IN THE PUBLIC MIND.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 233, 2 October 1929, Page 6

IN THE PUBLIC MIND.

NORTH SHORE BOROUGHS. ?

CASE FOR AMALGAMATION.

(To the Editor.)

The amalgamation of the four ffiarine boroughs should appeal to every intelligent North Shore resident. Those antagonistic to the proposal may be reminded that for years the whole of the North Shore was a self governing unit, and that nothing beneficial has ever been effected as a result of th division of 1867. Furthermore, amalgamation has hitherto been opposed only by tho<! uneducated up to the necessity of it, or bv persons cherishing an exaggerated sense of their own importance. Nothing permanently useful can be secured by the retention of. the existing artificial boundaries which separate the otherwise mutual interests of the residents and greatly retard progress by limiting the requisite amount of expansion. The present time is most opportune because the difiiculties in the way of amalgamation—that is, the adjustment of financial burdens—are triflhijr now when compared with the anticipated commitments of the future. It is obvious that the obstacles in the way have been grossly exaggerated by many opposing the scheme. Complete amalgamation would ensure a maximum of efficiency and economy, and with combined resources ample provision could be made for the purchase of modern machinery essential to the development of the whole of the North Shore. The existing absurd costs of administration would be greatly reduced. Partial amalgamation, as suggested by a few of our local politicians, would only result in failure by involving us in useless complications. Takapuna and Northcote stand or fall together and I wish to congratulate Mr. Greenslade on his wisdom in advocating complete amalgamation. However, the residents should take the initiative by demanding a poll, as most of our public men are years behind the times. JOHN GUTNIVEN.

"JACOB'S LADDER."

The numerous letters of protest written recently in the "Star" by correspondents from the Ponsonby and Heme Bay waterfront done much to open the eyes of the general public to the intolerable inconvenience under which the residents of this large district are forced to exist, as we have no direct traffic outlet to the city. Only the other day a leading citizen from the other side of the city came over to this district on private and, having completed it, he attempted to travel via Harbour Street to Fanshawe Street and thence to Queen Street, where he had another urgent appointment. On making inquiries he was told that he could not get any further in that direction unless he was prepared to double back and find his way along, Waitemata Street and down the socalled "Jacob's Ladder." After viewing the situation, he said that he thoroughly under-. stood then why the residents along the western waterfront had been complaining bitterly at being thus cut off from direct access to the city, and he gave way to some fairlystrong language as he turned to tramp back to the Heme Bay tram line. Surely the City Council will decide at its next meeting to have this short link of roadway formed immediately and thus bring happiness and safety to the thousands of people who desire to use this route to and from the city. W. J. DAVIDSON.

JUNIOR ORGANISATIONS,

My excessively eloquent critic and defender of the original claims of the Uniteds is evidently not over-proud of himself, else why this hiding over-brilliant light under the proverbial bushel? My friend says he is an ex-member of the Reform's Junior Organisation. , Judging by the contents of the letter, so lacking in real knowledge of our Reform organisation—well, to say the least, I hae ma doots. The Reform Junior Organisation ■:• is not, as my critic says, an offshoot of the senior movement. To be perfectly true we may say that it is an offshoot of the British Junior Carlton. Our new organiser, Mr. Gordon Edwards, did not let the grass grow under his feet. To-day Auckland Province has a very healthy junior movement of juniors up to thirty, men and women, and they are so busy studying the present complicated state of affairs that they have very little time for the limelight. We seniors are very proud of our youngsters. CHARLES LAWRIN. THE TRANSPORT BOARD. I see that Mr. Allum has again been assuring applicants for licenses for bus services that the fact of owning transport does not affect the board's judgment. "I weep for you," the "Walrus said, "I deeply sympathise." "With sobs and tears he sorted out Those of the largest size, Holding his pocket handkerchief Before his streaming eyes. It is this engaging trait in Mr. Allum that accounts, I think, more than anything for his defeat at the City Council election and also for the intense anxiety of large numbers of people for an immediate election for the members of the Transport Board. SUBURBANITE.

BACHELOR FLATS. In reply to Miss Basten I may say that the insinuations made against lower-paid workers, etc., were reported on September 18. Tho "Landlady Who Knows," and heaven knows what she knows, is wrong fronn beginning to end. I have not championed the Marlborough flats, but I do advocate flats pf one room with conveniences—so-called bachelor flats. But "Landlady" has the idea that a charwoman who has scrubbed, cleaned, vyashed and repaired must be a valued authority on flats. I have no doubt that "Landlady" has never heard or seen the management or lived in flats in other countries, which have found from practical experience the use and necessity of low rent flats for single persons in city areas. "Landlady" has information of a confidential nature setting forth the terrible depravity of flappers, and since I have been elected to the Auckland Town Planning Association I think it would be well for the good of the city if she divulged this. I think I was one of the first to advocate the erecting of workers' flats in this city, and there has not been any great concern about the morality of tho inhabitants of fiats until recently. "Landlady" speaks only from an entirely insular point of view. Auckland is only a small citvand some New Zealanders are apt to think "they know all that is to be learnt, when they have never been outside their country. RUBY E. WATSON.

- UNEMPLOYMENT. It was with a grim smile that I read Mr. Francis O'Brien's Papakura letter re the unemployed parade in Auckland, asking if those, men really wanted work. Yes, I guess they ;I , do, just as I do. I live in Papakura a fewdoors away from Mr. O'Brien and have been unemployed for some time now. '„\ Papakura. CHAS. BATES, ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTSUNEMPLOYED.—The main point„;in your letter was made in Monday's, correspondence.