Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1038, 31 July 1930, Page 10

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

TRAFFIC IN • QUEEN STREET Sir. — I have noted the condition of the motor-traffic in Queen Street today—an off-day—and I think it is simply shameful the way cars and trollies are allowed to dash round corners in the principal streets of this city and across streets like racehorses. Those who control this traffic should put the brake on. The protection of the lives of citizens is the tirst duty of the City Fathers. Five miles an hour should be the speed round corners and the same at crossings. I have stated this often before. The City Fathers are elected to their present position by the general public on the understanding that they will do the best for all, and not consider the few O. K. GOJTDOX. July 29, 1930. CHILD WELFARE Sir. — How can the Minister of Education be satisfied even if he has inquired into the* administration of this Import ant public service? The very secr‘'e> of the courts reduces any inquiry to a one-sided farce. Does this system -u boarding out increase juvenile crime? Has it checked juvenile crime to make adult crime? What percentage >t children are cured .nd returned to the parents to become useful adult citi zens? How many children are nevei returned to their parents, because this system of boarding out is no deterrent to crime? How can it be. when the very system breeds a desire in the oh d to look for a change of parents, home surroundings, etc.? Does the cost of administration, and wrecked homos warrant the continuance of this expensive experiment? And then, agair is the Government competition in the boy and girl labour market keeping others from taking up work on farms.

etc., where these State children are boarded out as cheap labour, even to the extent of the employer being paid to employ these children ? What a chance Mr. Forbes missed to economise in tils department. Is is not time a public inouiry was made into this Act? IN THE FIELD THE ZOO Sir, — Auckland’s municipal zoo is in mourning. Why is it that we have such a large mortality among the animals? I am a fairly constant visitor to our zoological park, and have often wondered why some of the animals are not provided with surroundings more in keeping with their natural habits. For instance, why not supply the pond which the sea lions (not land lions) inhabit with salt water? There is a tidal creek within a few hundred feet. A brief study of zoology teacher me that sea lions have a very short life in fresh water. It has the effect of shrivelling up their lungs, and r he lungs become in a short time as hard as leather. Result: More sea lions to be bought A great number of monkeys has succumbed in the zoo during the past three years: 90 per cent, of the mor tality is due to the want of some arti ficial heat in the freezing chamber known as the monkey pit. I commend the parks committee of the council *o make a little closer study of zoology KINDLINESS FOLLOW ATKINSON! Sir. — If Mr. Forbes had been well act vised, instead of raising taxation in the way he has cone, he would ha\ * followed the lead of Atkinson in a similar crisis and reduced his own sal-

ary. also that of the members of Pa# liament. and Ministers, and effected slight reduction on all the salaries o* Government einplo3*ees—from 5 to f per cent —which would not hurt thei very much considering the high sal" aries and wages being paid Then tr rest of the taxpayers would not mill* mur at any further taxation requirw to place New Zealand again in a perous condition. But no alteratio will take place until we reduce t. cost of production verv largely ar. get a good deal of the waste * an • settled —not by buying sheep runs big prices and ptitting a hand •** settlers on high-priced land.