Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 882, 28 January 1930, Page 8

Citizens Say

PLUMBERS’ CHARGES Sir, — The Light Brigade is not in it with some plumbers when it comes to charging. I had a small plumbing job that needed doing so left word with a tradesman. The job consisted of renewing the white lead round the edge of the kitchen sink, . also soldering three joints on a 2-inch flue pipe in position on a gas cooker. Now this is a job suitable for any improver getting at the outside 2s 6d an hour, and two hours “from bank to bank” would give the worker time for a smoke and to find his tools, so that a fair estimate for labour, allowing the employer 10 per cent, would be, say, 6s. As for materials, three lbs. of white lead at 7d would cost Is 9d, and a half lb. good quality solder, lid. Total 8s Bd. This is approximately what the job is worth, but I would not be writing to warn others if the account had been for 10s or even for 15s, but the account I received from the plumber in question was for £1 ss. On inquiry I was told that the “boss” himself had done the job and that it had occupied him for four hours (official time) and that his time cost 5s an hour! EPSOMITE. PRISON ROUTINE Sir,— The average Aucklander cares little for the welfare of a prisoner once ho passes behind the big gate at Mount Eden Brison. However, those who do give a second thought to their unfortunate brethren behind the. bars may agree with me when I say that

(To the Editor.)

several drastic reforms are urgently needed there. The cells, which are cold, damp and draughty, and in semidarkness, are not fit to house prisoners, especially first offenders, and those much-to-be-pitied men, some very young, doing time for arrears of maintenance. The “menu” there is an everlasting repetition of porridge, rice, stew and dry bread. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, at four o’clock, while the sun Is still high in the sky. the prisoners are herded back into their cells, and there they are cooped up from 16 to 18 hours without food or exercise until the doors are unlocked next morning. This sort, of treatment makes a prisoner bitter, with a grudge against the world and a desire to be revenged. The prisoners themselves have aptly described this cold iron-barred stone relic of the bad old days as a “criminal factory.” TWENTIETH CENTURY. REMEDIES Sir,— I note that our departing GovernorGeneral. Sir Charles Fergusson, has suggested holding an "all-in-the-job” conference on the subject of unemployment. In all probability I shall not be invited, so I venture to make public one or two remedies or suggestions which may be helpful to the delegates when considering this matter. In “Farming First” for September 1929, the Country Party’s journal asserts that labour-saving appliances do not diminish employment, although It admits that an increased output may tempor(Continued in next column.)

arily dislocate industry. I would suggest then that we extensively import and invent and use labour-saving devices. This should be a great help. Suggestion No. 2 is inspired by the same journal:—Abolish the protective tariff wall and import manufactured goods in larger qauntities. This will put more people on the land (or under it or in the sea) and give increased employment for coroners and policemen. to say' nothing of jurymen and reporters. The licensing of bookmakers would also relieve the situation by increasing the money invested both in and on horse racing. A greater number of persons would be “making hay while the sun shines” (on their heads) than there are at present- In fact if every' other day were a race day the hours of labour would be curtailed and productive effort would thus spread among a greater number of persons. Need I add that this proposal opens up a short cut to wealth and would be extremely popular even for recipients of charitable aid. Another suggestion I would make is that the number of M.P.’s should be doubled, even if the honorarium was halved, and elections held every' year, or halfyear. This would employ a crowd. It might even lead to the publication of more newspapers and the creation of parties who would prefer politicxl honesty to rhetorical bluff. PRO BONO PUBLICO. BROADCASTING ARTISTS Sir, It was so refreshing to read the letter on “Better Broadcasts” by “Disgruntled” that I hasten to support it. Since fairly recent changes in management. the programmes from IYA hav# been better and names of fresh artist* appear. But there are many other competent soloists who w'ould welcome engagements. Some are still awaiting long-promised replies to their applications; others will not run the risk of similar treatment. I understand there is a "Listeners’ League.” If so» ** should obtain names of artists who desire to broadcast and endeavour to secure engagements for them. This would certainly be one way of getting better broadcasts. GENUINE. IS CANCER HEREDITARY? Sir.— Recently in The Sun T read wi l * much interest a report made by hn English cancer commission which discussed the value of radium treatment. It informed me that cancer was no* hereditary. If this is true it is indeed good news. But is it true? WithJ®* 1 due respect to the testimony of medical experts I venture to suggest that the past has indicated most strong that cancer is hereditary. In instance after instance within my knowledge the disease has run in families. Possibly—and again I stress my lay viewpoint—these experts are quibbling J® the extent of referring to cancer * n itself and not to the c onditions and circumstances which produce the If certain favourable conditions an circumstances encourage cancer. then it is reasonable to assume that the. will be experienced by and inculcatso in the members of one genealogy** line. Jf the commission has not take these into account it cannot be claimed that, in the practical ing of the term, cancer is not herwP tary, _