What Our Readers Are Thinking

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 14, Issue 13, 18 July 1949, Page 4

What Our Readers Are Thinking

Though their views on all subjects are freely published here because we believe it our duty to uphold the public’s right to freedom of opinion, our correspondents’ opinions are not necessarily shared by this news, aper. RECOGNITION OF SERVICE Sir, —The recent retirement of Mr Maxwell a prominent officer of the local Post Office staff for the past 30 years has inspired businessmen to acknowledge his excellent service to the community. Mr Maxwell’s constant desire during his long service to be of the utmost help to the public has been greatly appreciated. Members of the Chamber of Commerce are calling on the business houses with a subscription list and a presentation will later be made* If any local residents outside the business area would like to contribute towards the presentation will they please contact the writer. Thanking you Mr Editor for your assistance in this matter. Yours etc., REX T. MORPETH, President, Whakatane Chamber of Commerce. PRAISE FOR WHAKATANE GOLF LINKS Sir, —I shall be grateful if you will kindly afford me space in your, columns to express my appreciation of the condition of the Whakatane golf course. I had the pleasure of playing a round during last week which was the first occasion for some ten years and was astounded at the development and improvement which has taken place and the really excellent course which is now available to golfers. Both the fairways and greens are in really good condition and the potter, though perhaps on a considerably smaller scale, compare very favourably in the texture of their covering with some of the really good courses in England and Scotland.

The whole course I consider reflects the greatest credit on the committee and staff and also those who went before, and perhaps as one of the latter and one who took an active part in the acquisition and early development of the course. I may be permitted to express a word of criticism to the effect that some more well placed bunkers and'retire first occasion for some *n providing more undulation and less of the cup shape would make the Whakatane course very hard to beat in New Zealand.

With every good wish to the committee and the club for their future welfare.

Yours etc., J. G. CLIFF-McCULLOCH, Rotorha,

THIS REMARKABLE BOOK Sir, —The Bible statistics you recently published will help and interest many. Some recent reading provides additional items. The Bible still remains easily the best selling book in the English language and in June 1948 had been published in no less than 1,090 languages. The . New Testament contains more than 250 direct quotations from the Old Testament. Thus the Old is the foundation of the New Testament. On this point Professor Milligan says: “The Book of Revelation is a perfect mosaic of passages from the Old Testament. In the New Testament Jesus referred to the writings of Moses, the prophets, and the Psalms (the Old Testament) as “the Scriptures”, and Paul said: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” (2 Tim. 3:16).- So the Old Testament is inspired equally with the New.

One writer points out, “Exciting the wonder of many, and the interest of others, is the fact that a definite mathematical basis underlies the Bible’s construction. This mathematical basis consists of a harmoniously interwoven pattern of numbers of which the most prominent is the number seven.” He demonstrates how remarkably and accurately this works out throughout all the sixty-six books from Genesis to Revelation. Remembering that the Bible was written (mostly in Hebrew and Greek) over a period of nearly 1,600 years, by 40 men ranging fr6m shepherds and fishermen to prime ministers and kings, in all kinds of circumstahces from prison cells to kingly palaces, and its being built on an elaborate mathematical design of numbers is all the more inexplicable, until we recognise the only possible answer: the fact that it was wholly inspired by one Person. Yours etc., INTERESTED.

SLUMP CONTROL

Sir, —While we have a man-made slump looming ahead of ' us, we should realise that in the real world of facts the battle is already** won. Plenty can be produced; andWt the practical result demanded. f' There are always experts available, if and when definitely directed by Government. Ti e appropriate expert would soon prqduce a workable method for any desired, effect, or resign to those who could. But we must ‘demand the right results first and refuse to be deluded by a phrase! , What we want is the full use of the plenty we can produce, which will give individual security and freedom. The force of active and united public opinion is sufficient to compel any Government to see that suitable means are invented to bring the desired results. The pie ' .are more powerful than any Government. There is only one force which can pull the State harder than international finance does! That is the people themselves. Even if 10 per ' cent of us pulled hard in the right direction we would see such, results as would change the lives of all of"C4 us for the better. nBy what fallacious and subtle reasoning have we been persuaded to accept poverty amidst plenty when there is a way out. Consider the sham of party politics, in this regard. Once in every few years we vote for results which are wanted only by those who control and supply the main bulk of party funds—namely,. more control ■ for interna- , tional finance—which means less security, less liberty, and less prosperity for the individual. There is no let up in party politics! Debt and more debt. Yours etc., W. BRADSHAW.