LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2123, 15 April 1914, Page 8

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

*'A DAY AT THE RAGES." { Sir,—l should liko to protest against Mr, Wtltrafn Anderson's evident jncas> lire at the intelligence of the citizens «f WeliiHgtwi when ho produces fur them such a eitow a,s "A Dfty at the Races," now runniuK at the Orand Opera House. 1 fficl sviijft that at any third-rate musichall, even, such "liifflo" would aot win favour and. it wns only becsusp it eame r<>b<>il hi tlio dress , of ''best prices" and with a flourisli of advertising trumpots that tW andjcßce sat it out, ivaitteg item iit'tor item for 'eomo good "star , turn that did not appear. Now wo arc home from it; iwrhaps many of tlio audkuiee afo smiting, as I am, not »t tho remembraneo of Bomo. good new; joke, not at tho vision of sow* danco prettily executctl/ not again owr bear-., ing a song well sung, but just smiling to think how very gullible tho pttklie is. j —I am, etc., OKB OP THE GULLED, THE EGREGIOUS SABBATARIANS. Sir, —For ignorant Pharisaical fian•senso cowmowd me to your correspondent "Keep the Sabbath*" The whole Salihiiterittß <3octri*ta depends upon (1) i on liio aeceptanco of the Bible as a Jit* i orally Divwo Word/ancl (2) forced interpretations of tho said. Bible. I accept tho Miflark in Hosea quoted by .your correspondent: "the people arc destroyed for .lack of knowledge." "What is reqtiireti in a knowledge of tho bUiinporianee of the laws of the univcrso, awl of social well'bfejng, Like tiTictetius, w<j must "disperse thft terrors and shadows of tho'mind, not by tho rays of tbo sun. but by the 'knowledge of JsV tu.rc and teasoit." Fancy the utter im'tnorelity of .the 'Bo,ctrifte that B'ould hoW iv such s soulless formula as tUat tlio doiufi of work on the Sabbath, the taking of amusement on tl»e Sabbath, ■or evoa the /camrtitting of trifling "sins" on the, Sabbath are as bad■ *s the erimo of mtitder. ' These Book-wor-shjppiup formulists 'have no sense «f praporticiD, no sense .of degree. They are, however, Capable of making tttemseh'es and pers.eus'with β-hom^tliej , associate miserable. '■ 'they oven worry about food, aM get;'ap a pecujiar "relijjknis" diet. ; I 'ask'stif candid man if ho has often seen a healthy, mtcHisiontJookiftE ffletobor of' : ttee modern Puritan sects. They'<?'io of the same di- : seases as afflict '■'©rdwary tinregenerato I humanity, they- do not produce any i athletes'for ajt itheip popaliar recim«n of diet. Persmialiy, Idp not like as" soeiatinß with, thetnj. their is : almost enqujjh .to- make a wan rejoice ; with' tlio materialist'—

That no niari'Hves for «*er, Thai <fead meiirfto upwwr, *That even'the,longest river Goes somefthsresafe to sea. I am, etc, 'ANTI-CAST, THE GENTLE HINDOO, Bit,—ln common 'with many others- I svas deeply shocked to read in the telegiam (one from Hamilton) announcing that tho ludisßs who are over-running the King Country .are becoming a serious menace to the morals of 'ilio qiies-tioa of race purity is 6u6 of the mt).ii vitas questions for every triW Nesr Zea-ia-uifcr. .-Tiesfi tfeat can carry tJieir Hienior/ back jar enough will .remember thai «jno-jrf- the most strifcitig features oi the last part of the late Mr. Sedan's teptbo was bis crusade for race purity. Tbh is ■ a matter tiat is far above party politics, u-iid quite as important' as the -defence; system. On many occasions thiritig tie; last fewyears of his life the late Jit. Scddon jp.rtjslttjiteed that "*'e musk nia-i.ntaifi t-Jie purity of til® race at all tosts/'_ The: cjqes-t.ioji iiiinifldijitoly p.Fe'sei-1-t-s itsolfT Are ire doing tills? Judging by tte startling u.ews contained fit tho -abovc* pientioited telegram we are not. Of course, w> hare no Tight fhfo* a stone at the Maoris in tWs nifttter, for over in Newcastle, Noy, , South Wales, they liiivo Laseats, Chinose, and back niggers, all «sf whom "have no dif- : .fieulty in obtaifti-ivg white wiTes." As W as the Maoris nro cohccriwd I belfcvo they wish to keep eHt.fcre.ly to tliomsolvcsi judging by tlio proaovincenieJits of nrany of their proininatt meii. What they themselves think of their coiint.rywo.meil who ally themselves ■either lieltly or .jlfteitfc , with these "tangata. Sea" I am uiiabie- to say. Wo claim tho right as in tho ca-se <yf the ancieut lteman States to govern our coup-try as wo think fit irreisi*2e<tiro of Rome, .Wo do not forgot ovif a-iiogiaueo' ie- Rome iji doing this. As : to Asiatics let us say frankly tltst tvo do not object-to them oft tho grounds of their la«-k of cdticatimiv. Wo tlid right to .exclude Asiatics irrespective of what atty other pfirtio.n of tho British Empire- may tljWc Bettor to say that at once thim h*vo aMj* humbug . about -education tests or tho 'like. I confidently commend thfe subject to tho liewJy-for-mofl Sew Zeaknd Kat.ives , Assoeiatioß, as although not a uittu'o ■of New Zealand njysolf I am coivwiaod ti-int they hjivo thp.w'clfaro of »H New 2ealttoders, including Maoris (the "ta-n-gat-9 whenua"), well at lica-tt.—l anij ■ BENJAMIN MORGAN, Wellington,, April 13, ■

A PROTEST.

g,j r) _\Vo, the mothers of this B«i.n-m----iaiij-kntcw io out cost what free., eestt* jar, iviid compulsory education means for out cliittlren, add wo i> ro of tlio opinion'that it is high time seme, ehtt-ng* was B-iado in ttio ewrrieuhim in our publie schools', vtfiieli-a.ro maintained by tho people's, money, and to which wo aro compelled to send oar children. If this is ft free country-, V.e> a largo nreiwrtioii-of tho.people, have a "perfeet: rigitt to ask that a bo taken on* this innch-argucd β-übjeet: 'flip p)a«jii" of the Bibfo in our State Bchool?, irrespective of <nw IVinffi Minister's: ■ views on the subject. And so wo tni-ontl i«i leavo ho stoiio UiitUrilcd until We get i Vi4i«fc wo are lighting ior f >iz., the Biblefor our children, in tho ft! fa to ssrheels oi this land; no h&K-hours before or after school, but »-s a- iessofl book in our schools, so that every clriM ftttay out ra •tie hacMrioetes -Way bavo t-BO aamO clinneo to reftd: "Thy Word is a- law to unto my feet, and h'fcnt unto «iy path,and "Suffer the-lime diiidwjji to come unto me, autl fwbid them not, for of euoh is the Kingdom of Heaven, , as tJw ' (fhiWeii. in *Uo larger and' nwro privHagcd mikes.. In s'our yaluaUo paper the other daj you devoted iicsrJia column to 11iomo.s A. Edison, a meu h-lw was voted first among the toij most' us-oful '■ and wtet did tio civo as one ronied.y that would solve oijr softjal itfobfcms? (Aud Ul VlCWof tho happenings in thm PojihWm dftr-ing thp last six month-s, don't they lifted solving hero?) lfo.&titt! "Maeation of tho right sortiii • early AMliooa. rl'ou can't do anjv tiling with a. grown man, lou cant do a-iiytiinig or predict anyiiung about a woHjan e#er, . » , «u« take a elrild of .font years oid and its wind is plastic, .and wtatwer you put In 'tWft rfi tt- I "'^ s , st^- - .See how rcligwus bclrefa -irtiplwrted in o.MMljood stsj with tho adult i« spite ef OTOWwine, If is neeoSsarj , to tn-Jto them yeung aftd to twcU toerftKtJ; and ciwi-actcr, to fix »k those plastio mW-f, so.fmt it. wvl-l ho . HUpwsiWo i'os; thorn to tluuk ivr.oitg er do wrong. ,, ~

And he\t ca% we tf<> this if we withheld Urn flip secret of ©ughuvd's croßtncss nnd Iho li<?rit*go of «s Eng-Jisli-spt'iiiifiifi ivc(j])lfcs, the. Book for wFiich soiuo df oir ,feroWJicfs..g.iyo boft life and liberty, from- fb chi.l#cn in our State schools? Js.tirefO ftnvthttp fatter titan the dbjefitive: of tlio Biblc-in-Stiito -Seioois feaaue <?!■ New Zeiskud? te-

Sens read in s school hows by the children thpflißclvcEj Jvorn Strtpliteo hooks grovidcd ]t$ the Educatwn Department j >itaio sotexil teachers supervising the reading, but not giving sectarian dr dogitmt.ic teeching. Visits during wheal liouts by jjiiiiistors or accredited teach* «rs from tho Churches, instr-jtetuifj children in the faith of their if-athers j con* irefoneo claiiso by v/hleh. Hip preiit has complete control of the chilcN religious instruction in the public school. Can. anything |o fairer than, this? I thm.k wot. .

Lately tii Wellington wo.have hk& teflehe-fe from country schools spending day after day for -nearly t\vo -Weeks .iu pJiysicftl gymnastics, in order Hint they ro-av dowreo'fifteen -minute, .pet Any iu t.'lteV several selioofe to physical o-uituro of tho children, and is it ftsfcmjj too inueh that tliie same amount of timo should do devoted to leading what ie y£ far more imprt-aneo for their etenitti welfare? Surely list, Sa, taking fo;r our motto, "Ofa et Tabora," this will wo do until ou:r desire is flccofiipiielicdj Thiinkfeg you id B.n : tkipati.oij,—l afli, GtC-, . ONE m MANY MOTHERS*

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS. Sir,—As Professor Huh'ter its '■ clined" to continuo ttie cbntroversy, may 1 I be permitted to remind Km of one ' : of two things before Sio retires? Ho ' started out with three vaEue!y-jmt ' charges, and has made others ' ally. \l) That Oanon fiarla-nd has endorsed ', the "absolute!;? sectarian" system in ' ] Switzerland, f'or this tie has liot given ! a. tittle of ev'deneei Instead, he has J sljowji eiKtrao.rd.mar,y igivoranoe Dr..p<iv- ! vefaity as to the StatfcnjaUaged Swisst BYstem, whefo the teacters give only ' UHKotariao t,ead»iig and '''sectarian" : instiu&tioii i<> entirely optiniial, 1 ' (2) That the league is uufaMy asking ' for 3 special' referendum, No ■■evidence 1 again. Instead, a reiharkalilo ft'nxiety I ■ ttf escape from m> approval of Mr, Seih ■, don's "statcswartlite , ' Eckrend'um Bill, I 1 including BibtcHflrsqhsota t : (3) That Canon 'Garis.ua commits tbd f Anglicjiii C'bWch.'tp- tcswfmg rtnufbi, ? tion as a rdigiows Issue, lintrttel . ' Oshon Garland specifically saw that in- " dividual? for Slid Pfehibftioo r:e» : garded it as n rdllgifliiis issue. , , : (4) That Dunedh Biin.ist.ers break tiiS : kw by teaching reiigkm In scjiosl -hents* ': Invited, to show liow this differs from ■ bis' "legal" Kelson system, Jour cow ' respondent has metjbing to sny. >: Our ■"entirely secular" system permits ' fto first lesson ? ft.cr tbo selw has ' Essembied to be giv.en to religious k- ' s'truction! (N"el?ofi-.s.ys.tem), toprcmU) > that this is legal, «o have tho following '. ajssertfons (ilarcfi 14): "fiw statement that the. law is broken ttlicrawr the Nelson svsteni prevails is simply y'■ (March S'9j ''Does yoW eoTOs.iioiideui not know thai undfef the Kelson system teligious lessom aie- not a breaoa ot ; tW lawf" (April 1) *'e h.avo seen ."Wfied with t)io farts," awl, with scpqrb professorial satires head's, "I think it *as. voiir JMtrespondent himself wh4 rrtmm to legal pedanta}-." TMs last is a spteiw did Hut ufifortunat.ely it has huttt the breeeh end hit tho -marissmatt. Further, yo'ur -cotrespondent turns m kisawaparty." In ft psftpbiet pudisted bv the 'oe£ence League,, the rtfsgvou* relefendam h said to be .uisto.ritalk a faitai*. the .prafessor suggests tftat Sfi-ftzerlafid, tlio home, of the .referendum, U mi rolefred to. . w* no v ercd-'ted his coHe'agiies. with fMttt igawsnec. H:e farther t*e mmHhlet to the 'Defence!' League, thtann. na*elv for him it tars tie league'srun. yrimattfr. "'issued by the »K«; eatioii Defence League, ttnd»RLo.B& are the names of Mr. camnieti and froiessor Jlaskenfle, tecent or : "&H* bis miiriy' esserfionS . wifhont proof and ■ftifwrraulod S-tfggfestrtas y«w cofrespondent at length promises .us light, and iafcos us-16 Barest tew*i ■Ho : lifts discovereri {Hat- tho Bishop or Zaniibar di*«r* from the: lrcb*ishop of ■Cantctbury's opinion ;that the tanoui 'eiieioii's bodivsafe all biancJios ot ths Chitrtiv Of Gbrist, He dots tot add th* ■candiedight <ii his esphnaiwn ta.show prcclsclv'ho* ■this WfcfeJico iliuminatei the'tirosoil.fftqiiestJpii. perhaps Itoe apostle of ufts'e.ct.aria'nism -hones to Split the ranks ai tho BiMfe-vn-sehools party by tlirq-fl-in-g au apple of -discoid among 'luWndii.sion., may 1 'he permifttijd te remind jOW.readers of of ilio Defeiiett League? ,0n Ju y 3, .1910, Mr. Joseph II'RAe, tl» »«»<!hnrti«» . icotow (imported -or an i!wador?| Sivf a lecture oh "Secular Bducat.on , ' in the fow« Hall. Ito tone of % .!«■ tare' was aiecrfftgly. Ch^Bto i nnifcv mtd ntav be judged h , ««» 1,, c ,' \ S ! 'W people" MiWceiliwr, ■wfcr-ring to tte FoiMid.w of'-Glwistwrty. thrt a person really did (LaHB-Irtpr from sowc of .thetlitv platform were Sir Kobort stwt, Professor Maokoiwo, *b& Mr. trammcll. \t tlie cbso ilio Be«9M» l-eaguo W -fwiMd. 'I'b'Ko nm tho ppr-seii-S who aro ionSiltJM** at being eslted oppMienl* nions of tho M-son SSeton of religion* Ketiol And it k ,<WSJ Sri™ that BaOwn,whDri» fcMi»* * 'April 4-. _^_^~ MONTESSOBI'S iASt WORD Qtf

Sir—With fitarthng japiditj Monto.sorri sprang into prominunce m tliu educational Vrld, the reason boms licr long andcaniPot jucpaiation, the soinnliiPss ol her thcoiin.. and tho rcmaiV able success attending her experiments wills children of tho slum tjpc , , and a'" o with thobo of tho Italian noUiluj, Mucli controversy has raged neic oier the respcctno nicins 01 religious ana scculai education. , In the pubk mind tlio question bcems to Iwve si'ttled donn to tho mcro for or ngamsl Diblc-readmß in schools, flhicl', <".™ if il »eie settled ono uav or tho oth»r, would pinctically leave the quouiott ol religious nibtruciion untouched. . An outLont\ like Montcsorri, who has i\on her spurs m ho romarKablo a niannor, Joservcb a levercut hearing, for blio also has something to sa,v on tlrih question. Sho claims that all humiui progress ani'-viclorios t.ta»d upon inner force, she abhors the dry bones, of \v'i>tpm, and feels 'the- need of meditation." Sho writes:—"As (ho soul of tho mjs- ' tio perfects itselr through prayer, oven so in oui little, ones, that cxpiesslou of civilisation, written language is acquired and itnpio\ed Ihrougli exercises which nro skin to, but which me not vriting, ,J In the "Literary Dipest," Monteseori is quoted ni speaking ot tho kernill of iior method bcii'K called auto-education. "Meditation means somolhirg growing. Tho JeMiits s>uocecdod in winning sosils inrrel.\ by encouraging the- people to meditate. Meditation opened up an unsuspected inner world which fnscinaied tho t\pe of person accustomed to flit over a multitude of things. Take- tho .difference between reading and meditating Vβ may read a voluminous no\el in a single nig'il. no may meditate upon a \-orw ot Scripture for an entire hour. , When wo re.id a novil in a night, it is like tho wind that. pas-.ej over and ground. Tlicro ib a si]uaiideriiig of the okviical iwwer , !, Hut ibe one who ntaimitatos in a manner that surprises himself, because lie f'-cK something iinroining to life within him. It i« as tlioiiß» a icf'l hail been plnnlod in fertile soil, aiui suddenly, hliilo ft had lioeii fpricctlv motionless, hepan t<; gesminotf." Uut. she goes on to !>a-\: ''The mos.t mnrvelleus discovery nas tho physical impio\cment of those little plii'ldictti' , elaiuiin:? that "this renewed giaour was sluo sololv to t>. complete snti«fartio» of p-syrhie life." Her rlobitiß iojnarl; is ono that may not suit our sp.ttivk-r ov materialistic c;ritifes. ! - u 7tm : . auiazriig •distdverv might li'Wo b».*ft ;for-

seen had we stopped to think how our own physical health dopends far moreoii happiness and a peaceful conscience than upon anything material as bread." ■ —I am, etc., - . „ . • J. GRIFFITHS. Johnsonvillo, -, ._.,.■• RE THE HADFIELD HOSTEL. Sir,—A few weeks back Mr. T.. ■M. •Milligan.suggested in. your columns that Professors Hunter and M'Kenzio had been sowing their "seeds in institutions, provided by the English Church." -(Misstatement- No. L.). 1 subsequently denied this, and gave my word to.that effect, stating that I owed my attitude to no external influence. This one remark constituted my whole statement. Not only did Mr. Milligan omit to apologise: for the most unjust reflection, ho Had made, but. referring.to my letter in your issue of April 13, he brazenly sets forth- that on my own admission I am "nofc -entitled to be in that institution," i.e., the, H- afield .Hostel. (Misstaten.ent No. 2.) I challenge Mr. Milligan to make hir'assertion good, and in the roeantjme '. declare it to be utterly false. . ■ Misstatement No.' 3 .is of a much inoro serious nature. . Mr. Milligan writes that "many churchmen and women who have done, a lot for this institution.do not know the outside conduct of some of these boys,", and ho then, proceeds to say that these- hoys can rely that he "will -use eyery_ en-deavour-to detoso that institution." From this it.is clear, that Mr. Milligan has publicly charged some members of the:Hadfield Hostel with misconduct. On behalf of these students I now demand an apology from Mr. Milligan. I leave it to Mr. Milligan's sense of honour either- to substantiate the charges he has made or to withdraw them.—l am, Q. M. GLEGHORN., Hadfield Hostel, Eelburrie. Dear Sir,—As 'one- interested in the Hadfield Hostel, I should like Mr. T. M. Million 1 to explain a" sentence in'his letter published in The Dominion of Apr.il 13. . He says: "To make it (the ho3teb what it should bs—an honour to the; Church, not a by.-word in the district in which, it is situated." This,. I think, requires explanation .—I am, etc., ■•■'.■ ■ ANGLICAN.

April 14, 1914,

■Sir,—Mr. Milligan is a born controversialist. The evolution of his genius can be traced through many back files of (The Dominion. But it was left to the edition'of.'Monday last to convey to the world his masterpiece. Hitherto he-had been hampered. by ' a lingering respect for tlie'rules of debate, but at length he has' risen .above the restrictions that bind lesser men and taken rank amongst the immortals. Seldom indeed in the annals of modern controversy has the. ■public been edified -with such an exhibition of spleen and-bigotry against the person of an opponent as Mr. .Milligan gave vent to on Easter Monday. ' ? . But-when the'first magic glow of ..Mr. Milligan's eloquence has cooled, .the reader may see he is somewhat beside the point. 'What, sir, even if-my conscience is "flabby"? AVhat if the Church's "linen should be'washetr?. ,What of the possible, consequence; of the "outside conduct of some of these boys" ? A man of Mr. Milligau's zeal cannot help denouncing iniquity where, ho sees it. But why call it "Pilate and the. Keferendum" ?• "Mr. Leary going: to , the. Devil', , would-be more suitable.Even then the letter.would be somewhat beside the mark-,- for tho merits .of any of.Messrs.- Cleghorn, -Pilate,. have very little connection with the real bone of contention—Bible , schools. Indeed my original offence/was jn asking, that that issusbb debated fairly, .and se.o t Mr. doing- 50.. , ; ,But because. l'.'asKea; & ..ques- ' tioni Mr; .Milligan.: is .going" '.'w.., '..start cleajisirig thftCTjuic#v'".Ldo,nok. presume, to '(.contest";tfc.i statement.. that"/ ..the'Church needs cleansing,. but ..would. confine, myself to suggesting ■ that Mr.:- Mil-' ligan<begin,at home. ,'Unjust insinuation' will.do her no .good.- In. fact, in the. interests of justice I implore jthe,public' not -tp - take Mr.- Milligan. as typical. of the Church's attitude. It bfihovea me to save her from her ,supporcer,,'as\the damage he would do her is incalculable." Ho; is an -unconscious". Judas, though probably well meaning enough. It is but his excess, of zeal,that has betrayed the Church to the accusation of bigotry, niisstatement,.and persecution...' . Again! plead for liberty of conscience and freedom of speech, within' the walls of an ecclesiastical edifice. am.almost, as. much against Bible in 6choolsias I ani in favour' of National •Prohibition. Will Mr. Milligan assert i that I should be, "cleaned" out of the Church's institution if I openly advocate • the cause, of Prohibition, knowing as he and I do that a majority of the Anglican Church is against that movement? Would he Bwear me to s'ile'nce. on that issue or .call my liberty of speech the license of the political'hoodlum? Doubtless Mr. Milligan, being a loyal churchman, is an ardent, liquor', advocate.- ' I should havo great pleasure in debating these two. issues with Mr. Milligan' on the public platform.

By resorting to the weapons of personality, Mr. Milligan has destroyed his case; but doubtless ho will arise again like "the phoenix, from the ashes of his own destruction, flapping vigorously and unabashed. But clipping his wings is an undignified sport, and although in' the good cause_ of free discussion it-palls after a-.timo, it only makes him flutter harder, and something is due 'to the public.—l am, etc., ' LEONARD P. LEARY. Hadfield Hostel. DRESS CIRCLE SEATING IN GRAND ; OPERA HOUSE. Sir,—l quite agree with your view expressed in tho report hi 'Monday's paper that there is not enough rake in tho dress cirqle, with tho result that you cannot obtain a perfect view of the stage', owing to tho heads of those in front of you. Might I respectfully suggest to the directors of the Opera House Company that as soon as there aro any vacant dates that extra boards be placed in the dress circle, say, one iucn on second row, two inches on third" row,' tlireo inches on fourth row, and so on up to'six inches on"seventh row. An extra inch or more would tie-a great help towards , obtaining a clear view of the stage, and the cost, well, is nothing for thosako of a magnificent theatre.— I am, etc., ■ ■ A REGULAR PATRON. Wellington, 13th April, 1911. . HOTEL TARIFF. Sir,—Much ado has been, made by the hotelkeepers of Wellington-over the new award.concerning them, and. in an interview .with , your representative the president of .the L.V.A.; .states that the whole of: the increase of the award is to'- bo put on to the public. Tho president of. the L.V. A., as well as every other hotelkeeper, must havo known that the six days a week work could not bo delayed any longer, and in faco of this knowledge • I would like to ask the hotelkeepers why they continue to give 6uch fabulous prices for goodwills without raising the tariff or putting up the prica of. drinks ? . There is apparently an anomaly somewhere. Only recently a, city hotel lease of five years was sold for something like £8000, the publican paying rent, rates,, and insurances. Other hotels with shorter leases. changed l hands at corresponding prices flbout the same time. Now, if tho hotelkeepers can afford to pay such big prices for such leases, I fail to see why they should make the public pay when an award is niado to hotter the conditions of their employees. I understand that seventy-five per cent, of tho Wellington hotels are owned by the brewers, consequently the publicans are oliliged to.go to wine- and 'spirit merchants for advances, and have to give. a mortcace over their leases, furniture,

and stock, arid pay 8 per cent, for 60 doing, and are also compelled to take all wines and spirits from such merchants. • .: . ..'•■•

It appears to mo that if a publican can do this and make- money, • surely tlio small increase of wages and less hours of work is not going to ruin the tradeas predicted. Trusting-the trade will reconsider its decision, as the public will strongly resent such increase in the tariff as proposed.—l am, etc., 1 OBSERVER. A BpY'S REQUEST. Sir, —I am a boy- aged 11 years) and have been ordered by α-doctor to lio flat , down on tho floor, not raising my head, for 8} hours every day. I wonder if any of your readers could tell me of , anything I could do besides reading or practising on a■ • flageolet. Something that von't affect my eyes. And could anyone suggest a kind of book-holder, because holding the book is very tiring to mj arms.—l am, etc., "FLAGEOLET." Marton, April 14. - [Perhaps sonio of our readers_ may havo a helpful suggestion- to assist to rnnko this lad's daily ordeal less irksome-.] BANK DIRECTORS. Sir.—ln a contemporary there is pro-' diiced, under the , heading of "Public Satisfaction," some remarks made by a writer in' the- "Lyttelton Times" iu respect to the recent Government appointments to the-Board of the Bank.of New Zealand. Criticisms are made as to the fitness of the Hon. T. Fergus and Mix R. W. Kane as compared with Messrs; David J. Nathan and William Milne.

■ As fo the latter, he is referred to as "an experienced and capable banker," and the writer goes on to say that "probably no. man ever connected with the bank has rendered more conscientious tir Valuable services to the- 'country." Without in any way wishing to speak disparagingly of Mr. -Milne, and his work as a director of tho bank, I would observe that, in point of ability and experience, he is completely outclassed by Mr. Kane. So far as I am aware, Mr. Milne, prior to his appointment as a director of the Bank of New Zealand, never occupied a higher position than that of manager at Oamaru, whilst Mr. Kane, at tho .date o'f his retirement a few. months ago, after nearly 40 years'. service in tho bank, was, as head office inspector in charge of tho North Island advances, next in rank to the General Manager. Before filling that post, ; he was manager of -tho Wellington branch for 13 years. . And, as to Mr. D. J. Nathan, his recent indiscreet utterances in Sydney in reference to the late strike, and the Government's connection therewith, should,.l imagine, permanently discount his claims to cccupy such a position as director'of a bank, or any other public position.of importance.—l am, etc., BANKER. Wellington, April 14.