Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 637, 13 April 1929, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

MUSIC IN THE HOME Sir. — Would you kindly allow me to issue a word of warning to housewives. A case has come to my notice of a poor woman being over-persuaded by a very plausible gentleman to invest in a “so-called” musical instrument, including instruction in same, paying a few shillings weekly. Now the hardship is that the women are told to sign a paper, and this is an agreement which is so worded that the article is not returnable if the payments cannot be met, and canvassers are able to terrify their victims with the threat of a summons. “WARNING.” ELLERSLIE ROADS Sir, — Having been a ratepayer at Ellerslie for over three years. I am getting a little impatient at waiting to hear what the local Road Board is doing. Or have we a board at all? Each year our rates are duly paid, but, beyond .a little tarring and sanding for a few chains of the main street and the Ladies’ Mile, what do we get in return? Nothing at all. Only the privilege of paying our rates by a certain date, with a penalty of a ten per cent, fine for non-compliance. Most of the streets on the south side -of Panmure Road are a positive disgrace to any European settlement, particularly Glasgow Road, which hasn’t even a decent track through it, being covered with blackberry, gorse and other noxious weeds. It may be noted that this august board has not on one occasion during the period already mentioned had its deliberations published in the daily Press! At all events it looks as if the ratepayers of Ellerslie are at long last waking up now that they are moving in the matter of linking up with Greater Auckland. GLASGOW ROAD. NAVAL ARMAMENT Sir, — We must play the game, and play it quickly. Here is Russia emphasising the fact of her championship of the Kellog Pact, with a view to recognition by, and trade with, America. Now British business men “are moving rapidly to be first in the field.” The world situation has changed with kaleidoscopic rapidity. With all due regard for the somewhat impolitic warning of “Pertinafx,” we must remember that the Russians are our brothers, and we may help ourselves (and France too) in helping them in the present great need. Nor can we be behind Russia in our appreciation of the Kellog Pact. In view of the latest advice from Washington, it is sheer waste of time to dwell upon the palpably false and jaundiced views of Frank Simonds re Anglo-American friendship, the Kellog Pact, and the motives behind America’s naval programme. Recognising that circumstances must determine America’s future actions, in what is most likely an inspired statement, we are told: “It may be necessary for the British Government to adopt the prin-

ciple that there never will be war between Britain and the United States.” And it is added: “The United States will be willing to offer_encouraging reasons for its acceptance.” We cannot afford to scoff at such a proposition as this. We must not dally or trifle with it. This is one of those tides in the affairs of nations which should be taken at the flood. Since Uncle Sam is willing to meet us half way, there is no reason why we should not fully reciprocate. Disarmament can safely proceed only with the growth of good faith and goodwill. Now that evidences of these are manifest, the time is ripe for an all-round drastic reduction of armaments, and the prospects of the ideals of the League of Nations being realised are brighter to-day than ever before. ANGLO-AMERICAN. BARE PATCHES ON LAWNS Sir.— In the past few weeks I have noticed three large patches of deatl grass on my lawn. In a few places the dry earth roots have been forced up and turned over slightly. I scraped a patch with the spade and then found I could work my fingers under the turf and strip it. Turning it upside down one patch showed no fewer than 16 small white and brownish grubs curied round The grub appeared to have about six legs in front portion of body, with two pincers at its head. I imagine this grub to be the cause of dead grass on lawn, and would deem it a favour if you could kindly inform me the name (if posible) of grub, also the means of eradicating the pest. I have heard of five or six lawns in the district showing similar kinds of decay, and should you think this question worthy of printing I am sure quite a number of readers in this locality would be greatly obliged. Our gardening expert informs us that these are bronze beetles. They fiv about ln summertime in swarms, and when one swarm meet another, mating takes place. The mating may take place on a lawn or over a bed of flowers. Eggs laid on any convenient surface. The mature and out come the grubs \Vhen the grubs mature thev become bronze beet.es and fly away. Until .that event takes place they feed on whatever form of vegetable life they have .Settled rid a lawn, of thel2st tete bichloride of mercury and dilute it in water one and a-half ounces to "six gallons. Spread this by means of a watering-can; about a gallon to the .square yard. This fluid sinks in, draw? grUb^to the top and ultimately kml them. The mercury is not injurious to any vegetation.— Ed., The Sun. to OUR CANAL SYSTEM Sir,— During the pre-war years the canal question was kept alive and advocated by leading public men. Conferences were frequently held and so much pub? t!'eL ty r VaS glvei ? to the great possibilie® of . a canal system and so much support was received at that time Thar the matter was rapidly coming close to a successful issue. —S" 4 wh ere are all those live and energetic men who with their enthusiasm (Continued m next column)

and determination kept this question continually before the public and Government. At that time the Oaehunga Chamber of Commerce, the Waiuku and Hamilton Chambers were very active in the matter, but now for a very long period we have heard nothing from them. Surely they have not become retrogressive or moribund. The canal system then advocated wa.< the connecting of the Waikato with the Manukau Harbour—the Manukau with the Waitemata —and the Waitemata with Kaipara, all comparatively easy schemes with natural waterways to assist. This would open up hundreds of miles of inland waterways, and increase the importance of Auckland as a great shipping centre 'by 100 per cent. The harbour bridge scheme is now approaching a reasonable prospect of success, mainly because the matter has been handled by capable and efficient enthusiasts. Why, therefore, can we not resuscitate the former canal advocates and bring this great national scheme to the front again. To carry out these works thousand of men would be employed for sever# years, and the unemployed problem practically settled. PROGRESS. A MOTHER’S COMPLAINT Sir, I wonder if something could be done to assist us women who have to taka our children to the city. Recently I boarded a bps at Grafton Bridge and took with me a collapsible pushchair. I was informed by both the driver and an inspector that pushchairs are not allowed on buses. Trams carry them, so why not the buses? Why are we women who are billing to have children persecuted right and left? The cry is continually going up, ‘ Keep the cradles full,” but what encouragement do we get? Hoping that more will be said on this subject. MOTHER —AND PROUD OF IT. NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS “Supporter.” —Have noted your remarks. —Ed., The Sun. “Dlorah.”—Your letter contains statements that would be hard to prove Ed., The Sun. “B.”—Many people argue, you know that art cannot be limited in any way by questions of any case, your letter is worded ratner too strongly.—Ed., The Sun.