LETTERS TO THE EDITOE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16537, 10 November 1915, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOE

MOVING PICTURES!. Sir, —I have no inclination to advertise the pictures by corresponding with one who is nameless. Only let me set down four things which appear in tho letter of "Chairman, Cinema Enterprises (Ltd.)." (1) Partiality: "Chairman" quotes only \yhiit was reported as having been said by two ministers, and ignores what was said by two laymen, because it suits his purpose. The strongest criticism I have ever heard of pictures was from a while, at the very meeting reported, a third layman sjnoko more strongly than the other two. (2) Contradiction: "Chairman" writes — "The pictures shown in Dunedin are precisely the same as those shown in every other town." Then he tells us that in Dunedin "any feature that may seem objectionable" is cut out after tho first run. The pictures are "precisely the eamc," yet some features are cut out! Another town may cut out what Dunedin leaves in. Qpo town, for example, may show sconce 1, 2, 4, 5; a second, 1, 2, 5; a third, 1, 2, 3, 5.; Dunedin 1, i 4, 5. Yet they are "precisely tho same pictures. (3) Irrelevance; To shift the stigma of showing degrading pictures from tho "managers of theatres" to the "film supply companies" is only a trick, though it is a very old one. It doea not in the least alter the character of the pictures, though it has much to* do with tho character of the managers. (4) Inaccuracy: Because I said, "As far as my experience goes, the Dtuiedin shows axe really the worst of all." your correspondent says that I "brand the Dunedin picture housee as tho woret in Now Zealand," and I am oven made to include, tho one "that has' for years been subject to clerical censorship." In effect I am made to say that I know all tho picture ' houses in New Zealand, and that all those in Dunedin arc worse than any of the others. I made no 'such "unguarded utterances," with "zealous irresponsibility." I expect to ba away from Dunedin for three weeks; but if "Chairman, etc." disagrees with what is here written and wishes to say so, with your permission, I shall bo ready for him on November 29, all being well, li ho should continue nameless there may bo no obligation to reply.—l am, etc., Alex. Don. Dunedin, November 6. Sir,—Your correspondent "Chairman, Cinema Enterprises (Ltd.)' : complains of the "immoderate and uncharitable criticism" of tho "reverend gentleman" at the .-meetings of the Presbyterian Sabbath _ School Association. Now, this association is not in any way a "clerical" gathering, but an association of voluntary lay workers in the

interests of the rising generation, who meet regularly to study the practical problems relating to the welfare of childhood and early adolescence. Very few ministers ever attend. An association of this kind_ is highly competent to deal with any question relating to the well-being of the young peopla for whom they are labouring. Several of the laymeri present at the meeting last Tuesday used language of the very strongest description in condemning some of the pictures that have been exhibited. When the "carmy" Scottish laymen agree with the Catholic Federation in demanding a change, most people will conclude that there is something in it, and will not be side-tracked by any cry about "clerical" criticism. The Catholic Federation is to be congratulated on the movement that it has initiated. Wjllyou, Sir, allow me to state the position held by most people interested in the welfare of the youth of our country? (1) Picture ehows could be highly educative and most beneficial to young people. (2) Pictures dealing with vulgar or criminal, or "suggestive" scenes are hurtful to impressionable and inflammable minds. (3) The Government should exercise eome adequate supervision over the pictures exhibited. (4) Larger use should be made of pictures dealing with history, biography, and travel. The pictures could be the best ally of the teacher, the minister, the doctor, and the statesman. (5) Judging from the advertisements in the press, and from the comments of competent and impartial eye 'witnesses, we believe that some of the pictures exhibited in New Zealand are undesirable, and that definite action should bo taken to secure an immediate and permanent reform.—l am, etc., J.C.J. THE WAR PENSIONS. Sib, —The intimation in your issue of this morning that the war pensions to the dependents upon those who fall in battle are a doubtful quantity will have come ae a shock to many who are interested in this matter. Apart from shirkers and slackers, there are not a few among us who, though fit and willing to enlist, are deterred by considerations of financial obligations, direct or indirect, to others/ and they are not prepared to risk their wellbeing to the priding of a court of any description, or even to expose them and their private affairs to an official investigation. You strike the right note when- you say that "a war pension should be received as of absolute right. , ' But the public utterances of the Minister of Defence on such questions are not reassuring. Instead of the bold, determined declarations of a strong man occupying a responsible position in a time of crisis, there is a noticeable tendency to'rely upon the uncertain efforte of patriotic associatiohs and individuals for requirements, that should be made certain by official administrative action. In financial concerns there is a suggestion of timidity, if not of dread, in the contemplation of the heavy financial cloud that is looming ahead above the horizon, and that threatens to make demands that will be beyond the reach of present theories of public finance. Let those who possess means, show their patriotism by making financial sacrifice commensurate to the sacrifice demanded of those who are physically fit, and there will be a great impetus given to recruiting; and, as this sacrifice is not, and will not be, forthcoming voluntarily, let those in authority show practically the same zeal in this aspect of the matter as they are showing in urging men to recruit, and so relievo the situation. Many are willing enough to go, but under present conditions they may not—l am, etc., ' J. D. B. F. THE MAY MORN CAMP. ■ Sir,— During last week a paragraph appeared in your paper relative to the conditions at M>ay Morn camp. The statement that there is an examination twice daily for measles, and the alarming reports as to the condition of the camp, may have caused alarm amongst Dunedin folk who have eons here. Up to the present only a few cases of measles have occurred here. We have been examined only twice in 19 days. Ono statement only in the paragraph was correct —namely, that regarding tho mud. We have had a lot of rain since wo arrived, and the ground is simply a quagmire after a heavy fall.. It dries quickly, however, after a few hours' sunshine. The sanitation of the camp is splendid, and the only thing that worries us at present is the astonishing amount of red tape which prevails, and which is very irritating to enthusiastic volunteers. To quote a few instances: We are compelled by regulation to buy a cane to walk out with; to walk with rifle at the trail—never at the slope—and to march 30 paces a minute m faster than infantry. Although wo are a special force, we receive no special treatment. Rather tho reverse. We were invited to the races last week, and had to pav full fare—ls 4d for eight miles return. We also had to buy our meals at Trcntham canteen, which, as we were specially invited to the races, was decidedly unjust treatment. We axe also invited to buy our own socks, as the Government once are inferior, and to provide ourselves with "housewives," boot polishing outfit, and various other things out of tho 4s a day we are at present receiving. We apparently do not seem to be much appreciated bv anybody, but it docs not interfere with our enthusiasm. We are getting into splendid fettle, and axe eager to get away and into the thick of tho fighting. We have splendid officers.—l am, etc.. Rifleman. May Morn Camp, November 4. DISCOURTESY TO THE KING. Sib, —I was standing for a few minutes among the crowd at the recruiting meeting at the Town Hall steps on Saturday night, and when the band started to play the National Anthem I noticed, to my disgust, that a portion of the male section in the crowd omitted to remove their hats. I went up to two men who were so disloyal in their attitude., and quito respectfully asked them if they had any objection to removing their hats. They turned round in a very hostile manner and asked me if I had anything to do with the recruitinsr office, and upon my sayinc: "No," they became vory nbusive, and told me to mind my own business. Wo had some words on tho matter, and I got further abuse from them, and as the band then finished the incident closed.

Some of your readers may say that I should have knocked thoir hats off, but 1 would like to point out that the attitude of the police in euch a matter is very arbitrary, and I should probably have had to eool my heels in a cell as the result of afterdevelopments. 1 should like to know, however, whether the police can take action to ?ee that no such acte of disloyalty take place in public. If not, the sooner such power is •onferred on them tho better. We do not want to have disturbances among private citizens over thh matter, but in th<\se strenuous times we should put down with no uncertain action such continued insults to our King and Empire.—l am, etc., Dunedin, November 8. Vigilant.

THE LUGGATE BRIDGE. Sir,—My son, Mr E. Fletcher lioberta, is at tho front, "somewhere in France," and is therefore- unable to reply to Mr Sheppard'e letter, which appeared in your issue of Saturday. I have an intimate knowledge of the circumstances, and very much doubt whether Mr Sheppard is aware of the full facts, as he status. From documents and data which my son left here, und from my own personal knowledge, I ajii able to give '.'the" facts. At the end of the year 1911 and beginning of 1912 Mr Menzies, lioeneed surveyor and county engineer, appioached Mr Roberts, who was ix licensed surveyor, and, in addition, had acquired, through a long courso of workshop training and hard study, tho qualifications necessary for the design of engineering structures. Certain proposals were made, which Mr Roberts did not fall in with; but he suggested to Mr Menzies that competitive designs should bo called for, and ho would have a "cut in" for the design, or, as an alternative, that they should become joint engineers. After some protracted negotiations Mr Menzies, adopting the last idea, formally offered, in his official capacity, under date February 27, 1912, a position to Mr Roberts as assistant engineer to the Vincent County Council, while the plans of the bridge were being prepared, and agreed to tho insertion of Mr Roberto's name in the plans as joint designer with his own. Mr Roberts thereupon threw up a valuable position he held in tho City Corporation for a temporary one of three or four months with the Vincent County. He immediately set to work and made two complete designs, from one of which the Luggate bridge was built, and I have no hesitation in saying that the principal features and details were his own ideas, and the successful completion of the work, without alterations or hitches, was in great measure due to his practical knowledge, which he put into the drawings. Mr Menzies gave assistance when he. could spare the time, especially in checking the many calculations, and he also carried out all the survey work, as well as the general supervision during erection. The plana, when completed, bore the names of Jas. E. Menzies and E. Fletcher Roberts, bracketed together as engineers.—l am, etc., November 8. Edwahd Robeets.