CONDENSED CORRESPONDENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIX, Issue 163, 10 July 1918, Page 2

CONDENSED CORRESPONDENCE.

"A Ratepayer," who live* in Epsom, complains that he is charged 1/6 for water instead of tenpenee, the charge in other parts of the city, and that the charge for meter rent is excessive. Epsom joined the city on terms of equality, and therefore ehould. aot pay extra, for water. Mr David W. Miller, of Whangarei. thinks there should be a stricter censorship of moving pictures, and suggests that parents report to the censor anything they consider objp.ctionable. This he considers a duty to the high-principled managers of picture theatres who try to maintain a high tone. Air .Miller quotes from a teacher's letter a passage about the disturbing effect of sensational pictures on email children, as described by [the children themselves.

Apropos of Mr W. M. Hughes' speeches atJHome, "H.J." says that "Protection ar.ust come as sutp. as the tide ebbs and flows," for the following reason: "Prior to the war Protection would not have suited British finance. The civilised world outeide of the United) Kingdom was, before the "great catastrophe,' indebted to Kngland anything tip tv £ 0,000,000,000. The Great War has created a complete reverse of tilts; .England, from being the greatest creditor of the nations, lias become a debtor to another country. For the first time, in her financial history she will have to balance her accounts by exporting gold or gilt-edged securities, and this cannot go on ad mfinitum. Therefore Mr Hughes spoke, windy when he advocated for the Empire a policy of Protection." "Constant Reader" comments on the suggestion that the Dcvonport Borough Council should remove the rockn from the foreshore in a certain place to form a bathing basin. The councillor who proposed this said-, the rocks were an eyesore, but "Constant Reader" wants to know "What bigger eyesore will he si-e at present than the roa-d in front of my dwelling and my present neighbour's, for which we have paid rates and taxes for about 11 yeare, «nd not a penny .spent on same." Mr Willis A. Tnieman says of the cabled war manifesto issued by the Independent Social Democratic party in Germany that "It would be interesting to know what particular propaganda these German Social Democrats issued before the war to persuade the German people to avoid thi» terrible war. It is all very well for them to now decry their chief head* because they see that the 'big dividend' promised is not coming olf. and instead of receiving something they will have something to pay. Until these Socialists of Germany can convince tig otherwise, we must place them in the same boat aa the remainder of the German people." A correspondent writes about iSir .lames Allen's statement that he did not know of any conscientious objector who was not allowed to write to his parents. Our correspondent say.s he hae complained to Sir James Allen about this matter. His non was one of those sent away last .'illy, and all the newa his family has had from him since he went away is two very short letters, i Mr A. 11. Philip, secretary of the Auckland Iron and Braes Moulders' Union, sends a lengthy statement criticising the finding of the Military Service Board in a recent case, in which it wae claimed that a certain workman was essential. Mr Philip complains that although at one sitting he wae asked his opinion, which was unfavourable to the appeal, he was not given a chance to defend his Ktatements at a subsequent sitting, when evidence win called to refute his testimony. Hγ criticißcs tho • evidence given for the appellant. I "J.F." supports the criticism of very , short dresses for children, and saye that mothers set a bati example by wearing low-cut drrsecs.