IN THE PUBLIC MIND.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 97, 26 April 1930, Page 8

IN THE PUBLIC MIND.

CAUSES OF UNEMPLOYMENT'

NOT HIGH WAGES. ? (To the Editor.) I read with much amusement the letter of "Liberal." It is surprising how these retire/, gentlemen let their pen run away with them I think he would do well to let someone bettpi' informed say what is the cause of unemnlov ment. "Liberal" states that high wages came unemployment. Where are high Wasres ™»1 in Aew Zealand ? Does he know that the awards fixed by the Arbitration Court are just a bare living wage and they do not allow one" penny for saving or doctors' bills, which verv few people escape? If high wages are the catf/e of unemployment, how is it that prior to the war, when wages were a mere pittance and r hours of work were from- twelve to fourteen a day in England r,::d other countries, there Were • hundreds of thousands of unemployed? I wonder what effect it would have if the employer was to be satisfied with less profit and tlie rich investor with smaller dividends. Henrv Ford has stated that wages were never as • as they should have been, and I think that even "Liberal" will agree that he must be an authority on this question, seeing that he is' one of the biggest individual employers in the world to-day. W. G. SKINNER. OLD CROWN GRANTS. It- is announced that there are a lame number of unclaimed' Crown land grants. What u is the cause of these old land grants not being taken up by the original owners? A number of the early arrivals were illiterate and poor ; ;• and could not live 011 the land without some '■ financial help. They left these grants to seek a living in more populated districts and towns; 7 .Many died leaving no will or any indication of these grants to tlieir children and rightful heirs. Many of these old pioneers' sonl and daughters are still living to-day in ig'noi'&nco "• ; of what is their due. I contend it is the duty of any Government to advertise all names and titles with the location of grants. This cbukl ,• be easily done by posters in every police and. railway station. This would bring forth many old pioneers' descendants to make' inquiries. Will none of our M.P.'s take this up in the House? DESCENDANT. THE TALKIES. "Uncle Sam's" shaft evidently went horns to one at least who is bold enough to betray the hallmark of prejudice by repeating the old/ ' catch-cry "nasal twang," and in the same breath stating that "Were it not for British ' actors and actresses the Amerian film trade would be in a bad way." The inference, therefore, is that Americans have not the sole monopoly of "nasal twang." His reference to France, Germany and Russia is quite illogical .. and beside the point. In commenting on silent,f.' and talkie apparatus he is either attempting V to be humorous or still persists in putting the telescope to the wrong optic. HARDY. LIGHTS ON THE FERRY WHARVES. _____ 1 vl ■ Please. draw the kindly attention of the , Harbour Board to the inadequate lighting of . the ferry. wharves, particularly on the city ' side. It would be a simple job to replace the dismal globes with more powerful lamps. People waiting for ferry steamers would approciate a better light by which they could read without incurring harmful eyestrain, and there-:' would -be 110 longer any need for wayfarers with outspread newspapers to swarm round the few bright spots of tile bookstalls like a" lot of -elongated moths. More' brilliant Jights on this" ferry wharves would certainly help to create a more cheerful outlook on the waterfront. STANLEY BAY. ' CREDIT FOR MOTUIHI. The Parnell contest has reminded me of the ' first link in the chain that lias given us • Motuihi, and as that island means so much to us and future generations mention should berecorded of all entitled to our gratitude for its public ownership. The Hon. J. G. Coates, our \ Mayor, the Hon! J. A. Young and the Hon. A. J. Stallwor'thy, as a city councillor, and • afterwards as Minister of Health, and many-' others, are deserving of their full quota of our thanks and gratitude, but the idea cape from Mr. Tom Bloodworth, who, in his opening • speech in his unsuccessful Mayoral contest, ' •» stated that if returned he would endeavour-to carry out his pet little scheme —one that he. had entirely on his own—and do his utmost to secure one of our islands for our people for all time. That has been overlooked regarding Motuihi. ROSKILL. MANNERS AT THE CENOTAPH. We are proud to belong to a nation reputed to be the most mannerly and courteous. How, -'• then, on Anzac Day at the Cenotaph came many men to retain their headgear during the singing of hymns? Not afraid of the sun, surely. About seventy-five per cent, lam gkul to say had the common decency to remove their bats, but evidently the education of the remaining twenty-five per cent bad been neglected. Even if they had not thought lit to uncover during the hymns, surely respect for the dead should compel them to do so whilst the "Last Post" and "Reveille" were - being played. But.no, the hats still remained undisturbed. Then, as soon as "God Save the King" was played, every head was bared! They were not young men or youths who cannot. _ understand the solemnity of this day, but men who are now about fifty or so and can realise what our fallen did for us. DISGUSTED. PONSONBY SWIMMING BATHS. Again tlie Borough Council is threatening, r s on the score of economy, to close the above batlis for the winter months. It seems inex-' plicablo that for seventeen years the baths have been opened continuously. If our City Fathers look around they can find ample scope for the economic pruning knife. Swimming [ baths are not for business purposes. It would . be as logical to close down Point Erin Park because of tlie sparsity of the attendance in winter. And what about visitors to Auckland.'The Tepid Baths are open, but a number of people are not satisfied with tepid water. And it is a bad principle to encourage the rising generation to take up tepid baths. Lotuseating tendencies are a bad thing for the younger people. Hot water suits the exotic Eastern races. After seventeen years it seems a hard thing that winter swimmers are to be ■ deprived of their swim. HERBERT MULVIHILL. THE COMPETITIONS. .. As one who is greatly interested in the . career of a prize winner in the Auckland competitions, I also strongly protest against the seemingly misleading tactics of those who were . responsible for the supposed allocation oi prizes. All entrants liad to pay a fee in advance. Time and money were wasted in travelling to and fro, waiting to compete in whatever event they were entered for, and to what end? Excepting prizes from private individuals, I am not aware of one shilling being distributed to bona fide prize winners, and I consider it time that in the interests of thq public generally and to the competitors in particular, a full statement should be issued explaining reasons for the delay. r - BE BRITISH. ,t..V