Citizens Say-

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 13, 6 April 1927, Page 8

Citizens Say-

To the Editor.

THE WEDDING MARCH Sir,— I read an account in Tuesdav. ... of the Wedding March beine h ■ cast for a couple in Melbourne A*?' last week here in Auckland IYA h. cast the Wedding March for a r oaa ' 1 so you see Auckland is j ust a . date as Melbourne, or should j Melbourne is just as Auckland ? as E. ROBBINS. REPORTING WITH DISCRETION Sir,— I very often deplore the manner i. which criminal cases are detailed ‘ S our local papers, and was relieved 1® see in Friday s SUN that an unpleSai® case was reported in a much seemly manner, so that children wS not have their curiosity aroused Itquite impossible these busy davit t keep children from seeing the nanee and as there is so much that thi ’ should read I consider it a duty i editors to help the parents by at lekt veiling these deplorable cases and nm ting them in words that will not at tract inquiring minds. Please accem my personal thanks and, I’ m su „ those of many others. A MOTHER. CIVIC SQUARE A WOMAN’S POINT OF VIEW Sir, — In the early days of Auckland the city fathers in laying out Shortland and High Streets would not dream of parting with what they called an inch of rate-producing land, to extend High Street to the waterfront, and if such a thing were even hinted at, shook their heads and looked grave. Our city fathers of the present day would be well advised not to inflict the errors of their civic grandfathers on the Civic Square. Why not let them arise to the occasion and leave the square open for the enjoyment of the citizens; build a rest house for the ladies, lay down grass and paths, tram tracks surrounding the outskirts, and save the ratepayers’ money? The sky-scraper building part of the community will only be too happy to do the ornamenting by surrounding the square on the higher ground with noble and lofty buildings to pay the rates, leaving air space and contentment for one and all. ELIZABETH. THE PRICE OF FRUIT Sir, — From time to time we see in the daily journals complaints from retailers and others that the people axe not eating enough fruit. So far I have not seen a letter of explanation from a consumer, so if you will permit me, here goes: Personally I am a great lover of fruit, but am obliged to curb my appetite on account of the high prices. Oranges average 4s a dozen, apples, best quality, 6d and 8d a lb, with very second rate 4d. Yesterday I indulged in 21b. of apples, out of which I got two eatable ones; the rest were rotten from the core to about half an inch from the skin, though they looked lovely. Evidently they had been in the freezer for 12 months. How many people can afford 2d each for apples and 4d for oranges? I recently spent a few years in Australia, where in the season the finest grapes I have tasted were 3d a lb. Needless to say, I invariably consumed a pound a day. Onions at present are 3s 9d a cwt. in the markets. The retailers are charging 51b. a shilling—that is 22s 5d a cwt. Is fruit on the same margin of profit? Personally, and doubtless I’m only one of many, if fruit were cheaper it would never be off my table, whereas it must perforce be treated as a luxury. Isn’t it time retailers, and probably growers too, realised that smaller profits with quick returns mean better business. They may growl about the amount of stock going bad on their hands, but is it any wonder? They would rather “dump” it than sell cheaper. An Act of Parliament should be passed compelling shopkeepers to mark fruit which has been in cold storage. It’s a pity consumers would not give up fruit altogether for a while. Perhaps that would have the required effect. I would be glad to join or promote such a movement. FRUIT-BUG. , Devonport. _j THE DAY OF THE BUS fj Sir,— The mayoral and council election! are close at hand and it behoves the citizens to place in these positions mea best suited to'carry out the responsibilities without fear or favour. One question that stands out very prominently at present is that of the proposed extension of the tramways, and the people will be called upon to authorise the council to spend a sum of £500,000, which is an undertaking that requires much thought. A great deal of this amount is to be expended in extending the tramways. Well, if my experience— extending over close on five years, visiting all the principal cities of the British Empire, America and Continent of Europe, with plenty of time to spare—is worth anything, I consider it quite improper to spend another shilling on the extension of tramways. They have had their day and are fast making their way to the scrap heap, just as our old horse trams have done. The motor-bus will supersede them all, and the more money that is spent on good roading, the greater benefit will these buses be to the community. In no city that I visited was there any desire on the part of the travelling public for an increase in trams. Motorbuses in every centre seemed to be the most popular means of conveyance. It is easily understood the trams must have overhead lines and must stick to the beaten track, while the motor-buses can go almost anywhere and consequently are a greater convenience to the public. I venture to say that in less than ten years the tramways all over the world will have had their monuments erected to them, with an epitaph thereon to the effect that their course is finished. Here in New Zealand, so far away from the rest of the world, and where many of the people have not * ia ._ opportunities of seeing and deciding things for themselves, they must naturally be influenced by those who nav visited the other great centres of tn world. It would be imprudent for anybody to advocate the extension of the tran J' ways—even though they speak *r° an economical point of view, conside - ing there is so much money investeu in tramways. It may be economic but not progressive. If we are to s with the times we must take up | attitude whereby progress and fort is brought about. Better tor council not to spend a further shil on motor-buses or tramways, but g the right to private enterprise to in and fill the gap. And in the nie . time to cut their losses, as they have to do sooner or later. a Municipal council’s day for runn passenger traffic is over. Private en prise in the motor-buses regulate the council will oust it. Nothing stop this. The New Zealander, thou» far away, must endeavour to nee* abreast of the times. _ w. F. DARBX* * _