Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 141, 5 September 1927, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

JAZZING “THE MIKADO” Sir, 5 From time to time people make merry at this or that alleged “injustice" to” Ireland or Scotland. Now, however, the English themselves may well cry to high heaven for redress. For has not the sacred solemnity of England’s comic opera been outraged by gross travesty—and by Germans at that. They have jazzed “The Mikado”; no less. Incredibly blasphemous as this sounds, there seems no reason to doubt the authenticity of the report. But whether Downing Street will regard the incident as a “casus belli” (or the heavens fall) is not yet clear. NANKI POO.

APPRECIATES THE COMPETITIONS

Sir, — Being a visitor to your city, I would like to say before leaving how we appreciated the efficient manner in wiiicfi your competitions were conducted. They would be a credit to many cities where competitions are of more frequent occurrence. The work of the performers was of a very high order and a high degree of skill was required on the part of the judges. I would state that the elocution judge had a difficult task to perform, but his results prove that he was well chosen for the position. I hope that in the future we may have the pleasure of hearing more of the talent as displayed m your city, to which we will look forward.

JAMES DOUGLAS Dunedin

MISPRONUNCIATION ON THE AIR

Sir, — For a listener of only one week’s experience, “Pedant” displays a zealousness in pedantry befitting even the great Fowler himself. As a keen listener, my observations tflcl me that three different voices made the mistakes complained of, and which I also noticed. Having listened over a much longer period than one week under six different evening announcers I must record my keen appreciation' of the latest occupant of the announcership. As I understand that this gentleman is acting in a relieving capacity during Mr. Culford Bell’s absence, it appears to me that he Is making a remarkable success of a difficult job. His efforts to relieve tlie usual monotonous methods, and his versatility, are, I am sure, much appreciated by all listeners of over one week’s experience. Perfection in any effort is indeed rare. In fact, I have even seen an error in a newspaper How monstrous! Musical pronunciations are very important, but thank goodness we at last have an announcer whose purity of English is most satisfying to we fathers of school children. CONSTANT LISTENER.

BOOKMAKERS AS REVENUE PRODUCERS

Sir, — So much has been said lately about the heavy taxation to which racing clubs are subject that it is quite a relief to read of a club's president saying that “As this taxation was passed on by the clubs to the public in all instances, I do not think clubs have much to complain about.” No more they have, for Otahuhu Trotting Club’s profit for the past season is well above the average for the past 19 years Mr Mackenzie, the Otahuhu Club’s presi dent goes on to say: “It is the public which has every reason to complain and I trust in the near future the Government will see its way clear to reduce taxation, so that the club can pass on the reduction to the public ” bo Mr. Mackenzie would have us think that the clubs have the interest of the public at heart, and that any reduction ln taxation which might be granted would be passed on to the public The writer knows as well as anyone that many clubs are in a bad "wav financlally, but he also knows that no reduction in taxation can be looked for until the consolidated fund can be compensated for any such reduction bv taxation from another source—the

bookmaker. These persons have enjoyed freedom from taxation for 17 years solely through the kindness or shortsightedness of the racing authorities. They have done everything to annihilate them and have failed ignominiously, the reason being that the majority of people prefer the bookmaker to the totalisator. As proof of this one has only to note the number of New Zealand horses which are taken over to Australia. It is not the stakes that attract owners, but the facility which is open to them to support their horses at any time for any race which they may deem their chances of winning second to none, and having supported the horse they do not have to hide the fact from their friends for fear of reducing the dividend. Racing in New Zealand will never thrive as it should so long as owners are denied the privilege of supporting their horses in the open market. When our own members of Parliament take horses over for the purpose of backing them it must be obvious that racing conditions need revision in this country, and the sooner that facts are looked in the face with unprejudiced "minds and the bookmaker is converted to a revenue producer the sooner will racing thrive from every standpoint. EX-OWNER. Edendale.

THE HARBOUR BRIDGE AND IMPORTED MATERIAL

Sir, — Your correspondent, “C.H.N." accuses me of fallacious reasoning in dealing with the harbour bridge and imported material, and says we do not pay for imports with “money,” but with “money’s worth, that is, primary produce, ’ and in effect further says it does not matter two straws if we import the whole material required; we will not send any money out, nor will it reduce employment by a single hour. So then to be logical. “C.H.N.,” it will not make any difference if we import all the material and also the men to put it together. We shall be just as well off. We really must “ask a policeman.” Now, Sir, any schoolboy knows that international dealing is done largely by exchanges or barter, but we still use such phrases as “the money will be kept in the country, or “the money will be sent out of the country,” and on the same page of THE SUN in which “C.H.N.’s” letter appears, there is a quotation from the Palmerston North Chamber of Commerce dealing with motor body building as follows: “This would provide employment for a large number besides keeping a considerable amount of money in New Zealand.” “C HN ” should certainly call this chamber of commerce to account for its fallacious reasomng, as, according to him, it is all topsy-turvy in its contention. However, let us take "C.H.N.'s” statement , bat . , we . pay in “primary produce.” VV hat is Auckland’s primary produce” ab i y ' butter - Now assume A . uckland exports a million boxes of butter (it will be more of course) c ° m j n P season, and assume that Auckland builds its harbour bridge m,iia e -? an J e - time - Wm the f aet that we bmid it of imported steel produce any more butter or any less? Certainly not as whether we build the bridge in steel Jt oncre '-® will not affect the production of butter by one pound "C HN h ” IeSS th ? bridge - according to be pald for out of the ba “ ei ; aPd , lf . we take his advice and t steel it is an easy matter to ha'??*? S We simply hand over bal k the butter - But if my idea of using our own material and our own men is put into operation we would be 1“ o mess - having sent all our butter away, and according to “C HX ” fven n be m a°We y ’i f ° r U ’ we would not * able to b a y the 120 or so Die briSge r tl,r, h ° would be working on Lire Diia fo e their wages. Will “C HX ” answer this rather far-fetched but Suivf loeica1 ' question. If Auckland vith one pastime, bridge-buildin” a rd ™ S r ati ° f n ' exporting butter," pends

rightly, and we use concrete for wr bridge, perhaps we had better keep th. butter at home and pay cur bridgeworkers in pounds of butter, bat * still contend concrete is tlie solutes for the bridge. Mount Eden. W. A. CARTER

LABOUR IN AMERICA Sir.— I think a section of the audios & who attended Dr. Goodrich’3 lector in the University was disappoints i I know- I was. It was hardly teas. that the doctor in a lecture te cou~ adequately deal with a subjec t of roc. * magnitude. The lecturer partially an analysis of labour com--tions from the War of Independence to the present day. But the hun# element in the labour problem IM* mentioned by the speaker. America gained her independence, | announced in her famous declarat. “the equality of all men,” it was sumed that the world w'ould see “• great enigma—poverty, advancing**- J increasing wealth —partially, « “ j completely, solved. Alas! DisapP*®ment has followed disappointment! I great Republic of the West has J;' j no problem. To-day she is the of multi-millionaires and Despite her enormous wealth | tion, she has the same evils as & » in the existence of a pauper ait - criminal class. An tyrannical, more powerful, w IB rupt than that of the Old Wow . been set up. Professors of E con '.„,. in Universities are mostly unCo ® V ing While we can safely leave * g | branches of science to historical economy (the most \ y of all the- sciences) is so interw with human nature that it is 0 £ | the pale of which a university e ; teach. Political economy, if Qyzy Tin a certain way, may “touch ’ g. interests, and as Herbert s P enc ®Lj* 3 the truth of the law of && ; would have been combated u ceptance had impeached the gT vested interests. In his short Dr. Goodrich did not even rw’ . probability of a clash betw worker and employer —a clasn leaders of American thoughi not improbable. Chairs in universities should be would be just as logical to | chairs of | CASTANETS AND TAMBOUR® 1 I am interested in the j \ tions of the present c °“y: s■£ and, having travelled in ■ m ° iheTt 2? I I tries of the world, think . flB some excellent teachers in and some talented young comparing well with those m countries. I I have been to Spain _ : t studied Spanish dancing W 1„ J ate of the famous “Otero Spain; also with Elsa one of the most noted : as teacher and dancer, an many Spaniards in their ■ do not agree with the judg f II and am curious to know tb* secured her information. , u g*: Hj place, tambourines are ? Spanish dancing (although. ck v '_ I competitors were exceeding* There are no “positi° nS 9H dancing, most of which orig oMoorish dancing, hence aris BP Oriental steps, attitudes al^ er atk fif ments. There is no nique whatever. A semi-operatic steps in l ** sV jA&i techinque. I have also & S 3 playing of the castan^jß not “always played ? n *,, Ip third beat” (see &aThere is infinite vari et ? ■■ and rhythm of the playing tanets. I could enlarge ® 6 W particular “hobby” ° r n3l . 11 ch oi ‘ B wish to take up too n* valuable space H