Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 780, 28 September 1929, Page 10

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

INCOMES FOR THE AGED Sir,— I would propose a scheme for superannuation. I would suggest that every man and woman, boy and girl earning wages put into- a fund 3d a week from their wages up to the age of 50. When they came to the age of 60, they would receive a self-earned pension for life. The present Old Age Pension system benefits only a few. Let the Government pay into the fund 3d for each 3d contributed, ajid make the scheme compulsory right through the Dominion. It would make us feel that life was worth living to the end instead of having nothing to look forward to. This is a young country and it would be well if we helped ourselves to prosperity and tried to keep the sun shining all the time. OLD NEW ZEALANDER. SHOOTING ESCAPED PRISONERS Sir, — In their agitation against the prison system that allows shots to be fired at escaping prisoners, your correspondents have viewed the position from a one-sided and unpractical angle. The common-sense position is that each prisoner knows full well the. danger of an attempted escape. He knows guns are waiting to shoot him down if he makes a break. If he takes the risk it is “his funeral.” Is it to be suggested that a householder is. brutal if he knocks on the head a marauder prowling about his home? We should thank the powers for good, stout prison walls and the guns of the warders. JIM BLUNT. THE SHOOTING OF BUCKLEY Sir, — I would like to point out to vour correspondents that Buckley undoubtedly knew the rules of the prison, and his position today can be attributed only to his own folly. Further, I think the promptitude of the warder on the watch-tower was commendable, for even with the law on his side to have to “wing” a fellow-man is not altogether

in keeping with any man’s wishes. But for the quick decision of the above officer who, it must be remembered, called a warning, a desperate man would have been at large, for how long cne cannot say, but with the previous escape in mind it may have been long enough for him to cause, at least, endless anxiety. In reference to prison reform I venture to say that no matter what trust and leniency be extended to some tvpes of prisoner the hand that fed them would most certainly get bitten, and the reformations would be reckoned in decimals. I have by me a copy of the Regina “Daily Mail,” in which is a report stating “that a trio convicted of robbery and attempted robbery, were sentenced to terms ranging from two to two and a-half years, each to receive eight lashes. Man can endure snubs and sneers, but when it comes to his body being subjected to plivsical pain there is a deterrent feature introduced at once. A child will disobey knowh)g that the punishment consists of being put to bed, but substitute the good old razor strap, or in these days of safety razors, dad’s slipper and mother’s darling will ponder on the subject and decide against the contemplated rebellion. In conclusion I must say my sympathies are en - tirely with the warders and the nursing staff of "one.” OMAC. BACHELOR FLATS Sir, Your correspondent, Mrs. R. Watson, does not stick to th© point. The questton under discussion is the desirability or otherwise of the erection of bachelor flats in the heart of the citv, to be occupied by members of either sex. The question was a straight-out one between the council and the promoters when Mrs. Watson wandered in with irrelevant information as to what Is done in other kinds of fiats in c . oun tri es - She mentions fiats at Tooting, with four bedrooms. What has this to do with bachelor flats, and what does a bachelor want with four bedrooms? Let us stick to th© point—bachelor fiats for both sexes In th© heart of the city. Will Mrs. Watson produce her credentials for her authority

to speak on tills question. What is her experience—which is the keyt -V----of the whole question—(a) of the wor> ing conditions of the heart of the citv' from actual contact—not hearsay? Has she lived in the locality? (b) Has she ever managed, or controlled bachelor apartments? If so, was it recently, under the present fast conditions of living? Has she lived, cleaned, washed, repaired, renewed and scrubbed in such establishments ? (c) Has she met the “glided youth” of today who travels ■with his gramophone, his “lady friend’ and his motor-car, and who is very partial to ‘bachelor flats” if he ran get a footing? I claim that Mrs. Watson, living at St. Heliers Bay, with commendable and philanthropic ideals, rannot have the same intimate knowledge of the question as a humble “landlady,” whose very livelihood depends upon her discretion, discrimination, and experience. This is what count s. “Landlady” regrets that for business reasons she must remain anonymous. Jaz* parties in bachelor apartments are. unfortunately, not a stretch of distorted imagination, but actual fact, and if Airs. Watson really knew anything about tlie matter she would be the first to recall some of her utterances. So far as “Landlady” Is concerned this correspondence is now closed. THE LANDLADY WHO KNOWS.