Citizens Say-

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 777, 25 September 1929, Page 8

Citizens Say-

(To the Editor.)

ORATORY Six-, —- four correspondent “Keen” would have little difficulty in finding suppox-t for his ■contention that the standai'd of debating and oratoi-y has fallen to deplorable low levels in New Zealand. It seems that public debates at the moment are regai-ded, more or less as opportunities for the display of cheap wit, while even among our public speakers there is little sign of oratory in its true sense. I notice that the Auckland Competitions Society has included one or two classes for public speakers in the schedule for the forthcoming competitions; let us hope that the society, by its rules regulating the classes and the type of subjects set, \ VI t, * 1 ° way to lifting oratory in plane an<3 ’ &t least ’ to a sli Shtly higher OUR NATIVE RACE e lia.ve heard, a very great deal ! recently about the employment of Sirls by Chinese gardeners, and I understand an inquiry has been held on the subject, though so far I have not seen any publication of the result In a letter on this subject, I read that ny the Maori men allowing their womenfolk to work for Chinese, the writer considered the Maori, by such acquiescence, acknowledged the Chinese his master! I notice in Auckland and also in \\ ellingrton the fruit and vegetable trade of these cities mav be said to be entirely in the hands of the Chinese (with a few street stands run by other Asiatics). This fact gives reason for thought with none too cheerful deductions! Had the Maori “iris in question, I wonder, any choice as to their employers? I am very certain that had work been offered the grirls by European gardeners they would in all probability have preferred it. I fear I think it somewhat of a slur on the community that the employment of Maori women should, apparently, be left to the Chinese. If these girls seek outdoor work, why not have them trained as gardeners women gardeners have become quite a vogue in the Old Country. In point of

fact, a friend of mine some years ago brought out from England a. woman gardener, who was in the position of head gardener above three men. I read that there is employment to be given Maori men on farms; why not women also? Lifo in the open country is evidently the life for the Maori. Why not help them to it. I think its up to us who inhabit this beautiful Maoriland to give a helping hand to the people who knew and loved their country from the beginning. The Maori race is so fine. The Maoris are artistic, poetical, and generally brainy, as their magnificent orations show ns, but unfortunately they seem grievously wanting in initiative and tenacity, and allow themslvs to be pushed back, and are content to just "live.” Kipling has written a poem, which rather fits in here. I think, satirising the people who are so busy helping others in far-off lands and forgetting to help those around them. There are plenty of colleges and schools in this countrv where our Maori youth, both girls and boys, can be taught to cultivate their minds l and talents, whereby they may be self- | supporting and uphold the honour of their whole race. MAI BURNES-LOUGHNAN. Auckland. HIGH VOLTAGE Sir, I was not a little surprised the other ' evening to read in the columns of one of our daily papers a statement by an eminent authority on electricity that the voltage used here was not too high and was perfectly safe for domestic l purposes; and furthermore, in proof of 1 this, he instanced the high voltage of ’ i, e motor-car as a comparison. Now ■ '' that may sound very satisfactory to : uninitiated, but no one outside • those interested in maintaining the 1 Present voltage would make such a statement. The fact is that 110 volts ■ ls J ll ? 1 .! enou Sh for domestic purposes and -30 volts. as used here, should never be allowed in a private house. There are many reasons in support of mv statements of which the. average . user of electricity is unaware. Loss of ‘' 1- „ by electrocution would bo prac- : i . c ally eliminated, small motors as used ; in Vacuum cleaners, sewing machines.

etc., would last twice as long, as also would lamps, heater elements, etc., to say nothing of the lower cost of installation and liability of tire caused through short circuits. Tile operation of changing the voltage to 110, as above suggested, would be a very simple one. and in the interests of public safety I think it should be done at once. P.W.6. "There appears to be three standard voltages generally* adopted—llo, 125 an t 230,” stated Mr. R. 11. Bartley, general manager of the Auckland Electric-Power Board, to whom the letter was referredThere was much in favour of both tin lower and higher voltage systems, n« said, and on this Issue cnglneeriflS opinions were very divided. The 23® voltage was preferred in Britain. America preferred the 110 and 125 systems. The higher pressure system required more care in handling, ou, fatalities were just as liable to ocecl with the low- pressure, illustrated o? electrocutions at Home, as with the voltage in use here. With the developtnem of electrical apparatus it had been possible to insulate to a greater extent tne. formerly, and this, combined w-lth reduced cost of installation to the t?rsumer and to the supply authorities, n combined to favour the higher pressuns The Government had fixed the vol . F standard for New- Zealand at lights and ton for power After rr _ thorough investigation Wellington now- changing its svstem from !-■' % , to inn volts. Mr. Bartley commerit« that the reference to the high vplt»« of motor-cars was not appliraW'' electric suin.lv, ns the electricity *"L was of a different kind. “Th£ supply pressures as standardised ™ Zealand/* lie say- “are perfect!' and satisfactory, providing tn< 1 f tions and regulations are observedThe Sun.