Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 813, 6 November 1929, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

DEFINITION OF “TEMPERANCE” Sir, — In Tuesday’s Sun you publish an account of a protest directed against the new brewery by the W.C.T.U. Surely it is time this well-meaning band changed its name from “Temperance Union” to ‘‘Prohibition Union.” “Temperance” means moderate indulgence, not total abstinence. In view of Tuesday’s demonstration, “Temperance Union” is undoubtedly a misnomer. TRUE TEMPERANCE. “PETROL FOR CLEANING” Sir.— “He appropriated just Is worth of benzine to clean his clothes.” How many New Zealanders read the account of this man who was so charged before the court? What did they think of those who caused his arrest? This man was apparently a labourer with a wife and two children to keep, and if I know anything about living conditions here at the present time, about the only way to get bis suit cleaned would be to do it himself. What harm would be done to a large firm by the loss of so small an amount? Someone will say: “Oh, but he who would steal a pin would steal a greater thing.” Let me ask, then, “Is there one of us who would dare to say he has not done worse things than this man?” “Man’s inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn.” A SORROWFUL NEW ZEALANDER. SLIPPERY STREETS Sir,— It is time some one drew the attention of the City Fathers to the dangerous state of a small portion of Hobson Street in wet weather. The northern side of the street just above Victoria Street intersection has been laid down in bitumen for a short distance, and after heavy rain a slippery surface is formed on which rubber tyres have absolutely no grip. The other day coming down the street at a moderate pace on my motor-cycle, I saw a motor-car in front skid completely round and finish up within a few feet of it tramway centre-pole. A moment later the machine slid from under me as I entered the dangeroLis area. Fortunately the damage was slight, but a serious accident might easily have occurred. T'.'zz -linger of this type of

road surfacing has long been recognised in America, where experts have condemned bitumen raading in no uncertain terms. Is it carelessness on the part of council members, or do they consider the motorist and his little brother, the motor-cyclist, so far beyond the pale as to deserve no consideration? EXHAUST. BRITISH AND CHINESE Sir, — Owing doubtless to my not having expressed myself clearly, your able reporter has inadvertently misrepresented me in the last paragraph of his interview with me. I wrote to Mr. Arthur Henderson from China. The Chinese demand equality with foreign races, which in principle the Press has conceded. The Chinese, however, have such crude ideas of justice that the Powers refuse to place their nationals, for the present, under Chinese jurisdiction. In order to prevent disputes as to the exclusion of Chinese from our white countries, I suggested we apply the principle of equality, and that for every British citizen admitted to China one Chinese should be admitted to some part of our Empire. The Malay States alone can absorb every Chinese so admitted to the Empire, and the rest of our Empire can be kept clear of them. EDWARD S. LITTLE. HIGHER TRAM FARES Sir, — While the subject is warm, 1 would like to make a suggestion or two which might assist the Transport Board in its efforts to make ends meet. (1) Try to remove some of the overhead expenses, commencing at the top of the tree. Ho away with inspectors and introduce the bell punch, which the London Omnibus Company uses very successfully. Should a flat rate be introduced an automatic slot turnstile would easily check the ins and outs. (2) Ho away with all concessions and charge everyone, children included one penny a section at all times If the principal users of the trams evade full payment, how can the system pay? If people cannot afford to ride, let them walk one section and ride the next, and by doing so improve their general health. This applies especially to children going to school.

As a boy I never once rode to At present I enjoy a 4d rl " c nt it, but like many others do nut

I only take what is going. noted. If the penny section is again a many people when in the cit> . use the trams to get up ai,<l

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