Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 807, 30 October 1929, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

BROADCAST OF WRESTLING Sir, — In regard to “Pirate’s” letter criticising: the wireless announcer’s broadcast on wrestling-, it might be better if “Pirate” left his ear-phones alone on such an occasion, and went out to the scene of wrestling, which, from my point of view would not give as much satisfaction as the announcer’s version gives. I consider the announcer is excellent. Pie gives every detail, and the little touches of slang the “Pirate” objects to make the bout more exciting to listeners-in. Broadcasting Sunday school services and wrestling bouts are two entirely different things. EARPHONES. HIGHER TRAM FARES . So tranl faces are to be raised' Living four sections out, this will make a difference to my outings. As it is it is quite expensive travelling if one has to change trams. One and twopence return, just to pay a little visit to a friend in the Dominion Road district, not to mention a ten-minutes’ walk to the tram. As far as 1 am concerned, a woman's place will certainly be in the home until I save enough to take a taxi when I want to go out with my young children. As to the convenience of the trams: Having travelled in Wellington for a considerable period, with children, I can say that as far as mothers are concerned, Auckland trams and services are unwieldy. Wellington trams are easy to get into; at least there isn’t far to go to get a seat if a seat is vacant; fares are low, and there is a flat rate of one penny for children. No inspectors ask ages and no mothers try to hide their children. Should you find space for this piece of resentment it will be my first offence, though my fingers have itched before to do the same. DISHEARTENED AND DISGUSTED. POLITICS AND SALARY CUTS After the well stage-managed function on Saturday evening, the Post .md 1 elegraph Officers’ Association is left almost as-you-were in respect to

salary cuts. Members received no satisfaction from the Minister of Health, a gesture of empty sympathy from the member for Waitemata—whose party had five years to restore the cuts—and a mere platitude from the Leader of the Labour Party. Mr. H. E. Holland promised the civil servants justice when the Labour Party became the Government. The Labour Party must decide what is justice when it gets there. But the Post and Telegraph Officers, assuming that they would get the cuts restored in spite of the assurance of the Secretary of the Department that it was mechanically impossible, cheered the Labour Leader to the echo. I would prefer something more definite from politicians before I would pledge my support to anyone upon an important issue of this kind. We have seen the predicament which the Post-master-General has created for himself by promising to fight for the restoration of the cuts. And we have seen so many other promises shattered, that my faith in politicians and parties has almost completely disippeared. J. T. MOTORISTS AND DRINK Sir.— Your correspondent “Motorist” urges that we do not go too far in regulating the private habits of motorists. There is no wish to interfere with the private habits of motorists, provided those habits do not endanger the welfare and safety of others; b;jt that is just the point. A motor-car is a highly dangerous tning if not properly controlled, and a menace to all persons using the highways. Alcohol quickly affects the judgment of those drivers who drink. No one would wish to travel in a train driven by an engineer under the influence of liquor, but a motor-car on the open road is much more subject to accident, and if the driver is even slightly intoxicated the car becomes a menace to all in its vicinity. A motorist’s private habits are a matter of public concern if thev menace tlie safety of others, and if he is unwilling to curtail dangerous habits, interference becomes necessaryin the interests of the community. The numerous crashes with loss of life for which liquor has been responsible should

compel authorities to exercise discretion in granting licences to drive a motor-car, and should require motorists to refrain from drinking when thev intend, subsequently, to drive. LOUIS E. FALKXER. AUSTRALIA’S BAN ON “BLACKMAIL” Sir. Being interested in the oncoming Di-itish film industry, I am curious to know the real reason of Australia’s recent ban on “Blackmail,” admittedly Britain s leading film to date. “Black--5?~. , llas been acclaimed by the British and even American—Press, as tile linest, talkie yet produced, not the slightest reference ever having been made to any objectionable or immoral incident in the film. Now, sir, if such % ,?. i 5 does not shock the susceptibilities of the critical English public, it is ridiculous to assume such would be the case in a worldly country like Australia. Therefore, there must be a deeper reason for the ban than so has appeared on the surface. As a British subject, it is grilling: for me to consider the possibility that Blackmail ’ may also be banned in New Zealand, and, if it is I think it high time the public took a hand in affairs. As a regular picturegoer. I ask why we should ban a picture which represents British industry. Britain, after all, is our mainstay. I hope that others will take up the cudgels on Britain’s behalf that we may bo privileged to see what is reputed to bo a remarkably fine film. TALKIE FAX. NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENT ‘’Puzzled. " —You do not. siipplv vonr name and address.—Ed. The Sun.