LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 22, 21 October 1918, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

COVETOUSNESS. AND DESTRUCTION

Sir,—John Plowman is quite wrong about covetousness and idolatry being the first and last of the Ten Commandments. The- German nation is the most religious and cultivated in their own estimation of' any nation on tho face of the earth. The Kaiser has regarded God as his junior partner, and the German people as the instruments in the hands of the Almighty to spread Kultur and salvation over all tho earth. In bringing those nations that object into subjection, the religious mind of Germany has backed tip the military spirit, b'ecßUse this religious Germany believes *hat in persecuting, murdering, violating, and devastating conquered peoples, they are working the will of God. Has John Plowman read the declaration of the leading theologians and professors in justification of Germany's making war and destroying the weaker, smaller nations? It is this religions bigotry and self-righteousness that is the curse of Germany. Eeligious bigotry and self-righteousness in a nation, or in any class of a nation, will leaxl that nation into the persecution of others for the good of their souls. John Plowman must read history. Ho must take stock of the religious bigotry and self-righteousness rampant in New. Zealand if he would understand what New. Zealanders are up against. Gambling and intemperance have never sought to impose themselves'on others, but religious bigotry and self-righteousness are for ever rearing their heads for the purpose of the persecution of their neighbours. Let John Plowman look around him and he will see that the worship of Mammon—idolatry—is as rampant inside the churches—pew and pulpit—as it ie in the unregenerate world outside.— Iam ' etC ". A. DANIEL.

WELCOME HOME . Sir—Our daily papers are now discussing fitting celebrations ct peace. Is the time not just as appropriate and opportune to discuss fitting receptions to the men to whom we owe that peace > 'One blushes with shame to read 111 today's cables a description of Australia s reception to her • Ansae heroes. On whom can we lay the blame ot the unspontaneous receptions given Jo our men? Pei'haps the general public should take their fair share for sitting down quietly and allowing the injustice to continue, though we know the difficulty of consistently butting against a brick wall of red tape and officialism in any effort to break down barriers. Why should not the due homa(rc be paid . J Australia thinks liei mon worth it. Does New Zealand appreciate her men the less ? It don t think so. Give the public a chance and they will extend a welcome worthy of the "name, though not ''necessarily tnkin;<- more t'lian live or ten mimites. Through the. living we can pay our tribute to those fallen heroes who are now beyond earthly gratitude or appreciation. Let us then redeem ourselves ore it is too late to make that tribute . ™n, « b *.. |IEJItT THE ORDER OP THE BBMSI EMPIRE Sir,—The letter signed "Palman qui meruit ferat," which appeared in The Dominion, of Thursday, expresses the sentiment of a great many peoplo up and down New Zealand who are in close touch with war work. The feeling is widespread that under recont conditions membership in tho Order of the British Empire has lost its lustre, and that discrimination and favour have robbsd it of that .valve which ought to attach to tho King's (God bless him!) recognition of individual merit. In our town everybody was pleased when tho magnificent work of our Mayoress was considered worthy of the conferment of the M.8.E., and that lady herself gracefully acknowledged it as a tribute paid to her as 'tho""official head of a corps of willing helpers. Now folks are wondering why the same distinction has been given to another lady (of means), whose continuous efforts have been most laudable, but not one whit more so than those of several others. Some or the latter have (lone wonders at tho cost cf much pevsoml sacrifice. The conviction prevails that there has been influence at, work to bring about this latter award, and the consequence is dissatisfaction all round. Let us hope that we have now seen the last of these conferments. -T am, etc., ' SINE INVIDIA. New Plymouth, October 18,