CORRESPONDENCE.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 115, 16 May 1924, Page 7

CORRESPONDENCE.

TO COBREIPOHBEHTf. AJAX.—No. ARCHIMEDES. —The tonnage of a, ship is her internal capacity calculated under a variety of systems. The displacement tonnage is the total weight of a ship in tons when immersed to her maximum draught or load-line. THE BOUNDARY QUESTION. (To the Editor.) Sir.—lt is very gratifying to find the Ulster Premier talcing a more rational and national view of the boundary difficulty. For many months past I have followed the leaders and correspondence on this subject, and both the "Irish Times" and the "Freeman's Journal," which reflect the Free State feeling, axe , decidedly against forceful methods in the settlement. I have also read the Belfast journals in our library, and it appears to mc that with the exception of Orange extremists, the great Presbyterian body of Ulster are also in favour of a peaceful settlement. In his notes of the massacre at Glencoe. the Scottish poet, Thomas Campbell, who was the , author of that touching poem, "The Exile of Erin," says: "The banishment of the Moors from Spain to Africa was the chief cause of African piracy and Christian slavery among the Moors for centuries; and since the reign of William HI. the Irish Orangemen have been the Algerians of Ireland."—l am, etc., EEDJEAX. OTAHUHU WATEB. (To the Editor.) Sir, —How long are the residents of this "fair" suburb going to submit to the continued adulteration of the water supply to such an extent that it becomes absolutely unbearable. For the past week it hag been noticeable but to-night it seems as if a Whole lime kiln must have been emptied into the reservoir. If this be the recommendation of the Health Department the sooner some of the officers are compelled to sample their our prescription the better for all concerned. Must we decide on another source of supply.—l am, etc, ARTHUR CUMMDTGS. May 14, 1924. | THE VISITING WABSHXPS. i <To the Editor.) Sir,—Every effort has been made in New Zealand to promote the enjoyment of the ship's officers and crews of the visiting warships, but I have heard fairly general complaint that there has not been any marked reciprocity. The Special Service Squadron is not, I presume, circumnavigating the world for pleasure, but is engaged on an Imperial Mission and a great part of the success of that mission is dependent on the impreseion left among the people at large of the communities Tisited- What I think is a reasonable cause of complaint is the almost entire absence when the big ship has been thrown open to the public of any effort to show the visitors round. With the very numerous crews carried it would have been easy to organise some proper system of conducting visitors over the ships. Whether the palpable absence of any such routine has been due to oversight or pure indifference is not material ~o the question. The effect on the public mind is the thing, and this has not been favourable. The attitude of the personnel of our present visitors has been unfavourably compared to that of earlier naval visitors, both British and foreign.—l am etc, IMPERIALIST. THE GAKBUXG EVXX.. (To the saitor. , ) Sir,—Monday's "Star" contained a letter on the above from a correspondent who signed himself "Still More Whoa," in which the Government is taken to task for failing to suppress the bookmaker, and, indeed, for countenancing the totaliaator. Ido not know whether "Still More Whoa" is a partiaan on the subject, or whether he has personally suffered from the existing state of things, but I do think that he rigidly ignores one very powerful factor in the question, viz., human nature. Personally, I do not attend race meetings, nor have I had a bet with a bookmaker in my life, so I can scarcely be held to be biased in my opinion, but it seems to mc that the gambling or betting instinct is inherent in the majority, and that no legislation will ever totally suppress it. One sees thi3 instinct in every walk of life—it is more or leas a question of "Casting thy bread upon the waters, etc., - —with the invariable hope of making a profit. The successful merchant will buy largely of any commodity that seems to him likely to advance in price—the man in the street will jump at the chance of securing something cheap in real estate, and all will greedily snap up lottery tickets, art union chances, and such like—one and all with the main hope of "'making a rise"! Has "Still More Whoa" ever considered the purchase of property with the thought that it might later "stiffen" in value? I wonder. After all. something must be allowed for the tastes and desires of human nature. It is not well to try and make life a "drab" affair to the majority bj denying them their chief pleasures, but the whole thing must be regulated, and placed on the best possible foundation. Things done surreptitiously, such aa betting, drinking, etc., always produce a maximum of harm. It would, in my opinion, be far better if bookmakers were licensed, and thus, under some aort of regulated control. Secret betting, like secret liquor selling, is more likely to lead to many evils' that couid possibly be minimised were it done openly, and under a license. There are people who will maintain tha*. smoking is a most baneful habit. May be: bat -while the majority elect to regard it as s. pleasure. and a solace, would it not be rather arbitrary for '"non-smoicers" to do their I best to rotaliy eradicate the habit! To 'my mind the same argumen; applies to ! wagering.—l am, etc.. F. BEALE.