LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14668, 30 October 1909, Page 14

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

THE SOCIETY FOR THE HEALTH OP WOMEN AND CHILDREN. Sin,—A deputation of tho society's delegates, introduced by Mr James Allen and accompanied by a number of Otago members of the House, waited on tho Prime Minister on Friday, October 18, with a view to enlisting- his sympathy and support for tho work being carried on by the various branches throughout tho Dominion. The summary account of tho interview telegraphed from Wellington was unfortunately very inaccurate in several particulars. Thus each speaker in turn was referred' to as having desired help for a " Baby Hospital." of which it was assumed that nine had been established. In reality there is only one—viz., the Karilane 110-'pital, at Dune-din. What the delegatus said had reference to the work dono by members of the society and by the I'lunket nurses. Again, Mrs Parley did not say that 3000 babies hail been dealt with at Auckland, but that over 3001) visits had been paid by their I'lunket nurses. Similarly, Mis Morton, jf Chiistchurch, did not sav that over 500 tobies had

'•passed through the institution/' but that, litis number had been under ilic euro of their Plnnket nurses at the time of the last annual meeting. Again. Mrs Thnomiii, when speaking of the lvaritano Hospital, did net state I hut. "there was a shortage cf £730 last year," but that that sum would lie needed to carry on in the future. In reality the Dunedin Society has never been in debt at. all, though the committee has sometimes been hard pressed to meet tho extensive and growing work which it litis felt bound to undertake in connection with tho Baby Hospital, (he Plunket nursing, and wide educational functions in the interests of the health of mothers and babios.

The following paragraph, clipped from the Chnstcliureh Press of October 18, conveys a fair impression of the Prime Minister's altitude towards Iho deputation:— " Speaking to our reporter in regard to the deputation from Iho society that had waited on tho Prime Minister at Wellington, an officer c f the Chrislchurch branch of the society slated that, the impression liable to bo conveyed by the short report telegraphed to sonic papers was that tho requests of Iho deputation had been received somewhat unsyrnpathotically. In reality quite the. reverse was the ease. Sir Joseph Ward had expressed himself as being ill onfiio sympathy with what I lie society was doing, and much impressed with the value of its work to the Dominion, lie had promised all the financial support that present circumstances would permit, especially in. connection with the Karitano Babies' Hospital, Dunedin, and the support of the Plnnket nurses in the larger centres. At the same time, he had explained (-hat. as a number of requests were being received from various smaller centres asking for similar consideration, the question of indefinite, extension in this direction would be one for very serious consideration, and he could not give any definite undertaking in the meantime. However, no doubt had been left in the minds of the. members of the deputation that the work of the society bad the entire sympathy and approval of the Prime Minister, and that ho would afford it all the sin:.port he. could."

The I'rimo Minister's actual words at the oponiiiff of his reply were as fo-'lows, and this spirit was reflected throughout what he said subsequently:-" It would be a poor man whoso sympathies were not on the side of those, who are assisting the movement. Lam anxious to see it enrired on for all lime, and successfully.' 1 -! am, etc, Hvgeia.

ANDERSON'S BAY ROAD FOOTPATH

Sib,—Judging from Uie letters published by you on the question of allowing cycling mi this footpath, your correspondents imagine that the privilege, granted (during their pleasure) by the late Caversham and South Dunedin Councils has given them a right to use a public footpath for cycling The position is very different now from what it win when these bodies allowed it to ho so used. The City Council has never continued the privilege, and in \'k case of recent accidents refused to accept responsibility. As a resident, 'I protest against (i footpath vesled in the City Council being used by motor cyclists and others to scorch and break records on. When the privilege ■aas granted there neve no houses fronting this footpath. Now there arc dozens, and w.i an afraid to go out of our gates for fear of lx'ing knocked over by reckless cyclists, who have no interests in (ho city, being resident*, cither of Musselburgh or Anderson's Bay, but who are most impertinent if you should happen to get in their way. 1 am glad to see that the City Council intends to stop what is now a positive da tiger. ■ Tho City Council is running a great risk in allowing this to go on, and tho mere excuse- that it has not granted the privilege will not avail il in the event of any more of my children being injured by motor or oilier cyclists, us' it has no right to let them ride on a public footpath.— I am, etc., Dunedin, October 24. Rksidext. Sir,—Anions »U lli-o correspondents who have written to you about this footpath used for cycling, '"J. A. F." is tserhiinly tl'p most impertinent. Jle designates as load hogs pedestrians using what is ;i public footpath. Hut il is persons like "J. A. ¥.'' who have made the position sr. unbearablo to the people who reside along this f'.olpath, that they are determined t.liar. it shall cease to be used for cyeling. When he attempts to make out a privilege to bo » right, it is high time it was stopjx;*.!. Ho. says flta,. permission was granted by the St. Hilda Borough Council. Perhaps it will be a surprise to him to know that not a foot of the track is in that borough. The small piece from the Dunedin boundary. Bay View road, !o Queen's drive, has been put on privaie, property, and the owner has lately had a survey ma-Jo and intends to claim his ground to the proper Nnmdary. Perhaps "J. A. F." will quest ton his rigid, too—l jim, etc.. Jack axu •i'ii.i.. Dunedin, October 25. Sit:, —I think it is high tune that cycling was put. a slop to on this footpath. Tho impudence of those Musselburgh and Bay cyclists is getting beyend alt reason. I live on the Anderson's Bay road, and sometimes it ; s impossible to get out of the gate without having to dodge or get knocked down. 'J lie privilege has lasted long enough, and the City Council must either protect us or run the risk of paying for any damage to people walking on a public footpath. Your correspondent "J. A. F." is beneath notice.—l am, etc., ; - T. A. V. V. V. CIGARETTE SMOKING. Sir, —On the 16th inst. you published the following cable:—"The. enforcement of tho law foroiddiug Canadian boys to smoko cigarettes lias resulted in a. decline in tho consumption to the extent of 30,000,1)00 in eigitt months. The total consumption for the period was 5Y0,000,0U0 cigarettes." Following the example of every civilised country (including Japan), Mew Zealand passed a similar law to that of Canada tor the. suppression of juvenile cigarette suiuking. Great hopes were expected of the bill by its promoters, but so far it hits ■signally tailed in its object. Since the passing of tho bill eeven years ago the increase in the consumption of cigarettes, as shown by the Customs returns, lias steadily gone up, until it ha.-; now doubled, and every day one can meet with boys of quite tender years, who, without fear or shame, indulge in the habit. 1-f only a. portion of the ovils attributed to tlie smoking of cigarettes is true, thou the present state of things is. very much to bo regretted. In Parliament the late Colonel Pitt, the Hon, George Fowlds (the present Minister of Education), the Into Mr Seddon, and others declared that the use of the cigarette, was ma>t baneful on child life, causing heart, lung, eye, and other disorders of the body; that it turned a good boy into a thief and a liar; that 03 per cent, cf the fathtrc* of school examinations were due to the cigarette habit; that 82 per. cent. o[ these taken into reformatories were found to be inveterate smokers of cigarettes,, a.ud were irreclaimable to long as tho cigarette habit continued; that its. general effect was worse than tho opium drug, and that the primary cause of tho drunkenness of the youth of tho Dominion t\a.s duo to this habit. The Minister of Education, quoting from an authority, declared that so acute bad the evil effects become in America that the .Legislature of nearly every State had |>as;ed drastic measures to suppress its u-.c among th» juvenile of tha'. country, and that the principal railway and mercantile companies absolutely refused to employ anyuna indulging in iw use, and 1 say that if udy a portion of this evil is correct it is a public scandal that while vast sums of money arc spent on the education of boys so large a portion of its beneficial results should be Minimised by this habit. I also think, that -not only should the Government follow the example set by Canada, and enforce the law, but they themselves 6hou!d eet mi example by refusing to employ any boy who persisted in the habit of cigarette •unekine.—l am, cic,,

CLERK'S WAGES. \ Silt,—Your correspondent " Accountant." is to bo congratulated on his very forcible letter on tho above subject which appeared in Saturday's issue of your eslcomed paper. • During my 15 years' experience of clerical work in four different countries 1 have . taken a great interest in the conditions ' under which clerks work, and have come j to the conclusion that New Zealand em- ; ploycrs aro "out on their own" in regard j to the inadequate salaries they give their clerical employees. The question naturally arises, Who is to blame f or this unfortunate state of affairs! Tho only solution 1 can give the problem is, the clerks themselves. In New Zealand I have noticed far too much " side" among my clerical brothers, and feel euro that if some of this undesirable element were dropped and a little more esprit do corps substituted a much belter stole of.affairs would result. "Accountant" states that a clerical union is about to to'formed in DuiKdin. I see no wiison why this should not be done at one',.not only in Dunedin, but all over the Dominion. A'few yours ago such an institution was successfully floated in Scotland, and last your Mr .Sydney (X.S.W.) clerks united ami formed a union, which already has done lunch to bring about more snltsi factory remuneration in return for (heir services. Many of the younger clerks in our midst know quite 'well t'hat if it were not for their parents' assistance tliey would not bo able to exist, and they may be sura that while such a state of affairs is allowed to continue clerking will always beliio same—a poor and ill-paid profession. In conclusion, I would carnally ask all those gentlemen who are earning their living al clerical work to give the pioposcd movement their heartiest- support, and we shall soon .see Hint good for us all. will bo the result.—l am, etc., Invercargill, October 25. Lkdueh. THE NEW ZEALAND SOCIETY OF ACCOUNT ANTS. Sir.—Tho most important mailer of the election of members of the council will shortly come before members of the New i Zealand Society of Accounants. As the first council will have the drafting of regulations for submission to the general meeting of members this election will probably lft" of far greater importance lo members than will be the ea.*e in subsequent elections, as the whole status of accountants Will very largely depend upon what form these regulations take. The act says that at any general meeting members may vote by proxy " if and so far a.s I he regulations of the society allow of voting by proxy." No voting by proxy can therefore- apparently bo done, until after the adoption by members in general meeting of regulations providing for voting by proxy. It. .due* not matter where the general mecling be held, the v;wt majority of registered ticoomilants will, under present conditions, be debarred from voting on, or of securing their views being properly expressed during the consideration of, the regulations, as it is obvious that proportionately only a very few would be able to leave (heir business engagements to personally attend the general meeting. As a consequence, if some other step is not taken, the regulations will be adopted by a comparatively smal l section of those entitled to vote. Although empowered by the act. to vote, members are at the same time to all intents and purposes disfranchised on tho vital question of the. regulations governing the society. It may bo urged in answer to this that ihe regulations can afterwards be am-snded. but if once approved by tho Governor-in-Cotincil (as tho act provides) there would naturally bo great difficulty in this, particularly if a small but iulluential section opposed such amendment. It is of far greater importance;,'that Ihe regulations \ should, in tho first instance, be passed having the weight of the undoubted majority of members behind them than that they should l» passed at a comparatively early date with the possible, and probable, feoliag that they were pushed Ihrough a meet- - ing at which only a minority of members were present Ihrough no fault of the m.v jorily. Such a course as the la (tor would ; almost to a certainly leave great discontent in the minds of members'at, their inability to vote on, or even officially to , discus, the legulalions. For Otago we have an excellent selection of gentlemen who are candidates for seals in the council from which to choose, and. personally. I do not think any one of (hose would be a party to attempting to take a.uy ad- ' vantage of: the most peculiar position existing. That is nol, however. Ihe, question. The matter for consideration is that, members are entitled by the act to vole , at any genera,! meeting, and yet by I he [peculiar provisions of the act. are—or, at. any rate tho vast majority are—debarred from exercising that vole on this question of regulations which is Ihe one mo>t vitally affecting; tho association, in the only manner that such can, in the majority of : eases, bo exercised—namely, by proxy. A little lass of time now is of small moment in comparison with satisfactorily . 'meeting members' views and securing very general support to any regulations" that may ultimately be adopted. I would, therefore, suggest (bat candidates for election to the council give some salisfaoiory undertaking that Ihe first regulations shall deal solely with the following questions. :— 1. The making of proper provision for voting cither personally or by proxy at all [general meetings of members. I 2. The establishment on a proper and legal basis cf o. Local Provincial Branch in each of the rjrovineial districts as defined by the New Zealand Society of Accountants Act. 1008 (section 12, sub-section 2), with local 'meetings of members, having jSotvor to adjourn within reasonable limits, and at which voting may be, either personally or by proxy, and a!-:--~ making provision that any proposed regulations forthe government of the society shall, as soon as conveniently may be after being finally drafted by the council, he submitted lo the local branch for discussion with power to make suggested alterations before such regtdal iuiM are submitlcd to the general meeting of members. By adopting some such method us sketched out, above, all members could lx> brought into touch with the passing of the regulations, and would have an opportunity ct expressing their views thereon, whether of approval, amendment, or total disapproval. If. then, they were outvoted that would be the fortune of war, and would probably bo accepted as such without soreness, but them would be soreness with undoubted justification if they were debarred from discussion and vote. Of course, (lis decisions at these local bmnchca would not bo final on the regulations, but they would naturally have great weight. With proper provision Having been made for voting- cither personally or by proxy at tho general meetings, arrangements could be made bv members for gentlemen representing all shades of opiniun, to whom proxies "could bo given, to personally .ilt-end Iho general meetings. This, I Ihink, would overcome ad the difficulties at present existing. I must apologise for trespassing eo much on your space, but the matter is one notonly' cf great personal interest to a very large number of your readers, but is one that may have very far-reaching effects on commercial matters generally in the Dominion in tho brunch of accountancy in the same.—l am, etc., ~ ~ „ Chames Foitu. Dunedin, October 26. •VtNTNER BENEFIT FUND. , Sin,—The committee in charg? cf this tund desires to thank everyone, w-lio in any way assisted to make tho ccaicert held in South Ditnecim such a great suwees, mid desires to thank also the Daily Times, which opened a subscription list and Jrandod to the commiiteo such a handsome donation. On behalf of tho widow and family thanks arc heartily extended, audi we now have pleasure hi submitting- tho balance sheet jvhicli will fbow all subaritcrs owllv how the fund stands at present:Concert receipts, £105 8s; Daily Times list, £62 18s 6d; bedding, etc., £5 8s 6d; cash to aire V., £l; rent-of house, £3 5s 6dwncstf; expenses, £6 2s 6d; cadi in hand' £152 10s -.-total, £168 6s 6u The trustees aj>pointcd by lieid and Gray'ii Committee liavo under consideration several methods of spending the above, and the public can rely on it being expended in Iho best interests of'all concerned. Again thinking all contributors ancl workers,—! am, etc., : I). C. Oakeeo.v, Ju.v., Secretary, i ANGLING ON THE FOUAHAKA. Sin,—As I promised at the end of lasc season to let the anglers interested know how the river and iho trout would be alfected through tho pollution of the water by dredging or mining up the Ponmhalta. I aru very glad to say that the trout aro in splendid condition. 1 have not seen thorn in ouch good order for a good few years, and they are very plentiful. The trout I caught ! al the Raiiklekuxn, on the Pomahaka,. all ! by lly, were just in the pink of condition, j Tliey were up to 31b, and averaged Hlb, at j the fia.'ikleburn. On the Tupanui Flat, or abowi Kelso, on the tlat, up to the State nursery, they scarcely average jib, but arc extra ylenliful. Anglers about Tapamit and Kelso are, I think, making good bag=. I would recommend any anglers who want a few days' sport to try the Pomahaka at

j tho Rankleburn, or down about tho Burning Plains, on the Pomahaka. There is a good anghrs' hut at each place. If anyone wa.its any information, and writes ; to me, I will be only too glatl to do all ' I can for the n. Address, " Tapanui, I Angler." About tho pollution of the j i water: As far as the season has gone we [cannot complain very.much; it has been ! all along a little discoloured, but not bad. \ 1 think the mast of the pollution has been i caused by digging a long way above the dredge—l am, etc., Tapaxui Angler. Tapanui, October 25. SHALL WOMEN VOTE? Sin,—l see by your paper a grea l - many clergy of tho Synod wished to give women ' a vote in church matters. They know I from experience what women have done,' and only women can do. But 1 will refresh iIK-ir minds again First thing, see the family attend church on Sundays; tile children are prepared for Sunday school; husbands' clothes are brushed; books and handkerchiefs are in their pockets—nor. forgetting the collection; while ihe women remain in most cases ai home to have a good dinner prepared. During ihe week she tews for the guild or for a church ; bazaar lo pay olf working- expenses; looks! up new churclqjeople; sees that her bus- i band goes to his vestry meeting by re- ' minding him half a dozen times, till I o.ien, for tho woman's and peace sake, he i goes—not for the object, as his tire' and i hooks jjlea.se him better. Now, to my mind, a church in a small way would often be shut, if it were not for Iho women, and Ihe minister would have to go on tho land, like many more have gone lately in all walks of life. It is only when a woman gi'U a foot in public life that men wake : up and want, lo go with them, as they have had things too easy in iho past. Look at the election;. The' men run after us with their motor cars, traps, etc., before j the ballot box is open. Before we. were ' quite passed ov?r. It makes women take a pride in their work when thev know they are appreciated. We ought to work together, and put more life into the church— not, as show members, but qtiiellv, as no woman pushes herself forward unless she expects to bo snubbed. But let them have, a say, and they will fill your churches and collect enough in 12 months to build your Cathedral and give manv a vicarage every honic comfort. Thev work' without, fuss and tiring peace in most eases. I hope next year we will -ret a vole.—l --am etc., ,\ Woman. THE DELUSIVE THREE-FIFTHS. Sir,—As a. solution of the majority question I .make the following suggestion: ' "That, with a view of making no-license' permanent wherever installed, .the trade bo required to secure- the same majority for restoration as was secured for no-license." Thus, if an electorate carried no-license with a 500 majority, Ihe trade would have to secure a similar majority before restoration was carried. Seeing thai Auckland, Wellington, and Dunedin had majorities of from 2000 to 3000, and other 30 electorates had majorities of 500 and over, I think you will agree that Ihe permanency of no-license would be assured. As a bare majority advocate I am prepared to Rive it a trial. What do you say to it?— I am, etc.. October'2B. • Believe It. COTTAGE HOSPITAL FOR PORT CHALMERS. Sir,—l timet again ask your indulgence in bringing this matter again before tho i ratepapors of Port Chalmers. In .Tunc last, when tho matter of a- site was decided on by the council, I made some strong remarks as to the unsuitableness of tho site for such an institution, and said that if the full width of the street wore allowed very little ground would be left- for tho building. At the council's last meeting a letter was read from the surveyor who had surveyed the site, but had found it c-o small as to be unsuitable unless 26 f t of Wickliffo te-r----raou were taken in, and ho suggested that the Government be asked to consent to Wickliffe terrace- being reduced in width to ; Wft. I trust, that tho ratepayers will strongly object to such a course, as there, aro many suitable sites to bo got with very little trouble ajid exertion, without encroaching on the streets of- tho borough. It says very little for those who have this matter in hand, seeing it is nearly two j years since Mr John Mil! brought it Wore i the Hospital Board. Until a few weeks •ago the sum ot only £285 was in hand. The balance may have come in since, but 1 ha\e never «un this in print. However, the v.i'iolu matter, looked at in any way, ha.i been carried ililirough without any enthusiasm on the, nan: of thos.6 interested. I No appeal that 1 tin aw-a.ro of has been ' made- to the works.rs of the Port, for who's 3 benefit, the hospital is being built. Just ■ look what a great, opportunity was missed ' to collect, a- few pounds when the big si earner was in dock last week. The Marina : Labourers' Union in asking that, the matter I be expedited, was inform-sd that all the' necessary steps hsd own taken, and that the matter now rested with the Hospital Beard. In the face of the c-urveyor's ~fi-

port at the eamo meeting', when ]» 6!atctl that the site was too 6mall unless tlie street wero fenced in, how. can the matter rest with the Hospital Board unless it if provided with a suitable site to build on?—I am, etc., October 25. J. S. 11. THE COST OF RAILWAY CONSTRUCTION. Sir,—As far as I have boon informed Mr James Allen's statements lire correct re cost of our railway works. On the Catlins line IDs a yard is being paid for metal ballast, when if the Public Works and Railway Departments were to work together gravel ballast from the Clutha River could bo put. down at ss. As to the co-operative system, labour in ninny cases does not give value for money paid; hence the high cost of our railway construction, The same applies to our drainago works hero from a labour point of v.cw.—l am, etc., Electoe. A WORKKirs GRIEVANCE. Sill,—Please permit me to enter' a protest, against a few men employed at the Dunedin coal siding. They all receive a good weekly wage, and are not content with that, but (hey must lill coal at Is a ton in their spare time. By doing this they are depriving other men who could nut do a hard day's work, but can always earn 5s or 6s a day tilling coal for the dilferent linns, and are always there to do so. Hoping the coal merchants will see fair play and live and let live.—l am, etc., Kmb Play. TO THOSE WHO WANT L.VND. Sin—ln England public bodies are allowed io acquire blocks of land for the , purpose of being cut up into -small holdings and sold to workers on easy terms, who their can start poultry, boo, pig, dairy, and fruit farms. The English Government provides the public bodies with money, which is paid back in time. I appeal to every laudkss colonial to use his influence to' got our Government to copy the English Act byextending t>ho operations of the new Land Settlement Finance Bill, and allowing all public bodies, such as councils ami boroughs, to acquire land outside the city limits, the Government to provide or loan loach public body (which would act lis Government trustee or agent) the money. They could buy land in the King Country if they chose—l am, etc,, >" S. Pearson.. Wellington, October 25. CRICKrJT. Sin—ln your report of the Otago Cricket Association's mooting, which appeared in .this morning's paper, your reporter states: " After considerable discussion as to whefcliOT .Wordsworth should piay with the Albion or Opoho dubs, it was resolved, on tlie- casting vote of the chairman., that lie should play, with the Albion Club." Tihis is altogether misleading, as the real discussion was whether Wordsworth should play for Dunedin or Albion, and the casting voto of t.ho chairman had to decide this question, not whether Wordsworth should play for Ojwho. The Opoho Club's claim was summarily dismissed.—l am, etc., October 26." One Who Knows. A USE FOR A VACANT ENDOWMENT. Silt,—l noticed in your columns a few days ago that it was suggested tho plot of vacant land at tho corner of York place and Stuart street tihould be utilised in some form, an J rendered more sightly than at present. This is a school endowment, and may bo required for school purposes some day, but there is no doubt that until it is needed it could be used with advantage, if it were first put in order and a neat fence erected round it, after which it could be- formed into equal sized plots, and one of each given to the schools in the district for the scholars to attend to. If this were done, prizes could be given annually for the best-kept plots, and I, for one, would willingly subscribe toward that object, as, apart from its costing the citiR'ii6' nothing to maintain, it would beautify the locality and would teach the children something of practical gardening and benefit them m many ways —I am, e'.e, EAIIDLEt C. ItEIKOLDS. Dunedin, October 26. RAILWAY TOURS. SiHj—ln some- of tne illustrated! Christinas pipers the Gowniiuic-iiit has advertiseinontsMrawingattention to travelling facilities to thermal springs of North Island, to hot springs at Hammer, to tho cold lakes and glacial districts of Otago, and to round trip tours through Central Otago, Tho tickets are all caillcd' " excursion," and aw available for three months, but while in the cases of the thermal and hot springs cfo-t-ricts only 10 miles have to be. traversed teioro the journey can be hrok&ty in repaid to all the Otago tours a 25-milcs' limit is imposed. 1 would 1» obliged if you or any .of your readers could explain why this extra and, apparently, vexatious restriction is placed on southern tourists.—l am, etc.,