BAY OF PLENTY BEACON Published Tuesdays and Fridays. TUESDAY, MAY 4, 1948 APPEAL FOR CHILDREN: “BOOK OF LIFE” IDEA STRONGLY CRITICISED

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 12, Issue 43, 4 May 1948, Page 4

BAY OF PLENTY BEACON Published Tuesdays and Fridays. TUESDAY, MAY 4, 1948 APPEAL FOR CHILDREN: “BOOK OF LIFE” IDEA STRONGLY CRITICISED

Though there seems to be considerable keenness to contribute to the United Nations’ Appeal for Children, the idea of having their names recorded in the “Book of Life” does not appeal to. a number of local citizens, whose opinions are summed up in an open letter from Mr E. R. Marryatt to the chairman of the New Zealand executive for the appeal, in which it is pointed out that some consider the idea not only useless but downright offensive, and feel that the mohey it would cost to compile such a record would' be better expended on the welfare of the needy children for whose benefit the appeal is being conducted. Here follows the full text of Mr Marryatt’s letter:— “Your literature has been received and used to the best advantage and there is no doubt that the appeal will be successful. “On'behalf-of all those with whom I have discussed the matter I wish to make the strongest possible protest at your committee’s misguided determination to publish this socalled and mis-called “Book of Life.” The whole idea offends in every possible way and we will have none of it. It fails, anyway, as we will not allow our names to be forwarded and used in it; therefore it will not be what it purports to be, a record of all donors.

“We urge your committee with, all the force at our command to abandon the idea promptly and entirely and as the Government is apparently willing to use monies in this futile and disgusting way, let it use those monies instead as a further contribution to the appeal fund and SAVE A CHILD or two.”