WHAT CORRESPONDENTS SAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18442, 18 April 1928, Page 9

WHAT CORRESPONDENTS SAY.

ART GALLERY SITE. To the Editor. Sir,—The nearer we get to some people the smaller they seem. In declining the request for the lawn site and relegating the art gallery to the rear of the museum the Domains Board is certainly “ near."—l am, etc., ART. WHAT A SHAKE-UP DOES. To the Editor. Sir, —It might interest the authorities to know, since the complaints re the telephone system have been published, that I and others have noticed a very marked improvement in the service, and we all hope it will continue until the automatic is installed in completeness. One must surmise from the above that it was not altogether the fault of the works, but had a deal to do with the workers.—l am, etc., SUBSCRIBER. DRIVING LADIES TOO HARD IN TENNIS. To the Editor. Sir,—l remember reading in your paper, a few weeks ago, an article criticising the New Zealand Lawn Tennis Association for speeding up the New Zealand championships at Christmas time to the disadvantage of the players, and I feel that the Canterbury Lawn Tennis Association has been rather hard on certain lady players in the hard court handicap events held recently. Mrs Spooner, who won the singles, had to play on Saturday and Monday afternoons Miss Ward, Mrs Miles, Miss Wilson and Miss Nichols, while Miss Nichols, the other finalist, played only the final, having had two wins by default on Saturday. In the doubles Misses Nichols and Macdonald played the semi-final on Saturday—the only game played by either on that afternoon—while Mrs Spooner and Miss Wilson played one game on Saturday, and on the Monday, after playing the semi-final and final of the singles, had to play the semifinal of the doubles and then go straight on to play the final of the doubles against practically fresh players, Miss Nichols having played the final of the singles only, while Miss Macdonald had had no games at all.

Apart from the unfairness to the losers, there can be very little satisfaction for the winners when they know that one of their opponents had not been off the asphalt for more than fifteen minutes in three and a half hours. Why some of these rounds could not have been played on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday last week is hard to understand, and, in any case, why penalise the ladies when the men’s events are being played on Saturday only, and players whom this does not suit ar# being scratched?—Yours, etc., SPECTATOR: COALITION GOVERNMENT. To the Editor. Sir, —There is much to commend in the suggestion put forward by several of your correspondents that the Liberal and Labour Parties should unite in an endeavour to defeat the Reform Party at the forthcoming elections. Dissatisfaction with the present Government is country-wide, and a change seems highly desirable. A Coalition Government would do much to revive interest in the Liberal Party, or whatever it is now called, and would also be a glorious opportunity for Labour to show the people of New Zealand how they will “ get things done." We would have the Liberal candidates there to check any “ Red ” tendencies on the part of Labour. It is contended by many that the Bible in Schools and Prohibition issues will determine the personnel of the next Government. If such is the case it will be a sorry day for New Zealand. These are mere side issues, and should not influence a voter when considering the qualifications of candidates. It is not desirable that religion should enter into politics. Voters must look to other and more important qualifications in a candidate than the question whether he is a supporter of the Bible in Schools and Prohibition movements, etc. There is no doubt that the present Government has much to answer for at the next election, such as the unemployment problem, interference in private enterprises, etc., etc. Reform candidates will need an oily tongue and a clear head to give some justification for the actions of the Reform Party during their term of office. If the Labour and Liberal parties will shed differences and unite to oust the Reform Party they will be showing the people that it is really their interests which they have at heart—but I am sorely afraid.—l am, etc., G. R.B.