HUMAN CARGO FOR DEVIL’S ISLAND.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 295, 2 December 1930, Page 7

HUMAN CARGO FOR DEVIL’S ISLAND.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—Please give me enough space in your paper to express my opinion on human cargo for Devil’s Island, hi the name of 'God, .1 ask the people of tins country should these

horrible, and disgraceful conditions go on in our world, such as were described by a writer to the London “Daily Express.” and which apjieured in the “Tribune” lant evening ? Sir, could you imagine yourself being on that boat with boiling steampipes encircling your cage, and could you imagine the steam being turned on? Could any man in this country imagine himself in these conditions? At the end of the journey you would be carried ashore half dead. It is a disgrace to civilisation. When our churches are praying, may they not forget to pray for these people who are sent to Devil’s Island.—l am, etc., HORRIFIED. Hastings, 1/12/30. PAVEMENT CROWDS. (To the Editor.) Sir,—l must draw attention to the unruly way in which the general public crowd along the none too wide footpaths of street on Saturday nights.' Two surging masses intermingling with one another would hardly describe them, for they move along regardless of sides, and woe betide any person who tries to walk on the right side, for is he not bumped, pushed and hounded down by prams, and fat indignant ladies who glare at him, as only women can? Oh, but that is not all; there are the “clumps,” you ask what are the “clumps”? Well, the “clumps” are little bunches of women and men who have the peculiar habit of standing right in the centre of the path, and exchanging the week’s gossip. Time matters little to them, and they must be on no account disturbed; everybody must dodge them, even the policemen ! After visiting other towns (not Napier) I noticed that we need a few improvements. The general idea of regulating pedestrian traffic is by drawing down the centre of the sidewalk a white line and, with the aid of the law and a few dises with “Keep to the Loft” on them, this system is generally enforced. 1 think it would be good if the Hastings Council adopted some such scheme and taught our poor pedestrians how to keep to the left.—l am. etc., FELIX THE CAT. Hastings, 1/12/30. BOOTING OUR JOBS INTO INSOLVENCY. (To the Editor.) Sir,—Unrestricted democracy has always idden extravagance to death. Nothing can stay it, until it has borrowed the last pound and spent the last shilling. Democracy builds up a system of radiation of wealth far exceeding any accumulation of reserves. Democracy clamours for the borrowing of hundreds of millions sterling, giving property an exaggerated value and upon this exaggerated value many more millions are borrowed, and so on. This death gallop started about thirty years ago and has gained momentum ever since and the wonder is that it kept going so long. Under the circumstances it is easy to see how, when once started, depredation must crash into billions where ever democracy prevails. The whole scheme builds its own destruction. . When the house falls in the people .say it is the capitalists who have devised this calamity. Just fancy devising a scheme wherein capital depreciated into thin air by hundreds of millions of pounds. Now the know-all birds are screaming money is too dear while Governments and local bodies are searching the world over to borrow the last shilling. Let this madness take a pull and money will come down all right. Let us also cease to listen to those gold juggling wizards and the birds advocating the restriction of output. Their logic says: "If we all sit down wealth must come to our feet.” Truly wonderful logic. But if there is such a thing as kicking one’s self, then industrial labour must be doing this with a vengeance, and ointment should be soon in demand. What is the advice given to our workers by their pork fed leaders? Ask any dairyman whether he can demand a gushing flow of milk and wealth from cows whilst waving a red flag and cracking a stock whip to the music of dogs. Some that milk is a gift to the calf and unity of goodwill its open sesame. Why not meet the inevitable with open arms.. It is true the road is muddy, but who is trying to lift us out? The great multitude of millions is waiting for the supposed locked-up capital to do the job. Boys, we are working with the wrong tools. Let us take up once again that worthy slogan, “Stimulation of consumption by its very abundance and cheapness.” Are rot our particular jobs worthy of some little stimulant? Then why, boys, why boot it into insolvency? Can reasonable men give cause for such suicide? A good farmer feeds the farm that feeds him—are you feeding or fighting your jobs? The eyes of the world’s financiers are upon us and a great wave of optimism awaits the first sign of a plastic move coming from all classes of labour which is long overdue, attracting investment from far and near. If we have goods for sure, make them attractive and an overwhelming demand awaits all goods at a price. tVe are now feeding the /die and starving our jobs—a br.glm idea from a very shortsighted people.— I am, etc., W. SISSON. Hastings, 1/12/30. ELECTRIC SERVICES. (To the Editor.) Sir,—l notice a letter in your Saturday paper signed "Full Up,” drawing attention to the H.B. Electric Power Board getting one on to the ratepayers who have connected up for the hot water services. I find this switching over is bad enough, without going any further and besides they are breaking their contract by cutting it off as .suggested. I also say, “Wake up, Ratepayers!”—l am, etc.. ’ * AMICUS. CHRISTIAN"SCIENCE. (To the Editor.) Sir,—My recently delivered addresses entitled "Concerning Chris, tian Science” were the sequel to the working of my mind after listening to the address delivered by Judge Greene in tho Assembly Hall. It seemed to me essentia], in the interests of intelligent judgment, that members of my congregation should know both sides of the case. You were good enough to publish the substance of those addresses in your paper. Knowing something of the method followed by the Christian Science organisation, I was aware that in duo time my opinions would be challenged by Airs. Ann P. Hewitt, whose work it is to do that ‘kind of thing for tho whole of the

North Island. In your Saturday’s issue the expected letter duly appeared. May I, in all sincerity, congratulate Mrs. Hewitt on the ability with which she carries out her difficult task? She begins by wondering from what "hostile and biased source” I have obtained my information—an excellent beginning, meant to undermine my whole position. In eight years’ study of the subject I have consulted many sources. Several of them would, of course, be pronounced "hostile” by Mrs. Hewitt. During the years in which I studied Theology under the professors appointed by my Church, I read not only the prescribed text-books and other orthodox works, but also the books issued by the Rationalist Press Association, as far as I could get access to them; believing that one must know both sides of a case if one is to form a fair opinion. The same method has chacterised my study of Christian Science. I am quite content to leave it to the Hastings public to decide whether or not I am the kind of man to give public utterance to a criticism of so vital a subject after a one-sided investigation of the ideas involved. I have no intention of traversing Mrs. Howitt’s letter as that would lead to an interminable correspondence, a task for which I have neither the time nor the inclination. My real aim is to induce people to enquire carefully and to think for themselves. If my addresses have beer, of use in that way my effort has been abundantly justified. Mrs. Hewitt recommended the biography of Mrs. Eddy which was written by Mrs. O’Brien under the pen name “Sibyl Wilbur.” May I also recommend one—the latest—written by Dakin ? It contains a mass of information never before made public. Mrs. Hewitt will call it “hostile,” but the fair way will bo to read both and analyse carefully. Thanking you in anticipation.—l am DAVID J. A. SHAW. Hastings, 1/12/30. N.Z. FARMERS’ BRITISH TOUR. (To the Editor.) Sir,—l am sure your readers will lx> interested to know that the British National Union which was the body responsible for bringing to your country a party of Empire farmers in the early part of this year has now arranged for a return visit to Great Britain in the summer of next year. The party will consist of representatives of New Zealand, Australian, Canada and South African agriculture, and it has been decided to allocate to each dominion twenty to twenty-five places. During my visit with the Empire farmers I made the fact of this tour known fairly generally, and 1 am pleased to state that the New Zea. land Farmers’ Union has very kindly agreed to assist us in recruiting tne desired number. We are arranging a very interesting programme which will cover a period of two months, during which a verylarge portion of both England and Scotland will be visited. The two great national Agricultural Shows — the Highland Show in Edinburgh in June and the Royal Show at Warwick in July—will be attended, and at Bradford arrangements are being made whereby visiting sheep farmers will be able to meet in conference representatives of the great woollen industry. Facilities will be given to fruit growers to visit Covent Garden and meet the principal representatives of the fruit distribution trade, and Mr. Forsyth, of your Meat Board in Lon don, has offered his services to those of our visitors who desire to see something of the great meat markets in the Metropolis. The tour will commence in London on the Ist of June, and two days later we shall take the partv to Epsom on the day the great classic Derby Race is run. I need scarcely- say that apart from their educational character our tours have a distinctly patriotic purpose, and visitors will bo brought into touch on many occasions with some of the best elements of our national life. We are proposing to leave it to those who wish to join us to make their own shipping arrangements. This will enable them to travel by any route or class they choose without being limited to the precise arrangements we might otherwise make. Visitors, however, must reach London on or before the Ist of June, when they will be taken charge of by this Union which will provide all necessary hotel accommodation and transport until the end of July. Lt.-Col. Pow, the secretary of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union, Wellington, will supply the fullest information to intending visitors; and as regards steamship accommodation the Union Steamship Company will render every possible assistance. With every good wish and much appreciation of the manner in which our party was received in ypur country.— I am, etc., A. CANHAM, Secretary. British National Union, 213 Moorgate Station Chambers, London, E.C.2, 27/10/1930.