Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 867, 10 January 1930, Page 8

Citizens Say —

SUBURBAN RAILWAYS Sir, —- The Government outcry against motor competition would lead to the belief that everything would be done to hold what they still possess. But what can one think of the site chosen for the new Auckland Railway Statioti (Change here for Parnell)? The thousands of suburban passengers who will still come through the tunnel must be worthy of consideration, and it should be a simple matter to provide a “suburban platform” at Breakwater Road. Many wonder why the goods shed could not have been located farther east, and the main station at Breakwater Road; but as that cannot now be done, it behoves the railway authorities to take care lest they lose all passenger traffic from Newmarket, Remuera, Ellerslie, Penrose and the Onehunga fine. As a season ticket-holder, I commend to the Railway Department the idea of a Breakwater Road platform for the arrival of morning suburban trains, and for evening departures. C. 11. JONES. Auckland. DOWN AND OUT MISSION Sir, — Would you kindly oblige me by giving me space in your paper to warn the public against certain people collecting clothes and money; also selling goods in support of the Down and Out Mission, Albert Street. I am informed that this is being done without my authority. F. WILLIAMS. THE TOTALISATOR Sir,— I should like to ask through your columns the reason the totalisator was kept open at the Auckland Trotting Club’s last meeting in many cases long after the advertised time, especially as they have a notice in their race cards as follows: —“The totalisator will definitely close at the official time.” This is breaking faith with a great section of the public and incidentally is inviting a public demonstration. I heard many adverse criticisms on their action in this respect, and to say it mildly, it was a very undignified proceeding practically to tout for investments. STANBOROUGH. This letter was referred to Mr. A. G. Mabee, secretary of the Auckland Trot-

(To the Editor.)

ting Club, who said that circumstances warranted the club’s holding open the totalisator after the advertised starting time. He mentioned that owing to three presentations made on the opening day of the recent meeting the events were a few minutes behind schedule. This affected the totalisator to a certain degree. The public is in the habit of placing its bets at the last minute, and obviously this does not assist the management when an unavoidable delay has occurred.—Ed. The Sun. THE FISCAL ISSUE Sir, — A lot of palpable liumbug is preached about shutting out imports of manufactured goods and thereby increasing local employment in the lines affected. It is claimed by a lot of people (some of them interested parties) that such a policy would cure unemployment. The argument is specious, and a fillip might be given to trade in the first instance, but the ultimate effect would be to reduce employment and add to our social production troubles. If tariff walls are a remedy for unemployment, how is it Germany has 2,200,000 workless, and 1,600,000 on the dole (vide recent cable) ? How is it America owns up, through its Labour Department, to 4,000,000 (more even than there are in England in proportion to the population), and other estimates add another million to the figures? Surely when unemployment runs riot through Protectionist and Free Trade countries alike, people should realise that the problem lies deeper than the fiscal issue of “tariffs for revenue only’’ or “tariffs for blockading purposes.” Free Trade must be carried to its logical conclusion, i.e., free trade in land. Therein lies the sovereign remedy for unemployment. Other socalled remedies are will-o’-the-wisps. ECONOMIC STUDENT. TRAM PASSENGERS’ RIGHTS Sir, — Your correspondent “Citizen,” who wrote under the above heading in The Sun, is obviously ill-informed on his subject. He asks: “Has the council no power to stop this?” and “Why permit it?” The writer has always understood that it is an offence to pass a stationary tram, except at a terminus and even then to pass cautiously, as a “citizen” may leap off without taking the precaution to look behind, relying only on his trust in Providence and four-wheel brakes. Perhaps “Citizen” has alighted from

his tram before the appointed stop and been nearly “gathered up” by a motorist endeavouring to overtake the tram to avoid having to make yet another stop himself. Driving behind a Herne Bay tram from the Three Lamps to West End Road about eight stops have to be observed, and with men like “Citizen” hanging half off, ready to jump before the tram stops, it is enough to keep motorists on the lookout. Probably “Citizen” does not drive himself, or he would look at the other side of the case. The writer asks him if he ever stands on the road between the tram tracks and the kerb waiting for his tram, when it is not yet in sight? Also, if he looks savagely at every motorist who dares to try to thread his way past, little thinking that by his foolish action he is making the motor driver liable for rnanslaughter if an accident occurs? oula “Citizen” tell us why a considerate council erects shelters and seats for waiting tram passengers? Perhaps he is too anxious to get to business or to grab a seat in the tram to wait at the proper place. The person who risks his life while waiting for a tram is quite likely to risk it again when he is alighting. In closing, just a word of thanks to our courteous conductors and motorir.en, who know that the great majority of motorists obey the stop rule, and spare a glance through the window to beckon on a waiting motorist. AUTOSENSE. NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENT S.A.—Your letter, which seems to have been written by two persons, alternately, has no signature and nH address.—Ed., The Sun.