecutions are increasing is supported by the statements of magistrates who say that fines and other penalties seem ineffective to check the offences. It is also refreshing to find that Mr. Coutts joins me in advocating ternperance. Just another step and he will be a true blue prohibitionist. But I must nroceed to answer his questions.

1. Yes. I believe that motorists, provided that they are not already intoxicated, can steer a straight course past attractive hotel windows, in view of being able to purchase tv- -* gallon kegs at wholesale rates from an open liquor warehouse a little farther on. That they will be able to steer a straight course after imbibing the contents of the kegs I have grave reason to doubt. 2. I am in favour of prohibiting motorists from carrying intoxicating liquor inside when in charge of dangerous high-speed motor-cars on a busy highway. As beer quickly destroys the delicate co-ordination of brain and muscle necessary for safe driving, 1 join with magistrates and doctors in saying that motorists should choose between “booze and benzine.’ The two make a dangerous mixture. 3. I do not agree that four men can drink tw r o gallons of beer in 48 hours (more probably four hours) without harm. Medical science proves that alcohol, even in small quantities, is detrimental to the human organisation. I agree with Mr. Coutts that Parliament is at fault in permitting a Minister to originate a liquor licence without consulting anybody. Now that the application of Mr. Coutts has exposed this wrongful provision, it may be rectified.. I sincerely thank him for calling attention to the matter. Mr. Coutts is not correct in assuming that all would be well in our eyes if he had a tied house connection, but the fact that he has no such connection suggests that he will sell direct to the public. In my innocence I thought that his most fertile field would be the trade with passing motorists, but I confess that I under-rated his opportunities for putting intoxicating liquor into the homes of the people. He may see avenues of trade of which I know nothing. In conclusion, may I again protesagainst the establishment on our main highway of an open warehouse for the sale of intoxicating liquor. LOUIS E. FALKXER. Secretary, New' Zealand Alliance, Auckland Area.