Correspondence.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1084, 9 March 1883, Page 3

Correspondence.

,«» nnuas'j na a*m sbm -• mvm ■■ We do not hold ourselves responsible for the opinio express by our correspondents. ".soiij to slum# ott) no *}<ihq4oo'i i TO THE EDITOR. Sir. In justice to Mr Milne, to the causa of missions, anil to the pit olio, your graph in last weeks issue requires a won! of correction. Your remarks are totally at variance with the whole tone and spirit of Milne’s address, for they make it appear as if he were disparaging the faith of our Homan Catholic fellow Christiana, which he never did, and did not, intend to do. Had you given an account of the reverend gentleman’s really interesting lecture on these Islands and their missions, instead of fixing upon one small point incidentally alluded to by him, it woul' have been letter. I agree with you that such dangerous subjects are only calculated to stir up religious animosities, which are much better kept out of any community. Mr Milne did not say that the Roman Catholic priests kill the natives of these Islands, as your correspondent has boldly and unblushingly and erroneously stated. Theio a'e no Roman Catholic priests on the New Her!ride's group where Mr Milne and his fellow labourers are—not one. The persecution to which he alluded, took place on the Loyalty slauds, and regarding it he j says “ ft took place in Louis Napoleon’s time, and did not cease until the British Lion began to growl, when the Emperor re*called the commandant, and sent another more liberal in his stead.” The allusion, by Mr Milne, to this persecution was only incidental and was merely used as one reason, amongst others, ro show that the British Government should assume the '• protectorate of the New Hebrides. Unfortunately, it is too true and too publicly known, that such persecutions did take place, especially on the Loyalty Islands. But it is not necessary here to enter into details regarding the matter. At the same time, even on the ground--'! humanity, prudence, and toleration,; it, is hut right that all efforts should be made to prevent a recurrence of similar event's. Tt is well known that the French are endeavouring to obtain a tooting on the New Hebrides, and there is a prevalent and well grounded fear that their possession of these islands would not be favourable to the missions there, upon which so milch money and labour have been expen led dnring-the last- twenty-five, years ; and,, as in the course of time, there will no doubt be intimati commercial relations' between New Zealand and these islands, it wOufd he better for traders, natives, and missions, that they should all enj >y the liberty'that flows from British protection. -I am quite sure that neither Mr Milne nor, the Church to which he belongs, has any desire to disparage the faith of any other-denomination whatsoever. I have some acquaintance wich our Roman C aliolio fellow citizens in this district, and entertain groat respect for them ; and I often admire their devotion to their religious duties, and I am also of opinion that they would like to see even the Christian inhabitants of these islands enj >ying and granting to one another that same blessed freedom and toleration which we all enjoy side by side in this free land of New Zealand. If we cannot all be of the same faith, let us agree to differ helping each other as much as we can in every good word and work. \ on do not speak correctly of Sir Arthur Gordon when you try to make it appear that he is unfavourable to missions. But even if it were true that he had mysterious opinions on this point, which coincide with yours, lot mo tell you, sir, we have a higher authority than Sir Arthur Gordon, or even than the Editor of the Ddnstan Times, who commands us to preach the gospel to every creature, and especially to the heathen. Regarding your remarks on this point, Mr Milne says,—“ 1 know something of the views of Sir Arthur Gordon on missions, and they are very favourable to missions, as any one knows who has read his speech at the May meetings in Exeter Hall, London, two or three years ago, in which ho made special reference to the good done by the Wesleyan Missionaries who occupy Fiji as their field of labor. I have heard a number express their gratification at having heard Mr Milne’s simple unvarnished and touching story of these islands and their missions, and I don’t think you would willingly seek to prejudice so noble a work iu the eyes of the public.— yours, etc-, John Lothian. The Manse, Alexandra. DIRT AND DISEASE. TO THE EDITOR, Sib, —About three years ago the heart of civilized humanity were sickened at the recital of the sufferings an-1 horrors of the plague and pestilent stricken inhabitants o of some of the fairest cities of South America. Excited and pained as the worlds sympa hies were, little help could be afforded, and the wretched citizens had to drink to the very dregs the cup their own hands had filled and presented to their own lips. Eceut news from Europe again convey intelligence that the dread cholera demon has fastened his deadly fangs upon some cities of Southern Russia, and that tens of thousands of their inhabitants have been, and perhaps are being, carried off by its pestilential breath. It is not, however, necessary - to quote the experion :es of foreign oomrmuiiitiea where pestilence-has wrought such deadly havoc araongsts its people, nor is it neoessaiy to allude to those more densely po- u filed cities and towns of Great Britain with whose history we are perhaps more fam linr, and whose experience at' some time has been'as painful as those already named, to point to the fact that their experience in this souse has arisen solely from either an entire or comparative disregard to propel hygi-nio laws. Whether the disregard to these laws arise from indifference or mercenary motives, _ or from apathy, which from some strange cause seems to exist, in more or less degree, in nearly all. it not quite all, communities largo and small, the worlds experience teach ns that soone*- 01 later (and it is invariably sooner) 1 epidemic disease in some malignant form orotuer, exact both upon purse, health, and life, penalties whose value is tenfold greater ir kind and degree that would have bean th< cost of providing and administering propel sanitary measures To come nearer home Some few years ago the sanitary condition of the neighbouring town were in a most de pb.rahlo state, and that slate was brough about in manner stated ; hut what ai enormous price was afterwards exacted fo firmer indifference, apathv, or ignorance and disregard to health laws, and that prici consisting not only of money, hut of sorrow pain, tears, health, and human life ; am yet even in this place, nothwithstandiiij this knowledge, similar, if not mor dangerous, conditions exist. Is it not a reasonable conclusion that fron these conditions ohr recent and present sick ness has arisen ; and is it not equal! reasonable to expect that the present sick ness and disease (and they are of an alarm ing character) will in all probability prov to be but a prelude to a Yfiore terrible cpi detnio to follow'oil shortly, unless the whol body of residents promptly resort to remodi! measures? Surely something can be done t correct the condition of things which ar only too well known to exist,- and an unite and successful effort made to turn aside th

grim death visaged destroyer so plainly soon in the state of mir ryater chaiinels and water vessels, and whose fever-pointed finger is shaking in every leaf which overha g.r ouil houses, and from which is distilled the poisonous and pestiferous exhalations that C'm'stAhtly.aiisj; fi-bjn |ueb When Surrounded by conditions of so dangerous a character. As to the alarming state of conditions it may suffice to refer to one sing e tact, i.e , that it is questionable whether there is a pint of water in the whole town, whether in open race or rain water tubs and tanks, lit for human consumption. If submitted to chemical analysis, I would not bo surprised to find that the rain water caught from roofs of houses overhung by tiees, to he more heavily charged with deleterious matter than the water running in the side gutters —filthy as it is.—l am etc., Hyoiu.vjj.