Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 88, 5 July 1927, Page 10

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

“INDEPENDENT” REFORMERS Sir, — I think it. high time some Reformers did show their independence, and I think Messrs. Potter and Harris are to be commended for their courage in refusing to be led like blind men by Mr. Coates and Co. The electors did not return these members to sacrifice the public interest at the behest of party, and I venture to say that if they were to appeal to the electors in the manner suggested by “Face the Music,” they would be again returned to Parliament, despite the cheap sneers of your correspondent—who appears to be a hide-bound Tory, politically blind and venomously biased. PUBLIC BEFORE PARTY. “THE SENSATION OF 1927” Sir, There is an old saying: “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” It has been well exemplified, following upon the launching of a novel insurance scheme in connection with your up-to-date newspaper THE SUN. I would suggest that if you have any more good ideas to give us, you take out a patent for them as I can’t find anything in our criminal code to deal with the people who steal ideas. It is indeed, to put it mildly, paltry and unprincipled and makes one wonder if the dignity of the Press has died suddenly. M. HARDIE. 98 Eden Terrace, July 4, 1927. “TOTE” AND “BOOKIE” Sir. Your correspondent, “Liberty,” accuses the Church of being commercial and twits it with opposing gambling because gambling leaves less money for religion. I am glad I have not the mind .of “Liberty.” Cannot evil be opposed without its opponents being accused of mercenary motives? Not by those with the morals of “Liberty,” I dare say. However, there are others, with cleaner and less biased views. I

would hazard a guess that “Liberty” knows more about bookmaking than about the Church —he would find the latter cheaper for his pockets and more beneficial for his soul, if he would patronise it. As for licensing the bookmaker, the young people of this country would have quite enough encouragement to gamble as it is without having “the books" waiting at every street corner (or in “snide” offices in every building) to catch their shillings. We have quite enough parasites in this country. Let the bookmaker get work —the machine called the “tote” can perform his iniquitous operations. NOT BLIND. “AIDA” Sir, — If your anonymous correspondent “Diavolo.” will write to the committee of the Auckland Choral Society, which is responsible for the choice of works, and sign his proper name, he will get good and sufficient reasons which may, or may not be, what he desires. A. FAIRBURN, Hon. Publicity Agent. UNJUST RUMOURS Sir, — The unjust and scandalous rumour that a returned soldier with badge was seen leaving the premises of the Normal School, about the time of the fir© on Sunday last, disgusts one. It was the same at the time of the Ponsonby murder a few years ago. At that event every returned soldier was supposed to have removed his badge. The finding of a blood-stained military coat close to the scene of the recent Christfhurch murder also gives one the “pip.” These idle rumours are a slur on the returned soldiers. J. L. M. SIMPKINS. Symonds Street. P.S.—The writer of this letter argues that there is no more truth in these rumours than in those that two experienced and well-known doctors were seen catching stray dogs in the Domain one night last week for vivisection purposes.