Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 874, 18 January 1930, Page 8

Citizens Say —

CHINESE FAMINE RELIEF Sir. — As a reader of your paper, it occurred to me that it would he a good thing if The Sun opened up a subscription list for the Chinese who are starving in the famine district, and I herewith enclose a sum for that object. GOLDEN RULE. The Sun will be pleased to acknowledge any subscriptions sent, as suggested by our correspondent, for the relief of famine victims in China. “Golden Rule’s’’ donation has been posted to the Rev. W. Mawson, 10- Pencarrow Avenue, Mount Eden, who will forward it to the International Famine Relief Commission operating from Shanghai.— Ed., The Sun. PARTY “BOSSES” Sir,— There is a valuable lesson to be learned from the political sensation which has engrossed so much attention this week. It is that New Zealand politics may be drifting into the state which has made American politics a by-word all over the world. I refer to the machine system and the insidious power of the party “boss.” As Lord Bryce points out in his “Modern Democracies,’’ the policy of a party in office in a British community is laid down by the Prime Minister and his Cabinet, who are responsible to Parliament and through Parliament to the electors. As a contrast, under the American system, Parliamentary leaders are but puppets who perform at the dictates of the “boss and the "wirepullers,” who are responsible to no one but their own clique. Who then controls the policy of the New Zealand Government at present? The Prime Minister of the day and his colleagues in Parliament, or the professional organiser, who, according to the principles of British constitutional practice, holds no public office and has but one vote which, when deposited in the ballot-box, is of no more value than yours or mine? It behoves the electors of New Zealand to wake up, and by getting into touch with their local members of Parliament to make sure that their politics are not dominated by a coterie hitherto working behind the scenes. J. 11. PENNIKET. WAR IN SAMOA Sir, — Surely there must be a better way of settling the trouble in Samoa than sending the biggest warship New Zealand has and landing the marines with no doubt all their implements of war —rifles, bayonets, machine-guns, etc. — to chase and capture frightened natives who are running for their lives

(To the Editor.)

and who —brave men though they are —can hardly be expected to put up a fight with their sticks and. stones. I wonder if Great Britain ever took on such a one-sided struggle. Nine natives lost their lives, including the High Chief Tamasese, loved by all who knew him as a fine Christian gentleman. Forty to 50 Samoans were wounded. I hope they are receiving every care. There was only one casualty on the other side —the death of a constable. So far the victory is ours. I feel sorry for those Samoans and am wondering what is happening to their wives and children. It’s an awful thing, Mr. Editor, and I’m sure there must have been many white eye-witnesses who could tell us the truth about the last encounter and let us see the whole thing as it actually was. I have read in tonight’s paper the first news we have had from one who was there and saw what happened. If the story is true, a halt should be called before any more blood is shed, and the blame should be put on the shoulders of those who caused the trouble. S.R.B. 17/1/30. THE CITY’S WORST ROAD Sir. — Should The Sun be contemplating the offer of a prize to the reader who can nominate the city thoroughfare which is most in need of repair. I desire to enter Cleveland Street. Parnell, far the bad road championship. The journey between the city and Point Resolution by the ramshackle buses employed by the City Council is the last word in discomfort. Why do the spiritless residents of Parnell put up with it? What about an indignation meeting in Parnell Park, followed by a deputation to the City Council demanding redress? Incidentally, why is the council taking such an unconscionable time to complete the Gladstone Road extension, and open it for traffic? BUMPS. THE GENEVA CABLE Sir. Many renders were surprised at the Geneva cablegram, which seems to have arrived here on January 14, conveying a message in which M. Procope, Finnish Foreign Minister on the Mandate Commission, and the League Council itself, congratulate the New Zealand Administration on the admirable way it had handled the Samoan question. The general opinion is one of amazement at the view the council lias adopted. If the cablegram is correct, the council is obviously misinformed. Doubt has been raised as to the authenticity of the cablegram itself, and 1 find that no New Zealand paper definitely publishes Uie name of

the correspondent or association bf whom AL Procope’s report was cabled. Southern papers indicate that the final sentence, in which the Leslie Council itself conveys its congratulations, was sent separately by tr.e United Press Association some time after the Procope cablegram, but this distinction was not made locally. Minister's message meanwhile remain shrouded in a mystery which the local blue-pencil censorship on bamoa affairs further intensifies. , r „ the arrival of Australian journals wiu throw further light on the “fabiegram mystery, if it is such. p BROADCASTING Sir, — lYA’s efforts that are put over tne air to the public, bar occasional hours, are paltry to the last degree. On an average of about one hour a we * every item is good, but the balance not worth listening to. , This opinion is not shared only J myself. I tave a wireless set at tearooms, i the beach at Md f » which can be heard plainly by tn* passing public, and when one of tno rare occasions arise, and plea music is being transmitted, the pu delights to listen, but 99 times out w 100 they just listen a minute tn walk on. One item that attracted held the people was played last e day night, “Abide With Me. last Wednesday night the music was excellent. But why these pleasant occasions t* e sporadic? Another item I ar J] p " five could be cut in half is ‘\>ew from seven 'lo eight. In Sydneyminutes is more than sufficient, espe daily through the summer when most people are out of door • IXA can rest assured that it ° not encourage subscribers when ru bish is put over the air, but ire ~ n| i the fluke happens and pleasant ai interesting items are being trawUPjg ted, the public makes inquiries, . savs how it has appreciated the S fare. If 2YA cun give entertafcWta music every afternoon and eve , n _ J ,j surely IYA can compete with, outclass, the Wellington station. derella and her uncles have an ev night following, and they give m amusement to the youngsters. GERALD L. STEAD--16/1/30.