Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1014, 3 July 1930, Page 11

Citizens Say

SUICIDE Your correspondent “Judas” opens up a vast subject when he invites opinions upon the right of a man to take his own life. The trouble about arriving at a basis for discussion in such a controversy is that each case should be considered on its merits. The man who shuffles off this mortal coil simply because he has been crossed in love or thwarted in a business deal is taking a cowardly step unless, of course, his worries have driven him, in the words of the old-fashioned coronial verdict, “temporarily insane.” On the other hand, the man who has a desperate fear of growing old without means of support and is faced with the unpleasant possibility of being dependent on selfish and unpleasant sons and daughters may be pardoned for taking an easy way out of things. So may the man who is threatened with a chronic disease which imposes undue burden on his nearest kin. That is the way I look at it. sir, and, like ‘‘Judas,” 1 have left Christian teachings out of consideration. ITT Ah INDIA I would be very grateful if you ul«i allow me a little more space in .liioii to appeal to the liberality of your readers in their attitude toward India Few will deny that the future of India pire, but also to the whole world. Ap-

(To the Editor.)

parently, however, it is not so well realised that India has arrived at an extremely critical stage in her destiny where more than one road opens out as a possibility before her; yet since, in the final choice, the consequences of our attitude and policy toward her must count most it is surely a question of momentous importance whether India will find in licr British sisters such a spirit of co-operation as will persuade her. in the absence of undue injury to her self-respect, to decide in favour of a course which will promote a new conception of friendliness, goodwill and mutual understanding between herself and the other members of the Empire family. Tlie point is: do we think and feel in the light of true understanding, in our attitude toward Indian aspirations and demands? Are we in touch with the living Indian reality? Though we may have built up a philosophic structure of a comprehensive and intricate nature in our efforts to enunciate what should be the guiding principle for India, have we any reason to be assured that it is inspired by true vision and understanding: of human nature —and not merely the product of our own separated, unperceiving consciousness? We know to our chagrin that it was not very long ago we lost the United btates oi America from our Empire but is there any cause to believe that England was then less sure of what was right conduct for the new colonv tlum is now the case with regard to India. As we read side by side in the cable news, first of the satisfaction and praise of British journalists bathe work of the all-white Simon i (Continued in next column.)

mission, and next of its almost COB* plot© rejection by Indian leaders, •?annot but dawn vividly upon all witimagination that there exists betwet* the two races a chasm into which whatever effort is made to bring into harmony with the other. to vanish into almost complete obliviorWe arc aware of the substance of Indian cry: “Grant Hone R** quickly: failing that we shall acC *J‘ no invalids' ministering but shall for Independence.” And the lament* able truth is that the independent wave is sweeping into every village bringing about a subtle change heart in the toiling agriculturist. 1* ** saddening indeed to think of th trow* which is storing up and ever a greater measure of release, for o®* knows that when trusting dies, as there can be little doubt J* dying in Indian hearts, the p ' ss * b “'. r of mutual negotiations becomes evfurther removed, so that schemes progressive political evolution 15 years ago might have met wi popular Indian enthusiasm. only to provoke resentment and ltr* I tion. r. k. I Representative New Zealand and in** l * League. | June 6. SHOP HOURS REGULATIONS ACT ■ Arrive at the conclusion ' > l L ' u hoV e tho absurd restrictions of the Act tho present regrettable >tat» f tho labour market would ncvcl \*,\i*. arisen. What is required roj - tion of hours for individuals ano . traders. In my par business, so far as regulations r _ law allows me to work till I oJje provided my employers allow ■** t hour off every four hours t 0 meal. This statement need y'jjy your readers no alarm, as my ■ employers see to it that 1 run Business people prepared to chance by employing two shift* certainly* be permitted to remain As things now are. with the excep , of a few “sheiks” and flappers those attending picture shows. - 4 land is like a City of the Read alt P-m. One wonders how. under ing regulations, the small suburb shopkeeper exists If. BIRCH < NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENT “Old Timer.- T i pen-name.—Ed.. The Sun-