WHAT CORRESPONDENTS SAY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18465, 17 May 1928, Page 9

WHAT CORRESPONDENTS SAY.

COMEDIANS AND CRITICS.

To the Editor. Sir,—“ One of the Boys,” I notice, observes in last evening’s issue of the “ Star ” that “ The students’ procession gives point to the remark that there are 7569 comedians in the world, but only three Of them, have enough wit not to be nasty.” It may be that purely witty critics are equally scarce. —I am, etc., ANOTHER CRITIC.

The author of the offending paragraph writes as follows:- —If the critics arc soured, it is because they hear so much from the other 7566 comedians. When there are 7566 nasty comedians, a critic is tempted to speak to them in their own language. If criticism weren’t nasty sometimes, only three of the 7569 comedians would understand them. There is a difference between a critic being nasty to 7566 nasty comedians who deserve it and 7566 comedians inflicting nastiness on a public which has done nothing to them.

STREET NAME SIGNi. NEED RE-PAINTING.

To the Editor. Sir,—With correspondence in the papers on the subject of changing street names, I think it is opportune to mention the disgracefully illegible state of many of the street, name signs in Christchurch. While it is hard to decipher the names in the day-time, at night it is almost impossible. This must be a considerable annoyance to people in a strange district who are put to the trouble of worrying strangers to find their whereabouts. Perhaps the City Council could

themselves sufficiently to spend a little money on repainting the signs, instead of worrying about increasing the wages of their employees.—l am, etc.. RATEPAYER.

CHRISTCHURCH NORTH.

To the Editor. Sir, —It is understood that Dr 1 hacker will be the Liberal candidate at the forthcoming election; and there is no doubt he has a prior claim. He carried the Liberal flag last time, and there is no doubt had he been on the spot, instead of being on the high seas returning from a trip abroad, the figures would have been different. But anyway, Christchurch North has always been a Liberal stronghold, and Dp Thacker is one of our old stalwarts.

At no time was New Zealand so ripe for a change to Liberalism as the present time, and I am certain the people of Christchurch North will be very fortunate if they can secure the services of such a cultured and experienced gentleman as the doctor. He is a native of Canterbury and I- have no doubt New Zealand is proud of her distinguished son. The opportunities he had in travelling in most countries of th£ world will make his knowledge vgry valuable in the National Parliament of his native land. Dr Thacker knows no class distinction ; the humblest man or woman can approach him, and can always get a kind and attentive hearing. So I think it is just as well for it to be known that he will be the man, as it is no use having a number of candidates and splitting of voting, and it is not wise to only begin to sharpen your swords when you hear the din of the battle.—l am, etc., W.J.G. St Albans.