Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 980, 24 May 1930, Page 8

Citizens Say —

MISS AMY JOHNSON Sir,— Everyone will be delighted to learn that Miss .Amy Johnson has arrived safely at Timor. The relief that will follow her arrival in Australia will be marked. One can readily imagine the reception that is being prepared for her by the warm-hearted Australians. Might I venture to suggest through your columns that the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. George Baildon, issue a cordial invitation to Miss Johnson to visit Auckland. New Zealand would delight in paying honour to this distinguished and intrepid airwoman. BOADICEA. ‘THIS SHAKESPEARE BUSINESS” Sir, — I have read —without amazement—the Shakespearean fulminations of Geoffrey Wladislaus Potocki de Montalk, formerly a law clerk in Auckland but now an aristocrat in London. Five or six years ago, he said to me here in Auckland: “I am a poet.” I replied that he could hope to get over that, but he said that, thank God (in whom he no longer believes) he never would. I fear that he was right. But could he be asked one question: He says that he wears his heart upon his sleeve; is he sure that it is not his spleen? J.H. HOBSON BAY Sr, — I notice some persons are quietly endeavouring to persuade the City Council to take over from the Harbour Board 100 acres of Hobson Bay and reclaim it for a sports ground. Auckland is particularly well endowed with sports grounds and parks, yet it is proposed to add to these by taking away a further 100 acres from our harbour. I feel sure that if publicity is given to this move that citizens will not allow such encroachment on our already greatly depleted water frontages for the benefit of a few. This portion of Hobson Bay, with its sandy beaches, is a wonderful playground for kiddies, and at high watei attracts people from all parts of the City during the swimming season. As a matter of fact, included in thig 100 acres there is an area of about 20 acres above high-water which should surely satisfy these sportsmen. A suggestion has been made, I believe, to make this part of Hobson Bay a salt water lake with tidal flood gates as at Orakei basin. Costing only a fraction of what would have to be spent on reclamation, such a lake would meet with general approval. Whatever we do it is essentia] now to keep what is left of our water areas intact 15. R. WALKER.

CHEQUES AND FINGERPRINTS Sir, — I was reading an article in your paper of the 21st about ’'Hud Cheque Swindles,” and the part that interested me was the remark by Air. Moseley, &.AT.. that it was a pity some preventive measures could not be used to stop the cheque swindles. The meanare right at hand. I refer to the fingerprint system. It is not at all necessary to use the whole ten fingers. The three middle fingers of, say the right hand, are sufficient, used under

(To the Editor.)

the three-finger classification system. The day will come when the finger print means of identification will be universally adopted for personal identification. It is used extensively in the United States, also in a slightly less degree in England and the Continent. For use in making wills it is unbeatable; a copy of a person’s fingerprints is of use for filing with his insurance proposal; for children (never mind the adults) having an account opened for them in any savings bank until they are of a certain age. In this case it would make no difference at all if they happened to have left their home town for a considerable period, and knew no one capable cf identifying them. The prints on file, compared with the applicant’s, would save any. unnecessary fuss or trouble. So, you see, the preventive system is right here at hand if any banks wish for anything of the sort. It is quick and sure, and it would not be a costly business to instal a bureau ir any bank. If anyone should care to hear anything further I will be only too pleased to oblige. In conclusion I must sincerely hope 1 have not taken up too much of your time. JOHN A. C. McCORMACK

“PLUS FOURS” Sir, — lam surprised at tlie erroneous ideas that prevail in New Zealand regarding the wearing of “plus fours.” One particular reference in your paper stated that “plus fours” worn by half the British Rugby team was no mere affectation, as many of them were “rattling” good golfers, thereby voicing the opinion of -this country that the garb is essentially one for golfers. It may surprise many to know that in England, where the popularity of this dress has reached its height, the wearing Of “plus fours” is not reserved for golfers, but is equally popular among other sportsmen. many of whom have never touched a golf club. Their comfort for travel is undeniable, while their suitability for coun-try-wear is unquestionable. They have been termed “affectation” and aspersion has been cast upon them, but this is mostly by persons who are either diffident, or are incapable of wearing them without cutting a ridiculous figure. It is to be hoped that the people in this country will become reconciled to this most sensible form of dress, and that its popularity will increase in the future. PLUS FOURS.

MR. FIELD’S WORK Sir, — , 1 had intended writing to express my approval of the proposal made by Air. Pickering respecting Air. Field’s work. And now "Molecule's” letter prompts me to say more upon the subject. 1 have known Air. Field longer perhaps than any other of your correspo ldents have done. For general edueat on he probably has few equals in New Zcaltmd. His mathematical ability 1 have already mentioned. If there is a bo-n scientist in New Zealand it is he. 1 resent "Alolecule’s” reference to amateurs and self-taught people. Who is there that can teach Air. Field"' His work has, already satisfied very able men m this and other countries. Yet none of them can thoroughly follow ail ALL ’ ; ind , aII a * k £or the Publication of a book or books dealing more extensively with the work It is tier fectly evident that there is no "current

literature of the subject” and no ‘ thoroughly technical knowledge of the subject” among New Zealand scientists, who in the meantime can only judge Mr. Field’s work by its results—results which have been so freely giver to the public, including our bestknown scientists, for eight years past. . What “paper” to the Auckland Institute or brief contribution” to a magazine could deal at all comprehensively j with a subject so vast? I happen to know that Mr. Field has abstained : from publishing his work outside bis own country, and that he has taken all reasonable steps to present it to local scientists. Asked eight years ago by the Australasian Association f® r the Advancement of Science to read * paper at a conference in Wellington* Mr. Field went down for that purpcs® and the leaders of the New Zealand Institute prevented his doing Asked by the New Zealand “Journal of Science** for an article upon earthquakes, he supplied it. and the leaders of the New Zealand Institute suppressed it. Asked by the New Zealand Institute to supply information, he sen* : it; his writing was held by these same leaders, who denied other member* the institute access' to it. I ' C< 2H" say more upon the same lines. position is only too painfully plain arj I think Mr. Pickering's proposal **" help to improve it, W.G-S Darga.ville. DEFINITION AND TENDENCY | Bir.—The much-discussed definition Rationalism describes the mental atn- ; tude commonly adopted in processes®* j rational inquiry. It does not indicat® ’ the attitude of Rationalists to religion* interpretations of life. Yet the tendency among modem Rationalists is t® deny the reality of God and the religl* ous consciousness. Organised Ration* . alism, like organised religion, appeal* to a large class of men and worn® 1 * ! who are apt to be extremists in deni** or affirmation. The Rationalist orator, like the revivalist preacher, studies the mood and capacity of his audience. 1* | either of these gentlemen treated hi* ! subject as seriously as a Hibbert B®®! turer, his hearers would be few ano j bis season short. . Whatever good there is in Rational* ism will find expression in the | as in the past, through thoughtful j original minds. Official Rational!*® j has no more to do with liberal thin»®* j than official Christianity has to ; good fellowship. to “A.E-b* | official Rationalism “allows each ;to form his own conclusions.’* By • laws of rational thought each one • arrive at such conclusions as the e dence warrants. „ r C.GJfc