LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15170, 9 December 1912, Page 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

A LEADER FOR THE OPPOSITION. Sir,— are all" wondering now who isi to bo tho "Leader of tho Opposition,- an/l I think the majority will say that our worthy member for Auckland East would be-tho right man in tho right place. Who is so fitted for tho position as he is? After all he has clone for our city in the past, he is -surely worthy of the highest honour we can confer on him. even to make him Primo Minister when his time comes round again.' / • Jcstice. A MAORI WAR RELIC. - Sir.—Regarding the above, in your issue of November 25 Mr. Fernandez is slightly in error. The gunboat Pioneer was built at Big Omaha, in 1861, by Captain _ James Strange Meiklejohn and his family of seven sons, for many years a well-known firm Oi shipbuilders. The model of this historical little craft is still preserved, and could be handed over to an Auckland collection of old-time war relics. H. Meiki.ejOHN. Waipu, November 27.

PARNELL AND GREATER AUCKLAND.

Sir,—Regarding transfer from general account to water supply account of £808 in tho Parnell borough balance-sheet, tho Municipal Corporations Act enacts that if tho balance of any separate account is at any timo insufficient to meet the charges thereon a transfer from the general account may be made to meet tho same. This transfer a mero matter of accounts at tho end of tuo financial year, and the same procedure is followed by tho City Council (see, its domain trust and electricity accounts in balancesheet, 1911), but it does not follow that there is a loss on the accounts by such transfer being made. Mr. Parr in his criticism of tho Parnell finanoo should explain how tho balanco of debit of his general account increased from £2200 to £38,000 on March 31. 1911. How is he going to make that good without a furiher increase of his general rale, or, as is the city way, by another loan? R. S. Bhicgs. ParnoH, December 7, 1912. i

THE WOMEN'S POLITICAL REFORM LEAGUE. Sir,—Everyono who takes an interest in the welfare of New Zealand must rejoice to see that a larger number of women are apparently taking an interest in politics now than has been the case for some time. The Women'si Political Reform Leaguo has, of course, been formed.in consequence of the success of tho Reform party at the recent elections, but whatever tho cause of its formation, its effects can only be beneficial. 1 hope 1 shall be forgiven, howover, for pointing out that Auckland has not been without a woman's league all these years, as tho Women's Political League founded by Mrs. Daldy in. 1892, though passing through many vicissitudes, has never been allowed to die. Originally • founded to work for woman's suffrage 'before the passing of the Act, it was then strictly non-party, and, although Mrs. Daldy herself, up to the time when she was prostrated 'by illness, about six years ago, was a strong supporter of what was then the Opposition, the : league has always been kept; alive by women of all parties. I have been asked to state these facts, not out of any ill-nature, as there is plenty of work for us all, and wo wish the new league every success, but as wo - have in our small way kept the flag flying for over 20 years, we think it only right that the members of the Women's Reform League (some of whom were associated with, Mrs. Daldy years, ago) should know that the old league is still in existence. ~ f E. Gibson, . Hon. Sec. Women's Political League. NEW ZEALAND SCHOOLS: Sir,—ls. it fair to the children of New Zealand that the advice of " Claudius " and others should bo followed? Why should we allow, "importations?" Are not' the homegrown produces even now overloading the syllabus? And why object, as does one of your correspondents, to good old ■ AngloSaxon ? Ho that will write well in any tongue must follow this counsel of Aristotle— to speak as .the common people do, to think as wise men do, and so should every man understand him and the judgment of wise men allow him. Many English writers (and teachers, too) have not done so, but using strange words as Latin, French, and Italian, do make all things dark and hard. Once 1 communed with a man which reasoned the English tongue to be enriched and increased thereby, saying: " Who will not praise the feast whore a man shall drink at dinner both wine, ale and beer?" "Truly," quoth I, "they be all good, every one taken by himself alone, but if you put malvesie and • sack, red wino and white, ale and beer, and all in one pot, you shall make a drink neither easy to be known . nor ; yet wholesome for the body." • V ~••■ : Rogkb A.BOHAM. ;

Sir,l will: not spend your space 1 animadverting on Mr. Chas. >M. Carter's ■ criticism on my English, but I -wonder' if ho means us to understand his quotation to bo Northumbrian? I will repeat it:—"You had better. moind what y're doing me Ihad. : or I'll givo ye a shkfp •on the bhack." Now, I am" euro that most of your observant readers will bear me out, when I say that ,this is undoubtedly Irish; it certainly is not Northumbrian, the dialect of that county partaking much of Norman French; the "accent is that of the Norsemen, and- is very harsh. But every Northumbrian is able to cast aside his own language for that'' whichis understanded of men." Mr. Carter is mistaken if ho thinks that I think highly of either British or colonial Board school teachers. I think that of two evils»it is well to choose the lesser, and a faulty education is better than none, for it enables the naturally intellectual of both sexes to improve themselves by means of libraries. The idea in New Zealand seems to be that the. past means ignoranceand that the present is progress.' ..v." ■ •■■

THE UNIVERSITY . SITE. Sir, —As the auestion of higher education affects residents in the rural districts as well as in the cityfarmers as well as lawyers—l may be permitted to ask " audience for a word or two." It soems to mo that some of thoso who aro striving to secure the grounds attached to the Governor's Auckland residence for the University are and hare been so accustomed to refer to the "University College" that they have forgotten that tho time is not far distant when it •will be correct to refer to, tho ''Auckland University," or to various colleges affiliated thereto. Even it Auckland wore willing to remain as at present, it is certain that tho Southern centres have higher ambitions. If, is indisputable that technical schools should be in central and easily accessible positions, for the scholars' time is naturally limited, and a largo amount of instruction is given after ordinary working hours; but a university should be on a higher plane, with movement more free, and ampler, purer air" surrounding it. - Although many years have passed away since tho great Bishop Selwvn left New Zealand, there aro' those still living who cherish his memory, and others again, who aro not of tho Anglican communion, who appreciate his ideals and can admire his far-seeing outlook. I think I am right in saying that ho selected the site of St. John's College with the desire that tho - students thereat should till tho ground as well as cultivate their brains. Perhaps Selwyn's ideas wcro too big for those who came after, or maybe the students objected to soiling their hands in common menial work; but. whatever the reason, some 1800 acres have lain unimproved, a disgrace to those responsible, whether they be the trustees .or the Anglican community generally. Now, a short timo since, tho Methodist Church Mission trustees gave a large area of laud to be transformed into a public domain, on tho Manukau side of Auckland, .and I would-like to suggest that tho Anglicans be generous also and offer tho University authorities 100 acres or more near St. John's College and they will probably gain more than they loso by the increased value of the remainder I would also ask the present University College Council to awaken and stretch themselves a, bit. Let them realise that Auckland has grown, is growing, and will grow; that to be near Queen-street will not be compulsory for students of tho. futureand that the piece of ground they covet though perhaps largo enough for*a small college, is useless for a modern university St. John's College may seen a long way off now, but with electric cars running there the distance will be urinoticeable. and, moreover I believe with Bishop Crossley that residential colleges are necessary for genuine university life Perhaps, with the assistance of Sir John Logan Campbell's legacy the higher branches of tho most ancient and most necessary of the arts mav vet be taught to students of St. John's. " * ' _„________ Native. i DRINKING HABITS. Sir,-Inespective of what Mr. Macdermott says about Ins witness," I must again complain of his misstatements, although ft"s satisfactory to notice he admits his incorrectness in a few instances. I knew there were no hotels in the street he wrote about, also Sti'J'p °w "V Smlar, y *sU*ti o . charter called P.rkhead. I deny flatly that' them' tre places outside those &»<>-vgftte pubs lor entf.tiea, 0 r jinum. He .wag .wrong

1 again about the closing timo also, tturfs'tfilli found wrong tho conditions he alkwes'|jjfSf§ would have been worso if houses had been, open till 11 p.m. mESSS reports have shown again and again (kß' the early-closing movement has not had deterrent effect anticipated, while the Mi Commission reported thai the aumhw'lll pubs had no connection with insowS The reiterated story about the empty 5221 and empty shop* being provided f6r foSSf! customers carries with it its own condetftS?l tion. While comparisons aro odious, fwSI? say the consumption of alcohol affordrSll evidence as to intemperance, for/whMi"«N convictions for drunkenness, are much hfiffP in Ireland than in England, the conwSS' tion of spirits is one-third less. la gS!$ Britain the sum spent on liquor is about 2s per head; here in New Zealand amamß to no less than £5 3s lOd Per fact that Now Zealand spends yearly adult so much on whisky while our dS?countryman and woman can becoijftv2!i paralytic on an expenditure of about 50 iS cent- less impels me to ask Mr. MacdenaeP to study a little more the ins t nd outs <rfS? question not so easy of solution at «oris temperance informers would have us tinW I would refor him to Mulhall. Chan, Bo»bl etc., wherein he will find facts acoeplecn&' all thinking men and women. -~ -™. Regarding your other corwspo&ettftP statement about the scenes ho saw in rntgEft gow, and how they compare with whafcM' viewed (I presume) in tiio land of the «h speakaolo Turk, I may say the followhiirill the ratios of convictions for dninkennessM= some of our more important business (Glasgow, 33: Liverpool, 42; DuMp 43; Cork, 56. If, therefore, these,"seen***' your correspondent saw in old St. Mungo «$ as loathsome ns ho would have us l»lkt£| ■what in tho namo of goodness must beSm§ conditions obtaining in the other cities idteP intoxication is more rife? That thore: Scotland . much to bo done in the '■■ way/Sl improving the condition of the 'pobpfeM readily admit, but this cannot be ;! raising completely false issues tit Apwaduw ' statements so much at variance TrfthtoSfr As a member of that community, objection to criticism, bui surely Wffifism justified in drawing such conclusions afr%aip correspondents do after a few perambuls£S» in a densely-populated old street, eridiJiSpl a residence in a place called ParkhesdTWS velopod in smoke. and vitriolic either resided a little further west have seen how much environment conimjiu I to sobriety and what progress wo aw ajjtep in solving this problem. .Txrj. Mrt.r^feji 49, Anglesoa-streefc. Ponsonhv, ' ,-, ,ft ■ November 24, 1912. ' - \>j|M§

, —— ~ , ' v - if MOTOR TRAFFIC AND SPEED LJMI3&< i Shy—So much, has been heard duijiisr^i last fow months concerning ■■'ifi&i'ijGfo^f i oceisionod by motor traffic:iain^Srt«Mi our city that the timo is opportuftfcfetejSp the subject wmo serious coaai^tiy^*j[| " tho first place it ha* to bo adK^S^Qmtlie motor car has come to ■■'staT^BJs*^^ tho oxperienco of larger dtied:*'&m^i that the iucreaso in motor traffio^aow?k,!f next few years is likely to-W-pS^ffip During; the last nine years : wJ^^^&i| have been withdrawn, from th*sl^wK« ;^ London, and. at the • present'tin|S|WKMSl some 67,500 motor vehicles in • Uii^ffitlwt^ city The motor car is designed .vltiSi regard for the attaining of high';Sp|iS^| it is therefore an urgent neoesßijy:-flttit;ffij^"| ," in power should decide upon tboXp'»j>j£. f means of safeguarding the of;^j^S trians without unduly restricting tbspiji': , of motor vehicles. In this respect ;H , bo absurd for us, with our"littfo:.esp|^(Ki , to set up laws governing the tra^'|in^B| , ; ascertaining what has .been tst))jajafipl\ • countries where the motor has -bedfc&fiiijg i' and parcel of the lives of : tb6jVWoo&w , outcry by the public agamst'thfcTilcir^l driving of motorists is not 't^awlS land, for agitations have been J started many places from time to time ; mthS»S*ra to compelling motor cars to''faavelaip|m of speed thought to bo pijrfertly isafllmffi year in Dublin, where the; spe«dy;liTO^l 20, miles • an hour, the city coi.poratSo^^ffl warded the following resolution to twj^,3y^ Government Board:"In view of the ratiit ', accidents arising from the- recklos?*mraJ ' driving in the city, . this :, Couhcil|l%q|!M ' the Local Government Board to fixih§|i« of speed for motors at the same ;-li«nit ;^ffl !•■ scribed for horse traffic within'"v.tTfe^H boundary." An inquiry was dulyJhel|^a|M| so numerous were the' witnesses etaM||| that it lasted over eight days.'i\:3!>i^i|M| " there 6uch' an exhaustive - inquiry into dangers of motor traffic. As a r6Bulj&!!ffiffl inquiry the Local Governmentßoard that it could see no necessity for reuUcls|j the limit, ; and. consequently grant the application. In France a Monf|| inquiry was heard soino little £ The committee appointed cided in favour of abolishing Following clog© on the heels of' the-;S™ffl the authorities in tho Isle of Man ■■ hftj|sji| decided to abolish the speed limits||il miles an hour. Now, it may safely. dotHI eluded that the abandoning of EpeedNs|flf| in those cases, has resulted from the|»| success of these limits to aceomplisjßliip desired object. The futility 'of is clearly demonstrated when' <ho;inatt4r<i*: fully considered. It is ; true; thati-§d|fflH s above, the motor car is built for spe«o|f|l| the danger which might result therefrOjrftfi l already overcome before the; car !t')a*N|iS| manufacturer's hands, for;, it is with a correspondingly efficient and brake power. Official tests ha that a motor car driven Nat a speed miles an hour can be brought : fpi|i|| stop in 25ft. Compare this with';B*|Hii| drawn vehicle, which under the'."«sniej||| ditions would probably travel, fori/|sJl(>M| varus before being 'brought to a twndsft; It will thus bo seen that. necessarily imply danger.:".Then is absurd ■to fix-a speed limit J<*i*|(ffl™ place, because the conditions ~exmißg||| that' placo are not . always; the : /:l*?|£||l| us take for cxamDle a speed miles fin hour in Parnoll.', ; There are' ■lsjm i when, owing to the congestion it might be! necessary for a at less than this speed, yet be?;l*sijtW within tho by-law if he contmues*JrtM miles irrespective of danger. 'Op' ;;th*J"otß^ ■ hand, what possible reasoni^uiafjtWi^^ for requiring him to gravel;;at ■tyMsmsjfa hour at fiyo o'clock on ''a"-''finoJ|fflffi^ morning., when his car can boJst^jW^'wi llydfi if he is travelling at ,25 TOgM hour In spit© of what. has been eaiO.:W% ever, serious accidents, 'natolitowJw^® some instances' causing sad Jdss^'^if^J^l happened in and about ou^i'Clfe^^l?^ peculiar fact, however, that in?)t»^w|iffiM| case tho accidents haw c<a«r^.jM^|M| where a speed limit is in '•'?°^;'&lpoMs then must we seek . the to'M'fe*^^ portant problem? To arrive »* we must first ascertain the I am safe in saying' that vhhto-tw^^M the accidents whereby.' pedestrians ■injured by motor can. are caus^|ihfi^^p| buiory negligence on the part^f(;gl|*l^^l trian. Tits storage Auckiancler:l|»^Sl;i slightest; notion or hew to inovo;-^"^'ij^'^ thoroughfare. He wanders i, aH'• footpath, invspcotivo of nuiuerd:!» ( rcft"!*^* to '' Keep to the right." : 'te'|P«*pgSt^J| street ho continues his wanit*OTfc|^?| motorists have to keep co, ?'PJ'Sf^|^S;il alert to prevent him from '^SSS^^yf*••'''' the car. Then there is t-he;*S^ffl^|| vidual who will not biidge.^WW^S/'^ standing in the middle of tta-as«pSlfe ably waiting for a tramcar. it is the duty of the corporationMlSUSE "■'■: children in ' tho schools and■-tt^'.tJjW,; generally are educated in the P'olwfn*J??E of using the city streets. Th'«*«^^^S'^ of accidents (for' there are only'-|*j|s^S^ is recklessness on the part °t l ?? l^^rt4"| This can overcome part of , V ; This can be overcome by stricter '.W|-jßg-' longer experience being insisted : '^WSf^kl fore licenses are granted to mo^?.'ffiM^|i To carry this out successfully. .^ e 4 ?ft'^Sj\ must, be an export. In Vipt?"*/ i H > « , »^^| are issued bv the Automobile?Asfool««Kl and its certificate is accepted d^^; vmS' authorities. Having attended "tO;thew^*f|| causes of accident?, the regulation »* motor traffic can host be rontrolfea§*«»£& our New Zealand Motor Regulations Bricflv. the provisions of this are that ewry motorist, must drive at" all :.tjme*.j ,^S reasonable speed, thai is. it n spsed^Vl taking into consideration the <»*™ffi4"jti the time, is perfectly safe. Cmlor tm**?* it is much easier to got a conviction;': case of dangerous driving. lx-catise, VMgjjJMj. any witness can say if a speed is- a sate one.-! not one in a thousand can accurately ; «»¥B^ the speed in miles per hour at which s car is travelling, and it is necessary ; WSwgftj by-law prosecution to prove; the *-' «!**<•• At the present time there' is < a $»P|; dency on the part of local # bodies^to, lay 'down low speed linyts in an^oß'i denvouv to solve Ihe motor probWjn. As stated above, the motor has come, TO ami, and will rapidly increase in numbers,;' rro. matter how many regulations are put tnp operation. If these regulations jtraj reasonable thev will be broken, not by tJ|o| lawless, but bv respectable tatir.ens..wJ?oj would not wilfully do an unlawful Tho result must therefore inevitably that we all follow in the footstep* 5 m France and other countries and °J^sS| sneed limits for " reasonable speed reg«f| tions. Geo. W. HxrrcntsoK. ; , :^M Secretary Auckland Automobile Asstt-: 3 ANSWERS TO CORRESPONpE^3 " Inquirer " : "-Madam " would be *b!§l|§ rectand suitable method of addroflß-.W'fIJH circumstances. .. . . ■ -■■: *(M& " Expectations '.*':'; The matter is -ope -'.c« which you had better insult a ,aw - vc^%^M