Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 671, 24 May 1929, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

PROTECTION OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN Sir, —- The S.P.W.C. has been publicly challenged to “do something” in regard to certain cases now in review. I have been requested by the Executive Board to make the following statement: The board has publicly expresesd its strong disapproval of the recent recommendations made by certain juries. A proportion of the cases that come before the office staff are cases of offences against children, and the staff is faithful to its trust in dealing with these, and will continue its efforts as long as means are available. The society, j however, could do more if it were better supported. When public feeling is aroused, as at present, citizens exclaim "What is the S.P.W.C. doing?” But when the aroused feeling dies down, and citizens are asked to become members of the society, the reply is usually to the following effect: • Auckland is a moral city. Women and children may safely be left to the care of their natural protectors. We do not see the need for your society, and decline to support it.” P. S. SMALLFIELD. Chairman, S.P.W.C. MR. LUNDON, TO MR. ASHLEY Sir,— In deliberately disregarding, at the first meeting of the newly-elected City Council, his advertised pre-re-election pledge to remove (as the electors so willed), Mr. J. A. C. Allum from his membership of the Transport Board, and to replace him with some dulyelected representative of the people, Cr. Ashley himself discredited his own enunciated principle. I have refrained from heaping coals of fire upon his head. His present preposterous pose of uncensored and haughty indifference to vox populi shows an ignorance of his plain duty to the electors. Against my formula, which excludes any negation of pledge-performance and definitely predicates faithful observance of my public duty, not only to the 8,000 “friends” who on May Day voted for me. but also to those electors who placed Mr. G. G. Ashley on the scroll of fame, Mr. Ashley has inscribed the word Yerboten. Anyone whose conception of the canons of good taste permits him publicly to employ in a canine sense such a terminological inexactitude as ‘bark” to the context of an adversary's kindly-conceived criticism, cm-

bosoms a. disqualification from an acceptable participation in municipal j dialectics. Mr. Ashley says he is “much 100 busy a man” to be “agitated” by Mr. Lundon. It is my pious hope that while he is promulgating his apologia without agitation, evasion, equivocation or mental reservation of any kind, at the special meeting of council convened for Tuesday next, 28th inst., at 7 p.m., to discuss a motion forthwith to remove from the Transport Board the City’s “Big Six,” he may not then be “much too busy” a councillor to read the writing on the wall, and to digest inwardly the potency of public opinion. J. R. LUNDON. CLERKS AND SIGNALMEN Sir. — There is grave dissatisfaction among the signalmen in the Auckland district at the present time. The j cause of the unrest is the staffing of ( the signal-boxes on Sundays with the I clerical staff. Now the point raised j is this: Who is entitled to the extra j •remuneration on Sundays—the men who work the boxes night and day during the week, or the clerical staff who are not trained for this work, which will be recognised as calling for special training and temperament? The men feel their position keenly, and very naturally resent the remarks made by ; the general manager, as reported in the “Railway Review” to the effect that he would not stand for signalmen to sell tickets on Sundays, as they were not trained for clerical work! But the men point out that he stands for the employment of untrained clerical members in the signal-boxes on Sundays, when the safety of the travelling public is in jeopardy. What of the Railway Department’s regulation— \ “The safety of the travelling public j shall be the first consideration of every railway servant”? Now, sir, this subject is beginning to create a serious position in the service, and a suspicion is beginning to take hold that the second division is getting overshadowed by the first division. Trusting that you will be able to find space for the above few lines. SAFETY FIRST. "" i,en shown the above lette - a railway official explained that the .-lyrical men are trained and examined by a. signal instructor before they are allowed to work the signals. Members of the clerical staff take over the signal-boxes on Sundays on (Continued in next column.)

the score of economy. He stated thav it would be no use bringing two men on every Sunday when one man can do Hi, work.-—Editor, The Sun. OH, DEM BELLS*” Sir, — What a lucky man your correspo®aent “Highbrow Hobo” is. He at least has his torture served in a musical fashion, whereas in my case I have no variation in melody, but simply that annoying cow-bell tinkle from dawn till dark. On weekdays, the first ringing starts at 7 a.m., and although it never attracts a congregation of more than half a dozen, it rings regularly at this hour. But, oh! what a feast we have on Sundays. The first clanging takes place at 7 a.m. Then to make sure that nobody lias managed to sleep on, we have another clang at 8 a.m , then repeat orders at 10.30 and 11 a.m. Afternoon is “silent day.” Doubtless the ringer needs a rest, but after his nap he finishes his work with two tinklings at 6.30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Now I am not against the 6.30 p.m. and 7 p.m. sessions, but I think it is time to put a stop to the privilege if allowing a church to make itself a. public nuisance by preventing people like myself, who. after working a night shift, desire to “sleep in” in the mornings. So, sir, until legislation is brought in to this effect, perhaps you could arrange for “Highbrow Hobo” and myself to change hemes so that he could have a change of tune, and let me be rocked to sleep by the melodies of which he has grown tired. COW BELL SALVATION ARMY APPEAL Sir.— May we be allowed the valuable opportunity of voicing through the pages of your widely-read paper the needs of the poor of Auckland? Winter is fast approaching, aad Major Gordon finds herself greatly in need for food, clothing, bedding, and also firing to meet the demands of the poorest of the poor. Friends will be interested to learr that during five months last winter the Salvation Army, by the generous assistance of friends, was instrumental in helping over 1,000 people. Eight hundred bags of coal and wood were distributed, 500 parcels of cloth?*, besides a considerable number of parcels of groceries and meat. Many distressing cases are coming to our notice. Unemployment and sickness make the position acute. Here is a typical case: Only last week the major was called to visit a family which was absolutely destitute. The father was out of work, the mother had just been confined, and three children were sick. The case was one of dire need. For 19 years Major Gordon has laboured devotedly in this city in the interests of the poor, and is fully qualified to deal with every case brought to her notice. We make this appeal with great confidence that the friends of Auckland and district will respond. Gifts of money, clothing or food supplies will be gratefully acknowledge! and may be sent to Major Gordon Samaritan Office, Wellesley Street, or care Brig-adier Cottrill, P.O. box 77*. Auckland. WALTER COTTRILL, Brigadier.