Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 974, 17 May 1930, Page 8

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

BROADCASTING PLAYS Sir,— The broadcasting of plays has hitherto been an interesting feature of IYA programmes, and other stations have been following the lead given by Auckland. Unfortunately, however, this feature is now being overdone. I refer especially to the presentation of whole-programme plays (three-act plays). For instance, less than three weeks ago we had “Nothing But the Truth,” excellently done, by the way; this week (Friday) we are to have another —a poetic play in three or four acts (a doubtful experiment), and next week another whole-evening play—three of these in about three weeks. A good short play every week would not be out of place, for we could then have musical items on the same evening to lend variety and balance to the programme. It is strange that those responsible do not see the wisdom of such a plan. They are now overdoing the thing, and there will be a natural reaction, w r hich will be a pity, as short plays and an occasional long one form an attractive feature on the ail*. WAIKATO. WHY NOT LOTTERIES? Sir,— In times of distress, where urgent measures are required to meet urgent needs, we should consider all ways and means. Unemployment affects everyone directly or indirectly, and many would find work from private individuals, but for lack of funds, ita many cases, again, due to unemployment.

The present crisis calls for a remedy. Charitable aid and Government grants are insufficient. Each town has its quota of men and women needing work, yet hundreds of thousands of pounds continue to go through the totalisator, and thousands of pounds are sent to Australia for sweeps, clearly proving that there is money in the country for such hazards. My suggestion to the Government, as a means of finding cash for unemployment relief, and also to give employment is to allow every town of over 10,000 population to run £IO,OOO lotteries, tickets of 5s each, with a first prize of £5,000, second of £2.000. and third £I,OOO. the Government to supervise

and set out governing rules, and, as its contribution, to provide the tickets,

which could be made up in books of 20. with one extra ticket tor 5 per cent.) for commission in selling. making 42,000 5s tickets in each series—£2.ooo of each series to go to the local unemployment fund. It should be provided that each winner must personally spend 5 per cent, of the prize in giving immediate employment, or hand the amount to the local fund, each municipality to have its own organising committee.

A large number of people unfit for heavy work would at. once find employment in selling tickets, while I feel certain the main cities of New Zealand would subscribe four or five series monthly, and that every town granted a licence would do so at least once monthly. The organising costs to the Government-could be borne bv a share of the present totalisator levy bemg diverted to it. When unemplovment no longer needs support, the amount gamed in this way could go to old age pensions. ACCOUNTANT. “THE JUDGMENT OF SOLOMON” Sir,— ' ,„k°, Kic ‘ a " s tell us that most arguments arise from a misuse of words. The genius of Herbert Spencer is unquestioned and, as Henry George said He is the greatest thinker the world has eter seen.-” (Professor Tyndall termed him “the apostle of the understanding.') But Spencer was not “the lather of the theory of Evolution” and his works prove that he “gathered his glories from other men’s flowers." Xml Adam Smith was not “the father of political economy.” Henry George was o greater" economist than Smith, but U€ don t say that George was ths father of political economy. •Gareless thinking (where dignified sciences such as e\ olwtion and political economy are concerned) is singularly and vulgarlv out of place and is intolerable even in anonymous newspaper correspond - HERBERT MULVIHILL. [The correspondence between Mr. Mulvihill and “King Solomon" is nowclosed.—Ed. The Sun.] THE MAUI FONARE complaining that the position of of the Government

vessel Maui Pomare was not advertised in New Zealand papers, but was mysteriously tilled by a person who was not domiciled in New Zealand, and whom the Government invited from 1 Australia, voices the opinion of many | unemployed local mariners, and also many who are in a position, but would welcome a more comfortable and munerative one. The berth as master , of the Maul Pomare is considered by many of us Xew Zealanders as a plum i worth picking:, and to see a person brought over from Australia to fill th« j vacancy has caused growls from quite a few who are well qualified to fill th» position. I, for one, am well qualifl o ** ' for it and withal am domiciled wit>| a family in Auckland. I never kne*[ a change had been made till a week j after it happened. The mystery baffled all of us and I think some kind of *** explanation should b© given. Pfcrh»£* • when this is given we will under?' and carry on in our humble way hog; ing that some day w© may be fortt?*. ate in being at least considered by o w own Government when a vacancy , curs. Relieving unemployed seems be this Government's only action. "Whr not try preventing it by giving people ' already in tho country preference? SCOW MASTER.

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENT “Teddy OTufr."—T i : d ” v v*. »• i\ . r Th-5 Gun «..!;• tfc. - v. ■'.**& addressed to another newspaper probably in error. It has been torwarded to the addressee. —Ed. The su»» HH