Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 838, 5 December 1929, Page 8

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

MR. PARRY AND THE BONUS Sir, In reference to the letter appearing in your issue of December 2, regarding bonus for members of Parliament, I wish to state that it was not written by me, nor am I responsible for it in any way. I am a supporter of the Labour Party, and believe that members earn all they receive as salary, as they work almost all the time during the recess. Thanking you in anticipation. JOHN NICHOLSON. 57 Howe Street, Newton. BETTING AND BOOKMAKING Sir, — In several places in New Zealand recently heavy fines have been imposed upon bookmakers in a small way, and in a case reported this week a police officer said he was out to suppress bookmaking at all cost. Why is it that New Zealand keeps up this farce of regulating gambling, when in reality the authorities realise mo.re than anyone else the extent to which it has outgrown their control? Why is it that the Government does not face the fact that the people here will indulge in moderate gambling, whether it is with “the books” or on the totalisator, and so legalise it, that the State will collect thousands of pounds annually which it is now losing? I believe that a State sweepstake would go far toward solving the gambling problem in this country, because it would so regulate it that there would be little abuse, and no great call to bet with the bookmakers. The profits then would bo distributed for the use of the people and the development of enterprise. MODERATE. • “RUM SWEETS” Sir.—It has been said that a sense o£ humour is one o£ the finest virtues a man can possess, and, though the “Look Out Man” will doubtless do the obvious thing and ignore “Clean Wit's" tirade, he may rest assured that he does not lack supporters. The article in Question I considered one of his neatest efforts, vastly humorous and containing nothing to which exception could be taken. As for the offending sweetmeats, they were practically unknown till this

controversy gave them such a "boost.” I feel now that 1 must purchase some so as to be able to pass opinion on them, and having suffered from several colds last winter, I consider myself rather a connoisseur of rum. I have no doubt that “Clean Wit” will have the last word in this matter, as I have not entered into this discussion in an antagonistic spirit; but in support of “L.0.M.” and his column of very fine humour. NITWIT. Parnell. OUR NEW GOVERNOR-GENERAL Sir. — I was greatly impressed by an article in last evening's Sun containing a summary of the views of Lord Bledisloe, our new Governor-General, upon the agricultural industries of the Old Country. It is true that he desires that the Home producer should get the bes.t from his produce, and suggests that the markets have been an easy field for the overseas producers: but in his summary there are many elements ■which give valued lessons to Mew Zealand. Co-operation alone among the vafious factors of production and distribution will give the Dominion the best return for its agricultural industries. Competition is becoming keener the world over, and New Zealand will have to fight among the other countries for a place in the distributive sun. The new Governor-General has struck the right note when he suggests the co-operation principle as applied to land. It might appear to some of our short-sighted people -as being Socialistic. What if it is? ft would give the Government a controlling interest in the development of land, speculation would be reduced tij a minimum, and the incentive to develop would be given those farmers who desired to retain the freehold of their holdings. I think that New Zealand, besides having a hard-thinking GovernorGeneral. is going to receive some thoughtful suggestions—and some home truths—about its land development within the next few months GO RIGHT AHEAD. SPIRITUALISM Sir, — “Agnostic” requests criticism of his letter. I. as an agnostic for many years, inferentially conclude that “Agnostic” requires information more than criticism. Emulating the brevity of Tacitus, I say that spiritualism

-- is a. science, a philosophy, and a religion. Its phenomena, from materialisation of spirit forms to levitation, clairvoyance, psychometry, etc., are its advertisements to attract the attention of materialistic minds. As phenomena depend for their production upon conditions carried out wi.n exactitude, phenomena therefore constitute spiritualism’s scientific aspectIts philosophy teaches and its mediums demonstrate that there is no death, that the so-called dead are still alive, and multitudes of them are constant y making- their presence known whea. where, and to whomever they can. Our philosophy says that dissolution of the physical body does not alter in the slightest the mental characteristics of those eternal souls wL* have “shuffled off this mortal coil Spiritualism also teaches individual responsibility, and that everyone mo* evolve into higher and happier s:at<* ultimately. Space doers not pc run l the explanation of spiritualism’s thee* l°£ry, concepts of Deity, nor its cosmogony. There is no sudden, ' .’ifa - lible wisdom,” ’given unto the mult * tude of ignorant non-thinkers witj pass out of mortal life at the rate *' over 60.000 every 24 hours. Marta* who are deemed capable of bearltif the brilliant light of truth will Ha I'® 1 '® celestial torch-bearers sent unto th«u u H. M. BOUCHER.