LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2012, 20 March 1914, Page 8

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

THE PROFESSORS AND PILATE'S REFERENDUM, Sir,—lt will be remembered that last year Professor Mackenzie nourished before us an immense catalogue (like Homer's catalogue of ships) of alleged reasons .against the .bible-im-schouls movement. It contained the declaration; "I am opposed to the referendum pr general plebiscite on the question of wio lilbla in schools because the classic CKiUupte <jf a referendum on a religious issue is that known as '{jive us Barabbas,' " Tins is the illogical argument Wat has now been overturned .so completely that many -opponents of our league ridicule- the idea that it is held. 1 mfessor Mackenzie- cannot so escape. Ho is not without courage, arid hence With the assistance of Professor Hunter makes a determined attempt to buttress it up with analogies and 6-imiiari-ties. The combined search for material has, 'however, resulted ratter in the discovery of dissimilarities. ' So- I'rofossor Mackenzie begins his letter by stating that "the eases differ." He need- have gone- no farther. Amongst the differences Jte Iras found two analogies, Jf-o. 1: "If a plebiscite is permitted on the issue in question the politicians of NewZealand (rather than its. par-sons) will be the Pilatos." This is unexpectedly answered by Professor Hmrtcr, who applauds Pilate for acting nobly and fairly, and for- setting an example in this respect to the Bible in Schools League. No. 2is even loss successful. It states, "The act-ion of the New Zealand Government in permitting a pUA-iseilc would like Pilate's be unconstitutional. 1 ' But ho lias evidently not even read the Bible account upon which he comments.. Wo. find there: "At the feast the KovenW was wont tq release tihto the -mul-tiki-d© one prisoner, whom they would." Xn accrardanee, then, with this custom, the choice rested with the. people, It' could not therefore have been obtained without a referendum of some description. Dr. Hummer -observes, "Prisoners were sometimes released at Rome at certain, festivals, and it wdnld bo quite' in Jronmony witli the conciliatory policy of Rome to honour native festivals in this way in the -ease of subject jaations." The professors liavo signally failed in their task of re-erecting tlie.ir overturned argument. The- argument unfortunately has been too extensively adopted. The so-called Xain'oH-al Schools Defence League is probably committed to it. -I see that Dean Povef has publicly disowned it. The- league's representatives buttress it up with protended analogies. What these are worth I have, shown. As, however, analogies appeal to them, kindly allow me to point 'out that the secularism of our schools is like Barabbas. Both are robbers. Secularism robs Us of our Christianity and- rights by insisting that Christian children shall bo educated in lion-Clinsiian schools. This demand is monstrously unjwst. and exactly as PMato sought to save.Christ from injustice, so the Bible "in Schools League seeks to ea-vo the children. Pilate was - bvijlicd and intimidated by the mob until 3te gave way, and it was the mob that voted at li-is referendum, but the league cannot be put to so severe a test-. It can, not only intend, but,_ with t'ho vote of the .people'.) da', .justice, It will take precautious against tte iiiob, and- be careful to get the vcrdiet e£ tiie people,.so that'the verdict formerly given by Hlato*s mob may ho -reversed. It is to prevent this that, the anti-Bible Leagno is exerting {Iself.—l ani, etc., NISI DOMINUS. March -17, 1914. WHY THIS SILENCE? Sir, —As a constant reader of .your paper I have waited patiently for three - weeks to see a- re-ply'from 3:i'r. Fleming or -some member of the- Wellington Bducation Board to the letter of "J). Kennedy," under dato February 25, asking When "a change had p'een ni4de in the Deed of Foundation of -the Christ's College." ,

: Possibly the members ojf tlie hoard or Mr. Fleming have new that information to hand, If So, I and many ■■others will bg pleased to see it to print. :—I am, ete.,

J. M'DQNNELL.

March 18, 1914,

THOSE MOTOR HURDLES,

•Sir,—l notice, in your papef that "the Petono Borough Council intend raising the height of the so-called motor hurdles through, the borough. .Now, ■hew many of the council own. or drive a ear? I think none of them, or lie would surety have; stood up against this unnecessary expense, One councillor is reported to say that ears go through Potojic at the rate of 40 miles per hour. So they might "do,, and yet not ho driving recklessly. It is not 'the pa;co'ho travels on a straight level i6s4{ it is whether he is using caution on street Hiterseetjofts and corners. 1 have ridden in .cars in WelKugtoai travelling at 30 miles ail hour through Manners Street and Willis. Street in the day time, yet these same -ears topk the corners at I'D miles.

I have driven a ear for this last six months, and I never venture more than 23 miles on the widest af reads, Yet I would antl do drive through the City at 20 miles when traffic permits. Kow, Mr. Editor, if the Petorto Borough had 'aii inspector to sec that all vc* hides and bicycles carried ft light after dark, they would be doing more good for tin general public. I left Lower Hatt the other aright in my 'motor at 7.40, and there was not one in 80' with a light on, I even passed two. two* horse vehicles near Wellington withewvt lights. Aiso,.jvhcn reiurniwfs from Wellington -at ].l€)Q I passed a Chinaman's cart near the scene of the late fatal accident without a light, going towards Potane.

How many motors do *e find af'ter nightfall without a light? ilfc .seems to me all the inspector is for' is to inhc numbers of cars travelling more than 10 miles an hour. After dark lie goes home, and allows tho'greatest evil to <ro on am, etc.. MOTOR-DMYER, DOES PROHIBITION PROHIBIT 1 ? Sir,—Your "Iteader" correspondent, I regret to say, has misquoted your cablegram ■concerning Prohibition and Prohibitionists, Tho oabte, as published by yon, s-eads as follows:—' Prohibition, Calculated to Mako Hypocrites. Cardinal Gibbons Criticised. (By Telegrtpb.~P ? A.—Copyright.) New Yijrk, March .8. Cardinal Gibbons has bee.ii greatly criticised for his pronouncement at Now Orleans that it is- impossible to enforce Prohibition in nil)' Christian country. Tho Cardinal said: "Prohibition is calculated to make hypocrites, and lead to the ftianttfaetflre of illicit whisky, replacing' good matcfiplvwith bad, and sisnidtaijconsly robbing the Government of legitimate taxation." No more comprehensive and just condemnation of Prohibition has been uttered. Tho Cardinal's ■eendoihivatio.n is frond the highest piano, Prohibition cannot bo enforced in itny Chi-istian country. Christian people will not : have Prohibition. But if somo do,' what happens? Prohibition muSses hypocrites. Hypoftrisy is ono of the fiuits of Prohibition not only in Aiivci'* iea. but in Now Zealand and through* ■ niit tlie world, > Prohibition leads, to t}i« ■ iiiiamifacture of illicit whisky-~a bad attick—hciice thero is more insanity in Prohibition States than in _those States j enjeying Hceiising and teK'itiniatc wliisky — a good article. Prohibition robs the ]

revenue- This iiidiotaient against Pro-hibition—-that it creates Hypocrites., manufactures had whisky, increases iii' sanity, and encourages lwt been answered by "A Header," and. lir. Charles M. Shcjdoirs but eoiiiinus Ca-rdinal -Qitibons' statements.

11) l.)r._ Slieidon says, inter alia; "Prohibition does prohihit hi Kansas, 'hut this doL'-s not mean that you cannot get a drink in Kansas, or ttra-t there are no places whore drink is sold: 1 ' Is it not liypoerisy ta pteteud iltlt L'rcliihiliou prohibits-, and then adw.it it does not, qualifying the hypocritical statement by saying the law against i-MUrder is not respected. Cardinal Gibban's statement Unit Prohibition makes hypocrites ,! is proved by Dr. She Won himself.

(2) Br. Sheldon says: "The .prohibitory law lias always teen errfte'ised, I** cause it does not absolutely strap every illegal sale of liquor." This admission proves that sly with all its iniquities, is the first-horn .child of that godless alliance Ko-L-iccnso. ajid l j roliihitioii.

($) Dr. SiieJdoit says: "After tiiirty--two years i>f I'rohibition in Kansas, the liquor business ranks with erisiicj and tho man who ©ngagos in it is regarded as a- criminal." _ Prohibition makes that a w-imo which is no crime, and criminals of men and wotneii who violate m moral law. .

Upon this point Jfehop J. S. Johusoji, Sun Antonio, 'fexas, is worth quoting: "1 would," ho says, "bo the last to curtail or infringe Upon, the rights of the men_ feu-gaged in the Hqjior trade, for I. hellevc they have as much right, under tho law, to se-U liquor as I Save to preach the Gospel af the Lord Jesus Christ."

_ (4) i)t. Sheldon says; "Social drilrltmg'has fallen inttj disrepute in Kansas." "Tlie.ttso of liquor as a/medicine ■is fast disappearing.' ! "Toivits all over Kansas are common where 3iot a drop of alcehftl in any form could bG found in ease of sickness." "If any party put boor f.ll its banquet- tabic? it would ho voted out of pewer." l. s ro : lubifri.on establishes a reign of terror as well as ono of vurivcrsnl liypoorisj'. The churches in Kansas hare {lieir aleoholic; liquor, hut tlieie is not a drop for tiro pool' man's sMi wife. Tin's js ifciio tyranny and iiypee'risy I'rohillitiOnists would like to iinpoSD upon jfeiv; 2sk« iand. If, any political party put beer en its.table it wouhf he. dbomedj, hut the parsofls who would Kite to do t.hfe would dispense alcoholic liquor in their own churches. Cardinal Gibbofts is right when he says that IVohihitioii makes ■liypocri'tes. (5) jDf. ShfiHoii says: "It. is safe to say a si.caltb.icr lot of people than the Kansas eould hardly fo found aiiy-. where 011 oartlt." Itealth means sound-/ boss of body and mint}; and as ire have I ho .means of ascertaining the physical fitness of Kansas wo have rcsert t-o the mental capacity of the people among whom Dr. SlreMoii labours. The Special Report of the I'iiited States Census Office; "Insane and feeble-m.hrd-cdj" I'fjML p. 7j ceiitains the fottow■iiig ;■—"Kansas, pop. 248.0 insane, lffi.S to every ITO.aflO." State tor Statej "w'ot" and "■dry," tho ''dr,v iT States aggregate tlio laxgesi lj'iimhcr of insane in America,. And if. Prohibitiftii ■ prohibits tlicso iigUrcs .give tjie lie direct to the charge that 'drinking pro* motes insanity. )

(6} B'i\ ijlioldem says: "Tl'jo greatest thing Prohibition lias done for Kansas is I-to establish t.h» conviction with the ymtrtg generation that the -entire liquor business is an iniquity aiul an qv-il without line- t'edeeiiiiug quality, a.iid that it ;.s the business -of civilised jam- and ; WMiwm t© rub it ttff t'ho map. of tho VwIoL". This is a njero ]iypoi:We., a : n:d ivjien ■cxaflifticd Vanishes into thin ,a:if, Hjo IMted States:,' *lth more- 'than lta'if "ihy," consumes I.JS'SI,OQO;OO .gallons of beer eaoh.yftar—one hundred ■iinllifiii gallons ,iiior-o . than (3<srma)iy, and conies next- to liussis to spirit ooiisumption, with. 133,000,000 galloiis. "li.iilj it oiF tji«> map tii iliO wirfldl." i Mrs. X'artjiijsßoii tried to sweep hack, th.o Atlantic ■with a lj.foaft). Dr.. Sheldon \WmiH- I'tib liliis business tiff tbo world' with t.hft broom of PrGhibitaon, ' H&.Qticl jMohibitipnists will sijccefcd. as ' Mrs. Partington suecpeiled. But wliat about this yoinig gejioratioft' of Kail" sans, who M' 6 Rrewiii.g lip filed with Pr-fthibi'tioii _ liotiHiis ? The ytujjig Kaiisstis aro quitting Kansas for Wa.ris where they caii cseupo the. 'hypoeHtieftl, spill-destroying effects of Prohibition. With only 17 people to the sQuarc nrtio Kansas, 0.110 of the. rapst proii'tic States in tho tmioii, is .riot abfe to rotate Irar ji&tjvc4)orJi population, Ccniparo Kansas with Nnw Zealand;**-

Pap. IS'J(I. Pop. I*o. Increase., I Kansas ;.. i.42?<o9fi 1.,J70,W§ 3 per cent. ; N..55 035,308 •7JO,.(iSi2 23 per e.eift. : With more than d'otibl'fi tho ppp.ulatffiii Kansas, un.der"Prohihitto% tocre.as■od by only .3 per cent,, while iS T ew Zea- ■ land, under Licensing., increasing by 23per -cent, ill the saihe period, Pwlwbitvoit .'drives young people away, and that stows what tire irisiiif: genbiraitis.iiithinks, of Pvohiliition in Kmfsas-^sho ■ cannot keep them.. They .get away fro'iii a State rampant with hypocrisy .aiid. make-lwKeVfc. (These! figures are. frqin. tho "Bncv. ißtit." and the "N.%. YearBook."} '; {7,) Di\ Sheldon shows us how' tli.o ■■ illicit trido in conducted. li Tho lawbreakers are now rediiiecd to goinij. tp Kansas {Stj'y in the State, of Missouri, with flli o.iiipty j?iifcc.a.Se and hr'ms it. back fiifi of wMjdrf of hc;ei-v f< Ap.r-t from tho Bjjltivaticw of dcepptio.n whicji '■ this Prohibitionist .discloses, .there, is' the siiggestfo falsi af. IliQ nev.. jjr, ■ Slicldoti that Kaiisas City in Jiisso&ri State is some distance-awfty from lva.it-; Sas City of Kansas. Stato. fhq truth is that thero is as mnch diffeteiiccT^ih; paVts not that—between KartsaSj jV'iis■soar!, and Kansas at Kansas as there is hetw-eeii one side of Lambtow Qitajvjbd; tlwfttliOT. "The two 'form a single coiitiiie.rcial coniintinity," says tin? "j2iv<j.y. iJfit-.)" »ind. liqjaoi' is sijld. openly on one side of tho street a'nd wijsiiincd secretly .and hypMriticaily on the ■other'—"rob* : biftg thft (joveiMirtieiit of iegitimato tittij," as Oard.mal Gibbons puts '"t----(Si) Br. Slieldo.i.l Snyss *'1| q.iivono is. tloubtifnl about cpiulitions in Kansas.,. and StiK thinfts. tlwrt Prohibitimi ihss ' not prohibit," etc. Aiiytfuo must eeas.o to have donhts abOMt iha ■.eo.ndit.iffi.i of. iCniisas after J)i\ SimWon's. ovickiicoj ■ and. 'must s'til'l think that I > roh'ibiiio.ii docs not pwhihit beeausb Dr. ShfildOii i has deni.oijstaitod its abaolute failure, 1 aikl proved the truth of Ca.rd.i.iiai 'G.ibboiis's Qbservatift»;_ Proh.ihij.ion iiialfes h.vpooiites, jiftcl is iinjjossib'fo in atij': C%rist : ia.n oomitry. if- lurtiter evidence : iverft rcofuirod, it is found in tho report ■ of the Ito.y>a! Caiiatlian Coiiu'itission to Kansas, and their ftudiiig reads- 1 -"Prinking Iras been reduced in coviji-: try districts, but evid<-iic« ahiindsnt ";ul coneliisivft wfts suhmitteci. io this Coin.niissicin to estahjisii 'the- i.iiter failure of tho law in the cities.". .ASiMxial: ComMiitteo of tho Kansas LejiislatHre also declared; "Your caliiiijitt-eo liaslieard no testtmoiy that.indnces thxjni to hotfews that the prohibition law* has. been ejvfoi'eed in any city in the State through the agency of the /Metropolitan: fioKce or any (ithor machinery af the taw,"—"Tho Tcnfpe.fai!.co ■Problein' 5 p. 235, Having regard to.the.seK-ctotraf&uV' t'ory cliarac-ter of the R<?v. ]D'r, Sheldon's evidence on Proljibition lii Kan* 1 sas, and th» great force of •established proof against hifii.. no judge, of jMry : tt-oftkl regard the reverend .doctor, is a reliable wituoss.—'l aw H etc.,, JIOiSfIEIUTIi. ;