PLAYS AND MORALS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 894, 13 August 1910, Page 10

PLAYS AND MORALS.

pfIi)EAS ABOUT "THE;BIRL FROM RECTOR'S" I';-•'■- ■--.■'' ' '.■ , : - ~"' ■ ■ ' |f 'rk BUDGET; OF. LETTERS.;- !''■':■ '.'•■'• : ■'■' ' ■ "'. ' PUBLIC mm® ON CHURCH AND STAGE.

! , ; .The following, interesting budget of j- Jotters, from men and ..women- belonging !' : '".'to' various- classes of society dealing :■ '•; with'"The Girl from Rector's" from I:. .V'all points, of view will be r<?ad with in— <■' iterest. The correspondence throws nil I; '.'instructive light. on' : the present state f;-;of/public opinion, on tho question of : ' .plays and morals, and the,, attitude. of •■'the. Church to-the stage: -•";'•- ','' '';.:':> : :A MR, WARD'S LAST WORD, >.;,;, ■■'■' [To the Editor.] ''"';. ..Sir,—To;the gentlemen,--the"--Revs.- Dr. Gibb and J. J. North, Who have-given nie.'much intellectual entertainment dur- : ■'.ing,my stay in Wellington I,claim, the light, to'be placed>on all fours with them, of having a lust word—perhaps? ?-';• The quulifii.'atio_n I deem necessary be-(.-•eause of certain mis-statements which I have been made in the interesting con-f'.-.trp'versy on , which the-sun is now set-. ;■'■ -ting. They, by a curious coincidence, I'.iny.two friends of-the. cloth, published f. -.theiT last word on the. day-of the lastperformance of "The Girl from Beetoi'a." I thank them! They refer :to ;'me'as tho .thrice slniu... I would have .them know individually and as a trucuV. lent duo that I am particularly alive, i ■'asl they -will see if ■they follow the S -.wagon to-morrow morning, attend;' the l> in the afternoon, - or the perj', fbrmance at night. { As'for the letter ' .which details', niy/ treble execution,- it Ivvjfas' the. weakest statement that has yet j- emanated from my ; disgruntled critics. [... Evidently, they appear to; better . adI .vantage in a white heat than as. burntr. ,«ut: embers. ' They speak of banalities. L.lShadesuf-Belial; Sodom, and Gomorrah, j Who has. been talking: banalities ? I > heart of grace in claiming that my f -language ,was decent and. fair English, [■ whilst theirs reeked of the days ;of h. Cromwell, when all mnnner of harsh-and h --.iornel' actions , were performed in the r name of God by- zealous fanatics mad•dened by blood arid power.- ' In any case, who'commenced the conf:.?ttfoversy? ivNot'll'.'-Bnt I am,not the K.-'type to adliere to the prevailing fashion,, /'■anil' take what these-men- hand .out, as -■' .df •- it were fine food. I beg leave to ,• jpojnt out-that the "Girl from Rector's," j -which had been so'foolishly condemned '.'fcefore we' arrived here, has been'wit"aiessed by crowded audiences of the. host '--type of -your, playgoers. Nearly 12,000 •■•'■■• -people, have paid for admission in Wel- ':;". liifgton in nine nights. : These included r' ; ■■ .'critics trained, to judge of tho .qualities .'■and character of plays and acting, and. f ' .they, with the public, have been unaniF:' mous ■ in. upholding .the harmlessness'; of p.;the'.farce) whereas tlioso who ; have con- -, ';.deinned and cursed it by, bell, book; 'and '"'■ candle: are - those who have never seen ■ - .the play. I : ask on■; intelligent . public ■ if I ahd'my play should be. so judged, .slt'is tantamount to a jury-giving, a ver- '.':■- diet 1 in, a"i case ■:-without : ' hearing , a ': tittle ofv evidence'..-. ''■. \Jhy; : at-; these I r meetings of'the .clergy'whichilice so,fully ■:' imported; in the papers,.- it was'stated that ~:' riot" one of them had seen., thoiplay. Are ■', : they-.qualified to.express a just opinion? /■I would, have admii;ed-.auy. of ,'them;-.and ; ■woTild freelyjh'ave" reserved.scats;fon them'; ;".-• (gfatis)l-if they Jiaj! hon- ! i'yistly: and'openly with the' frank desire to I■';.: see ;tiic. ..farco. in .the interests of those, t-'-,. I whbso''spiritual ;i care-'is their'Vork.--'"'-;''*-' Si: ;. 'These.:ministers forget;that tho; chief- |; (.matter- , for discussion .'was '■, this ''.'great i,v': humanitarian movenient to-help 'the 'sick ?. -children. Some of the pastoi-s approached f.-'-Vjthe. subject at llir. outset of the meeting ;. jin-a gesitle, kiudly Christian spirit,.and j" iall-wae.moving along sweetly wheu the }"• ; Ecv. Dr; Gibb rose, and forgetting for the t.:!-i-nonce the gracious.teachings of the Divine '; Master,. scured and hardened the hearts \'. ,of thosu present against, the scheme with T". his bitter,invective.-- -Tho, better, natures

:' present, must have been inexpressibly i•>■;.; shocked at the -Kev; Dr. Gibb, ;but;upder j;: the influence,.of "this dominating,; dpmi- }: ' neering'Forsonality, anil not realising that f.-r'iWs.-action" was dictated by. a desire , to ;.';•.• fling off'at mo in connection with the ! movement lam interesting myself in,' i --they-weakly iilloivkl themselves to be f Tiddettovcr roughshod by this great leader : \ '.of .thought:..-.;.■ . -.v ■•- .-■■-. "'>■'■. ['. /I also noticed that there were; i'.■■'.' interesting phrases and moments at this !. Lγ meeting; For instance, forgetting the suf-' ; fering children altogether, ho.said in..,his [■^; pride,' arrogance, and egotism" that thore p .was a man in this , whose play I have j 'criticised. I should have loved to : hear ; ;■: .• this "I", of exaggerated ego. '.It. was.-a {■' glum afternoon, v Tho rain fell dismally, (■ ....".-persistently, - hopelessly outside, andsunF. .' shine- there was not.. The wintry, bitterS .ness of tho day was iu -tho man's*, heart,' ■ whereas., the;. meteorological- conditions £'■:. Bhduld'.'havß- caused : it to warm" , io the' j' . little ones bereft.of those comforts.-whic'h" »•.": are so; necessary to those.of tender.years i- ".at this time. I also read with sonio ;as-v r•; 'tonishtnent of ono. minister saying with i" wholesome,heartiness "It's a lie!" Old '■'": 'Adam again—he's there nil : tho time, wheI . ther its broadcloth or nlcleskin. And the i worthy Moderator had to insist on awithL "drawal, being a moderator—of language. i , ,:- Oh, fie! I'm glad to find that he sees'eye to i eye with me about tho language question. ['~'- I -.would like to. say here , that it is f. not too late for the-ministers who might \: have been labouring under mental- sug- -.. gestion : from 'St. John's- to assert- their ! ', own individuality, and to realise tho great f opportunity they are missing "in riot at j '::, once deciding to rehabilitate themselves !.■ by helping the Children's Hospital j,''' scheme. - Let, them read the writing'on ■';■ the wall—"Help the children"—and not |V tallow the campaign to cud without hav- [.;■ ing a fling.. Six months'later they will )•'■■• ask themselves why oii earth did they ; : . hold aloof. Son'io of them say: "We won't f.i have anything, to do with it, until Mr. j Ward goes!'. But I want to -tell those ! ; . gentlemen not to think that when'l leave f;'.'.-Wellington I "lose nil interest'in the I- 'hospital, and that with iny departure ! : -from/Wellington', it will be safe to come .in at'the fag end of the movement when I all the money is collected and the thing |.... fixed-up: x-will always remember this i hospital, and:that in a substantial way ', in the future. They must not take my j- .going hence as the cue for a moral re- ! traction. The eyes of tho citizens are \ oh them—let them remember it!. , . I'■ As for the rest, by Saturday afternoon ;-" .the fund will have been raised without V the aid of the churches of the'-Revs/Dr. (•■ Gibb and J. J. North, and the only pos- ; . Bible way I can sec for them to save their, j..; faces is by a personal donation—not an I ' offertory from the congregation. That is j the only, way they can recant with grace. f- . . One thing which gratifies me greatly f , is'that this controversy lias'taken place [- under the eye of Parliament, and that be- \ .fore and after the clean manner in which i. my company lias played this laughable ;.. trifle,' these' people—without ;seeing tho SV play or .producing any evidence to cons' , ' vln'ce— have stirred mi considerable feel- ?•'■ ing, and.if I bad sat dumb, nnd taken it 5 lying down, would probably have been at : ; Parliament's throat urging the appoint- ': . nient of. a censor—one of themselves, I :'■'.-. Buppose, who had never seen plays which '■■' are "abominations in the sight of God." :•'.' My Inst word is—"Help the Children's v - Hospital!"—l am, etc., ; ; . . : ,-.' HUGH J. WARD. : A WOMAN'S POINT OF VIEW. . ;:' , ','.. . ,' [To. the Editor.] , ..." Sir,—l hope you will allow me to say ;•'. . a word or two on -Mr. Wanl's letter in ';;. this morning's paper. Mr. .Ward's ideas v seem nlways to conic as a "bolt from tho V blue," perhaps that is the reason . they |i ■ overshoot the marl; so often, and sorao- < times recoil.ou hinisslt. If bis vonerajj tion for the "innate dignity" ''of the t ■ Christian Church is so great, why does j'. : he-insult it,by offerih.? hie slage plant f'■.μ-and' staff, to assist in" a theatrical , disf play? Dr. Gibb fills his church to over-

flowing every Sunday, so by the same process .of reasoning Mr. Ward adopts ns to his play, Dr. Gibb should he allowed credit as to his; preaching. ' .■ Mr. Ward also is- shocked at the "bitter, intemperate, ami unjust" attitude of these ministers,' and then immediately accuses them of. making use of his innocent self and tho equally innocent "Girl from Rector's" to "boost" their churches and their preaching. His-reverence for v the Christian Church does not stand in the way when he wishes to make a vile insinuation 'against any of the accredited leaders. ' - Then, as to plain-speaking, ho would have it banished from the pulpit. He would have ministers direct our gazo to the fleecy clouds; and the blue vault of Heaven, etc., etc., and never mind what is going on below-and around us. But because they have done that so niuch in the past is the reason we are in such a morally insanitary condition in the present. It is a hopeful sign when the clergy are beginning to look after tho sewers. I am sorry Mr. Ward can only speak in a 'whisper about the great social evil that according to him Dr. Gibh so improperly alluded to in his sermon on Sunday, for I can assure him the , women of this country will speak with no uncertain.' sound when the time comes to need speech. He says he "fortunaWj knows .little, about it.". The women in Wellington engaged in humanitarian work are not so fortunate; they, know a great deal, and Mr. AVard might be a wiser though sadder man if he knew as much as they do. He asks a question regarding the allusion in Dr. Gibb's sermon, "What is more calculated to plant the seed of morbid curiosity?" in pureminded young girls. I answer him, without hesitation, scenes from the "Girl from Rector's" and other "comically complicated" plays of a like ilk. If Mr. Ward cannot discriminate, between a solemn admonition from the pulpit and "comically complicated plays" as to their moral effect oth*rs can. Let me assure Mr. Ward that the pure-minded young girb are quite safe under Dr. Gibb'a care—let him take as good care of has own company and all. will, be well.—l am, etc.,' -~.-. ~ '

"AS FROM THE WORKERS AND . TOILERS." '~ ■'•'■. [To" tlie Editor.] i ■" • Sir,—Will you allow me through the medium of your paper tu heartily thank tho .Revs. Dr! Gibb and J: J. North for .the.Christian and manly way they have lifted up their voices in protection of our young people from the evils of such plays as "The Uirl From Reclor's?" I mention young people simply because that is the, time wnen most of us' are led or go astray.,. Even David, tho Man of God, tad to pray: "Remember not.the, sins of ■niy youth." And , who has not"had to do .the"same, clearly proving-our sinful nature's, need no spur to sin, such as this' playjand-its pictures now on, the hoardings, in "our- city.. -As I was in-town on Saturday .last 1 -tookj notice of these pictures because of'what-'I had read of them, .and-to my .mind they.,are--.very,,.-lowr;,nay, .disgusting.. ■-..,. , . '.' .. : v ; ■-■ ■'[' \' ' ''•,-"•*' '

;But,_ Mr,; Editor, where are.the.rest: , of our ministers of religion? Why have they .not spoken.or lent their, sympathy, to these 'tmrgentreme'ri ? I read in The JDoiilNlbit tho.names of several of our medical ,staft' who are .thoroughly acquainted with the requirements of; the'hospital regarding tho need of a children's, ward, stating it was .urgently .needed. This, 'Mr. Editor, gives, confidence' to those who are giving their money. -I'or they only need be convinced their money will be well spent and then they give .willingly and of a cheerful mind.' ; AVcIl, why do I mention these gentlemen and their action? Simplv because I think the ministers of roligion should do the same, viz., allow, their names to bb made public, to.strengthen 4h(i hands of Dr. Gibb and Rev. J. J. North; Now, I know they (Dr. Gibb and Rev. J. J. North) can stand alone and also.that the.rest of the reverend gentlemen' don't like publicity,, no more than I-or anyano else, but in this' particular case it is, in my mind, their .'duty and privilege. The two gentlemen jwho have come forward at least realise they are watchmen. Now, Mr, Editor, after.what 1 hnve said in this letter, I am in. duty bound tosigi my name. But I| want Dr. Gibb and Rev. J. r J.'North .to Accept this vote of',thenks as from the .workers.-and toilers of .this city/ and suburbs, especially of us'fathers arid.mothore who. have laboured, and are labouring and praying for. their.protection from,.evil; especially from *uch evil us. this play "The ■Girl From Rec'.ors. , '—I am, etc., ■ J.'"' : . • • W.' SKINNER, iHutt. , ..;, r ;■[ ' .-.".- .. : .y THE MOTIVE. THAT-COUNTS. 4-.''.,■'.:/■ MTo th ? Kditor.j... " Sir..—Most people;, after, reading The -Do3!lnion this morning would have, a feeling nl ■relief to l«un that Messrs.' Gibb and North had the courage to rebuke evil,' and that Ihey wire backed by the Bishop .and Mr. Sprott. That Mr. fWard has done a kind act in .materially assisting- to bring about the erection of a children's wdiil in Ihe hospital cunnot 'bo denml. But it is the motive that lends value or .dtlicnrise to the act. The more giving of money in lurge sums is not what the Author of Christianity approves, as we leuru .from His own words when the (wor-widow cast into the .treasury two mites.■■ lie said-she gave more than them nil. . An, however, St. Paul gloried in the preaching of the Gospo! whether of envy or of.a willing mind, 50 I suppose, Wellington nniy glory in tho fact o£ poFft-ssiug a much-needed adjunct to our hospital. It should bo remembered that impure plays often lead to the degeneration of people whoso children more than any others need such places. It reminds me of brewers or publicans giving lurgi.. •. donations to churches'to i-scluim the wrecks of. humanity produced or manufactured by their trade. When Simon Mugmis offered St. I'etor lnqiioy, lit: replied: "Thy money perish with tlice," etc. . Five hundred ward." in a hospital would not compensate for one lost soul. C'haritablo acts may scothe the minds of the giv«rs, and may lead ■them to think that they can purchase Heaven or- the favour cf God, fjrit the Bible dees not so .teach. It teaches that there is but one name under Heaven b,t whiiili uifii Ciiii )yi saved. Men. cannot purchase a place in Heaven either by charily or gdod works. For St. Paul distinctly affirms "That by the 'deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified." One step more is necessary in this inalter in order that the guilty silence of Wellington as a whole may be broken up. That is. that a public meeting be called in the Town Hall, and addressed by both clergy and laymen, and resolutions passed giving expression of the feelings ami wislics of the people on-this and all such other acts and thin«e N that are in opposition to the moral wellbeing of the people. Then wo might be able to bring such pressure on.the Government as to cause such legislation" to to .passed thin session as would put a stop-on anything that injures tho moral tone of the people. "Faith without works is dead being alone." Large numbers .of people would gladly. Jielp in such a movement.—l am, etc., . ■ . „ PROGRESS. . : August 9. INCONSISTENCY. ~ t'l'o the Editor.] ■ Sir,—Pastors Gibb and North havo enriched "descriptive-writing" English with a new phrase—"The Drama of the Harlot," for which let discussers and dissectors of the drama bo grateful. They havo also set a krgo-number of jrouug people of both sexes arguing about a phase o'f life which would not have other-

wise cropped.up in their daily conversations. Olio wonders how much harm ■discourses of this class really do! It must be immense. One of this pair (I forgot ,which}' has now. dofinitely accused the stage of being the chief cause of that form of disease Which is "lulling England"— at any rate, f tlic preacher says it is; and can a Nonconformist minister exaggerate? But Messrs. Gibb and North have not the full courage of their convictions. They have discovered the existence of "The Drama of t'he Harlot," but why did they miss that chance of flaying the opera of the same type presented to Wellington a little time ago. Jlessrs. Gibb and North Heed not have,raked up old copies of tho Auckland "Star" for tho plot of "Carmen," of "La Mpheme," and of "Madame Butterfly." The works of Rosper Alerrimee, .'of' M'urgc'r,' and ;of Bclasco are world-known, but one supppses the Aiickland "Star" is nearer the literary mark of Pastors Gibb and North. Mr." , Williamson gave us, ornamented with much attractive stage setting, everything in/fact designed to attract and to fascinate, tho Spanish harlot in Carmen, the Japanese ditto in Madame Butterfly,' and the Parisian ditto in La Boheme. And to think that the books on which these operas were founded were all to beopenly bought in the book shops of Wellington, shops .that wont even."sell. Victoria Cross. Fie! ' Messrs. Gibb and North, your eagle eye was closed in slumber. ■• •■ , .-. -.- . . ■ Tako heart, however, a good time is coming, n period of the pure and pleasant play, think of it, the pretty pantoniimo. Mr. Williamson is bringing "Aladdin," a play into which there enters no sex question at all, a" play of the loftiest of all the virtues, the love of a bright boy for his hard-working, if alcoholic, old mother. "Aladdin" -tells of the downfall of vice, and of the real triumph of truth, and to the lovers of the-, psychological in the theatre, is there not that elegant touch that almost Haeterlinckian conceit which scourges the innate cupidity of women, the mad folly of the vain princess's lamp bartering. What a play! So Doctors Gibb and North should not omit to bang tho pulpit drum for this "Alnadin." They have proved themselves the 1 est theatrical advance agents in New Zealand; urge the people to patronise the pantomime. Not that they will need much urging.—l am .."'.', G. REGINALD BACCHUS. . Mariakau, August 8. f THE RIGHT OF SPEECH. , AND ITS LIMITATIONS. ITo the Editor.] .. ' Sir,—This morning when I read your paper I was so overjoyed that I was unable to work, and left the shop to try and .calm niy joyous feelings. 1 started and walked over the hills, and, although it was winter, 'I saw'everything with a : smiling appearance. I almost sang aloud with- happiness, but after I had gone on walking for some time, a bolt from above struck me, and I saw how selfish I had been. I saw how in my happiDess I had forgotten m,v brother man'. I realised that what was joy to me had been gall i to others, and I was sorrowful, and from my, high position on the hills I looked down on a sorrowing city—a city of sackcloth and ashes. What then was the cause of my joy and. sorrow r Well, sir, I promised my little daughter last Saturday ■to takie her to hear the Rev/ Dr. Gibb preach on Sunday, but, alas, Providence I trust prevented my doing so, and when I picked up your issue on Monday morning I. fully realised what a "gracious" thing Providence had done for me by preventing my child going to ;church. Fancy, a child Df tender j'ears coming out and asking me "What is a ; , Daddy?" or other questions of a similar' nature. Such words are never ■mentioned in her hearing, and do*s it not seem a pity that any child should hear them first from a pulpit? Does the Rev.' Gibb realise his responsibility? Does' he consider that ho is privileged to .give- such speeches broadcast throughout our Dominion without let or hindrance because he holds the position of a minister? Wonld Christ sanction it? Should our Parliament allow it? Could a layman use the same language in public without being cautioned? Never mind the cause. No minister, should allow his feelings to run away ■with his tongue; and ns far as righteous indignation is concerned ths ministers bad in-'thi«-.,case at least one week to cool down in, and they have absolutely no excuse. Let them point out the evfl of our ways,. ( and let . them protest against'all evil by all means, but let them :< and, in fact, make them keep in bounds-in doing so. '• Lot-them clennse their own churches also,- but let them remember "to cast out the beam from their own eyes before they try-to ,take the mote out of their brother's eye."— I am, etc., ■ s . ■ - - " A.H. ' * Wellington, August 8, 1910. SECOND-HAND ;V[EWS. ' [To tho Editor.] . Sir,—Dr. Gibb is reported in your columns of yesterday to have given, under authority, tho views,of Bishop Wallis in tho matter of the "Girl From- Rector's." As a member of the .Church of England, I, in common other,churchmen, expect our Bishop to voico his own views from the pulpit of tin Anglican church. Perhaps Bishop Wallis will now explain exactly what ho did,say to Dr. Gibb because part of the communication'appears to have been omitted and such omission doubtless bears on the matter.—l am, etc., RITUAL. Wellington, August 9, 1910. ' ■ ■ . I ■ WILL MR. WARD OBLIGE? ■ i fTo the Editor.! Sir,—lt will, I think, be seen, when the excitement has passed, that a great mistake has been made in regard to this play. It, is impossible to .realise or in any \vay estimate-the wrong—present and future—done to a community by plays of this class being staged in it, , and it is an insult to our. intelligence to supposea gift of money, no matter how large, is going to make up for it. A Children's Hospital could have been secured for Wellington without assistance in this way. in reading the list over, it is seen that many names are, so far, conspicuous by their 'absence, usually most charitable. The writer knows of eleven, fivo of-whom are well-to-do, nho between them would have made up the amount that Mr. Ward is giving. My point, I. think, is sufficiently obvious, and need not bo enlarged upon. . It must, -however, bo admitted in justice to Mr. Ward that he had no need to advertise himself or his play by this means. It is possible, too, that' Mr. Waj'd is just as sick of this "girl" of his as many of us are, and would, if possible, have- dispensed with her. services before this.

Without wishing to lie either offensive or tuiiny, I have no objection lo "shock-, ing" Mr. Ward by putting it in this,way. He has already been "shocked" at Dr. Gibb, and onemore will not matter. As an individual, I believe 'Mr. Ward to bo a nice mail, and probably just as particular about his children as we nro, but Hie fact remains he has, -to say the least of it, paid us a very poor, compliment in expecting us to accept without protest a play of tliis class. .1 may say .that an effort is Ixrins made to get a Children's Hospital for Potone and Ilutt. If in. the meantime Mr. "Ward stages one of his nico plays, though he his already been most generous, wo would be greedy, and "one of us would be in by the first train to solicit a. donation, a. small ono, however, in view of what lie has done for Wellington, m> long as we had his goodwill ami patrona-go, and uiiassocifllnl with any "Girl from Hector's." With our facility for "mating laws" in New: Zealand, it is possible tliat if Mr. Word again brings "his girl" to see us ho will find she will not be "received"; but ■■Sir. Ward and his charming company, accompanied by'suitable plnys, always will be, ami gratefully remembered for their kindness and generosity to the children of Wellington. I enclose my card, and rcA LOVER OF CHILDIiEN. ■ August 9. PULPIT AND STAGE. [To tlie Editor.] Sir,—Will you allow mo a few lines to suggest to "An Upholder of Dr. Gibb" fliat it were- bettor if both Dr. Gibb mid Mr. Hugh Ward "toed tho lino"? let. Mv. Ward bring us only plays which "uplift," and let Dr. Gibb preach only sermons \rhicli reflect the true dignity and Christian charity of God's Church. T!i« unbiased onlooker, is becoming alarmed at tho marked antagonism to the Church that is growing up in our miilst; and

could it be otherwise when you, sir, deem it necweary lo modify •the language used by two members of the Church before you consider their communication, suitable for publication? That "The- Girl from Rector's" is a play thatean perform no useful function is a fact few thoughtful persons will deny, but that the dignity and good name of-the Church has been lowered during the recent controversy, is, I believe, a fact as difficult to deny, and very greatly to bo deplored.—l am-, etc., ANGLICAN. IMAGINARY EVILS. [To the Editor.] - ■ Sir, —There seems to bo an unusual amount of. attention drawn to a play, which is at present appearing in our midst. Now, the power of tho. stage is nearly as great as the power of t-no pulpit, in fact, some plays preach a greater lesson than a lot of the sornioiis wo, hear nowadays.' Some of the finest gems of English literature camo from tho pen of William Shakespeare, a writer of plays. Therefore, if tho stage has such an iniiuenco either to good or evil, it is the duty of the ministers of religion to raise their voices in protest against a piay which-.is of .an immoral nature. .

But the Rev: J. J. North and Rev. Dr. Gibb.aro attacking a play which does not show immorality in tho least. In attacking "Tho Girl JCrom Rector's" they are only going by hearsay, and tiio article which appeared in tl« Auckland "Star" in criticism of the piece, which has nothing whatever to do with tho play as produced in Wellington. These gentlemen are not in the position to judge tho play because they have - not seen it. From what I can judge the chief objection to tins play is that one of the characters is supposed to live two months of tho year with her husband, and the remaining ten months with a young man in New York , . Now, thero is no hint of this in tho play at all. This is only a point which must have come from the evil imagination of tho. person who said that this occurred. . If anyone goes to a play with a determination to find something of an>ovil nature in it, and fails to so.do, it is no reason why they, should draw on their imagination.

The statement that tliis play is immoral is an insult to the thousands, who have attended it. I see Sir Joseph Ward and Lady Ward attended last Saturday- night.. 'We must. give our Prime Minister credit, for a large amount of self-respect and it is not likely'tliat if the play is what the Rev. Ntfrth and Dr. Gibb say it is that ho would attend. In addition to this I believo The Dominion is ono of the cleanest papers in New Zealand, and it would deal very severely hiding with immorality on the stage. It is quite apparent that the two gentlemen' responsible for the attack on "The- Girl From Rector's" have blundered terribly and try to shuffle the blame on to the article of the Auckland "Star." , That they have drawn great public attention- to tho play and, so caused many hundreds moro to attend tlmn would have, is a fact which goes without saying. It is to bo hoped that the blunder of these two gentlemen will bo a lesson to them "to look before thoy leap" or to bo plainer, to be sure of their facts in future. They liave practically" insulted the thousands who have attended, the majority being women; and they have dono a most un-Christian action to a gentleman wlio has, I am sure, as great a desire for a clean stage as A tlio. clergy. . Mr. Hugh Ward has returned, good for evil by his snlendid action in helping tho funds of the hospital in such a liberal way.—l am, etc., R. L. August 8. FORGIVE AND FORGET. [To tho Editor.] Sir,—ln one of Dr. Gibb's reconb public utterances ho was reported to have said that' all those who went to see the play "The Girl from Rector's" would'deny Christ. The reverend'doc- , tor may bo unaware of it, but he is not following Christ by. his attitude towards Mr. Hugh Ward. Christ forgavo even those that crucified and it is up to two people, who professto teach the 'Word, to- bury the hatchet and stand shoulder to shoulder with a real little" Christian in doing one of tho works the Great Master would have glorified in. Sir, when the Y.M.C.A. was built the. public gave' bountifully to tho funds for that institution. Sofar I have seen no contribution from the young men to the citizens' proposed now institution. Are they going to rest under the stigma of not contributing to the most charitable work done in our midst for yours? Another point, sir, and I have done. Presbyterian and Baptist children will be cared for and treated at the new hospital, aniJ if the Rev. Dr. Gibb' and Revl- J. J. North persist in being ungenerous and non-Christ-like, well, they will make their people look extremely foolish in the long run.—l am, etc., PEACEMAKER. A TANGIBLE RESULT, : [To the Editor.] • Sir, —There has been much published for and against tho production of this play. If merely iff . a .coincidence, while the echo of the broadsides delivered by the Kovs. Dr. Gibb and North is dying away, , there emerges through the smoke a children's hospital, let us, then, ciieoufngo such bombardments in the future.—l am, 6 °'' THE HEAD OF A FAMILY. August 8, 1910. . A PARABLE.

[To' the Editor.] . : Sir, —Liko Mr. Hugh Ward, I dreamed a dream. Tho time of my dream was tho year 1930, and I. dreamed that I had returned to my native city of Wellington after an absence of twenty, years in the Old • Country. 1 was in tho precincts of. the Supreme Courthouse, and' found it tho same as. it is to-day. A man was to bo tried for murder —tho murder of his wifo.. I entered the court just as an official, robed and wigged as at the present timo, was reading out the charge. "Tlio jurors for bur Lord and King present that you, John Bloggs, murdered your wife', jane 131oggs, by administering poison to her at Wellington on the first day of January, 1929. How do you plead— "Guilty" or "Not guilty"? The prisoner, a well-dressed man, with a cultured appearance, replied: "Your Honour, I plead noithcr. I ontor a plea of 'Ward off.' . 1 have thought of a grand schemo for providing a homo for crippled crayfish. I will give £10 if others hero will contribute sufficient to make up £100," and, snatching a shako from, tho head of the nearest policeman, ho hurried out of tho dock up to the judge, who put into tho shako his I O II for £10. A number of others contributed, ami the proceedings developed into a series of addresses on'the merits of homes for crippled crayfish. 1 wondered when the trial would bo resumed, and asked a legal iis'.it standing near to enlighten me. IJc told me that thoro would be no trial, as the prisoner had collected £100, and his plea of "Ward off" had consequently succeeded. Qn my inquiring further from him, 1 found ■that under the existing law a man charged with murder could enter a pica of "Ward oil" and succeed in avoiding a trial if ho could start any now form of charity organisation wth £100, cither subscribed personally or collected from other people. A burglar would have to find' £50, a wife-beater Cu, and so on. He told me that impecunious or unpopular prisoners were getting hard pushed to find now forms of charities, as the most popular forms were already in vogue. : "L'ho. homo for crippled crayfish," ho said, "would not havo met with much success only tlmt the prisoner was u popular man. and. after

all, his wife may have deserved poisoning." He explained to mo that this plea of "Ward off" had arisen out of an unwritten law, which itself had evolved out of a custom originating in a controversy between the Church and Stage. Ho was proceeding to explain this controversy, but I could contain myself no longer. "What! Is' this justivo?" I exclaimed. "Where is our much vaunted morality, our justice, our rectitude?" I paused-—rectitude—rec-titude—Ward off—Church and Stage—. These words appeared to connect themselves in my mind with something which had occurred in the past. My dream,, howover, here became vague and misty, and I can recollect. 110 more of it.—l am, etc., RELEVANT. WHERE REFORM IS NEEDED. [To the Editor.] Sir, —I am intensely interested in one part of the controversy now. going on in your valuable paper re the "Girl from Rector's." Regarding the merits of the play I am not aty all concerned at the present moment. It may be good, bad, or indifferent. I know not, not having seen it, and declining to listen to others' version I cannot (to. be just) form a judgment. Perhaps Dr. Gibb and Mr. North have seen it. If not, it is a wrong thing to condemn a thing as they have done. It is the part that they are taking that interests me. There is no question about it, these two gentlemen arrogate to themselves the right to champion any cause or to protest agninst certain acts or conduct of those who indulge in -gambling, horscracing, billiard playing, theatregoing, etc., and there is no question about it they do moro harm than good. But their end has been sorved. They have caused a mild sensation. Let Dr. Gibb' and J. J. North stamp out pride, malice, envy, and hatred in their own Church, and amongst those people who claim to havn-graco to overcome; then when they Have got model churches around them it will bo ample time to right other evils among those who make no profession.—l am, etc., ROBIN. GOODFELLOW. [This correspondent lias also ■ gone into a variety of matters to the Churches which wo do not think it would serve any good, purpose to publish.] ■ . . PLAYS AND PURITY. [To tho Editor.]' . '; ' Sir, —1 notice a company of amateurs aro staging "Caste", next week. Aa a lover of this particular play, I sincerely hope neither Dr. Gibb nor the Rev. J. J. will preach a sermon in favour of tho comedy, as it is certain to have a detrimental effect on the size of the audienco, judging from past experiences. , I also hope t)io "scum of Wellington" will be prosont, in spite of the fact that there is nothing immoral in the play.—l am, etc., . ATHEIST. [Wo suspect our correspondent of • an effort to secure a free advertisement for next week's production of "Caste."] A MOTHER'S PROTEST. : - [To the Editor.] • Sir, —If you aro not alroady sick and tired of so much correspondence on the very much vexed question of ■ tho "Girl from Rector's,"- will you kindly allow, mo a small space just-to ask , a few questions? Mr. Hugh' Ward publicly stated that thero was nothing immoral,' nothing'vicious, nothing.calculated to lower the standard of public morals in the-above-mentioned play. Then why in tho name of goodness, did ho allow that report in tho Auckland paper to go;unchallenged? If the piay was misrepresented it was Mr. Ward's bounden duty to ask them to retract their-words, and thus put a stop at onco to u public discussion which has only engendered strife and bitterness.

If tho vulgar and obsccno pictures which a<few days ago met our eye from every point of the compass aro true representations of the characters iu tlio play,' tlien the Auckland paper must have been correct. If on tho other hand tho pictures are not truo representations, we aro forced to the conclusion the play must have been altered and the public deceived. Mr. Ward further said ho loved all children for tho sake of his own (which wo don't for a moment doubt). Now, sir, don't you agree with me that his actions aro somewhat paradoxical? Seeing that parental love is his ruling passion, why did he allow thoso low and vulgar pictures to be exhibited'at. the corners of streets, whero children, going and coming from school, could not help seeing them and passing remarks, causing embarrassment to their parents, and leaving impressions on their young minds, which, putting it in its mildest form, art) calculated to demoralise? How can parents who are trying to instil into their children purity of mind and action, and trying as far as possible to protect them l'roni contaminating influences—bow, I ask, can this bo done when things like wu have mentioned are tolerated and encouraged by a portion of tho public? Ami to do hope that something will be' dono to prevent a repetition of tho exhibition of pictures' which are only fit to.grace the corrupt Court of Rome ,in the days of Nero.—l am, etc., •'

A MOTHER'S POINT OF VIEW.' THE CHURCHES CRITICISED. I'l'o the Editor.j Sir,—Be "Tlio Girl from Rector's," I think that it is just about timo that Messrs. Gibb, North, aii<T others either did tho only thing, left for'them to do —that is to subscribe to a Fund that trends towards the comfort of tho children, that they are so fond of talking about in their pulpits'— or else let tho matter drop. To nry way of thinking, an ounce- of good deeds are worth a shipload of talk. What does if matter if it is the work of the devil, in tho shape of "Tho Girl from Hector's," that is the cause of tho funds rolling "in so rapidly, so long as it is for a Christian cause and for tlio benefit of tlio children . How many times have your readers heard their ministers read from Hie Biblo some such words as these: "And Fie took ■ little children in His arms and blessed them, saying, for as much as vo have done it'to'bno of these my lambs, so also have ye doneit unto Me." 1 have always understood that Ho took them indiscriminately, without clioico or favour. He did not ask..whether Ward, the theatrical manager, had anything to do with' them, or if their mothers were outcasts, or their fathers actors. He did not worry about.their parentage. Ho did what His teaching prompted. He look them in His anus and blessed them, Of course, most of your readers will quite understand how it is that .tho churches have not rushed into tho breach. You sec this is a charitable act for our own children, in our own land. Now if it'was to supply tracts and clothing for black children in Central Africa, things might have been different. Again, you see that tho Children's Hospital is a want that is urgently needed, and tho blacks of Central' Africa neither want the tracts or trousers. Mind you, 1 think that religion is a fino thing, and a truo Christian is a man to admire. The idea, some of our preachers give, one, however, is ! that our' Maker is always on tlio watch, eager to doom you to overlasting torment if you so much as whistle on Sunday, or go to tho theatre. 1 notice at the conference of ministers they all agree, that they are not cowards. Let .thorn provo.it. Show the public that they back their assertions up by deeds, not idlo words. Let each

minister in Wellington subscribe personally. Lot them do this, and I for one will say well done.—l am, etc., NOT A NINETEENTH CENTURY CHRISTIAN. [Portions of this letter have been omitted.] ■ ■ ~ A CHAMPiON OF "THE DOMINION." [To tho Editor.] Sir, —I was very mucli amused to read a report of Mr. Keith's censure on Tun Dominion newspaper at tho Presbyterian Assembly this week; ' indeed, I quite expected after reading it that your paper would ceaso to publish, and that the editor would ho burned for incurring the displeasure of Mr. Rcitb (whoever ho may be). Poor Mr. Roith does not understand how impossible it is for everyone- to entirely agree with his neighbour on every subject, apparently; if you do not think as ho does then you should be censured. Mr. Roith might bo surprised to learn thut somo Christians think card-playing quite aa harmful as theatre-going, and smoking is severely condemned by others, and some Christiori sects do not allow'their congregations to exercise their vote at elections, Yet 1 have, not noticed these good people condemning The Dominion because , it urges people.to vote, and does not condemn smoking or denounce euchre. On the other hand, 1 have heard a great' many jieoplo say that until The Dominion started, religious and moral subjects never in the history of Wellington newspapers, received so much publicity.' ,- Hut, of; course, one could " riot expeot 'Mr; .Roith..to think of-that. He disagrees with you on this subject, so there appears nothing left for you. but the' "thumb screw" and tho "stake for the glory of the Lord." —I am, etc., FIRE AND BRIMSTONE. [Our correspondent is, perhaps, a little severo on" Mr', lleith, who is avery earnest and ." respected \ citizen. Wo cannot expect, and do hot ; try, to please everyone; but'.we, ..at least, possess tho merit of giving : free play to the views of those who „differ 'with us, and who, as a rule, are not backward in taking advantage, 'of .the-latitude allowed.] " . . .. ,"