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Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1923, Page 2

Till.UP is a good deal of discussion going on in British communities ot late about Sunday ob.-ei vain e. It wa- cabled from Sydney recently ihut Sunday t ow Is were being veto-d by sonic clubs out of respect, for tin; day. A; ropes of this -iil'joct a Sydn.-y paper r- marks that Ai i hliishop W’light. in his monthly u tter in the "Diocesan Magazine" is sued this month, urges greater i are on. the part e.: • hurrhjvople to safeguard their Sundays. “Sunday,” he writes, "is the blessed '.lay o! privilege given of Cod in which, v.e enn find training and rest for our spirit, in the midst of a changeful world. \ Sunday ■. iewctl in t his light, can never be a tedious day. But the Sunday '■tirelessly .spent is very often the cause of a tedious week." The increasing passion for amusement, and the tendency to turn Sunday into a day lor sports and picnics, is the subject ol continent in same week's ''Methodist,' which says it i, becoming difficult for the Churches to carry on their work and enlist the interest and attention of the people. “It cannot,", the N.S. AY. ‘'.Methodist" remarks, "he held that the character of tip, amusements ut the day is refining or elevating. We are glad to think that the coarseand objectionable features current in some countries are not specially present in Australia, and that the standard here is at least decently high. But he it what it may. the absorption of so much thought in mere pastime is prejudicial to that sobriety and spirituality of mind which the Churches live to inculcate and promote. Considering the set- of the times and th.~ forces against which they have to contend, it- must ho admitted that the Churches maintain their witness and their work with a commendable amount of courage and success. But they should aim at doing hotter, and at creatingtSi higher degree of appreciation for good tilings in all classes of society."

A pueksman with a wide European experience has been writing a book on bis continental impressions, and the infoi - mation afforded, throws some interesting light on topical matters. In, Baris, file power of the Press is proverbial: the newspapers literally hold public opinion in' the hollow of their hand Mr (Ireenwall, the writer, shows how it is done. Polities are the breath of life to the Parisian, who always takes at least three papers. In the morning lie buys what is called a. “dounial dTuformation," which gives him the news. He also buys n journal which ! give* "views not news'', and expounds his own political doctrines. In the evening he buys a third paper. Some of these journals have a circulation of almost two millions daily. But it is a mystery how some of the political sheets survive. They would not if the Parisian were less ardent a politician. Moreover, while lie may be sceptical in regard to news, ho accepts' the views unqiiestioiiingly. Consequently when he is told that- Mr l.leyd (leorgo is a villain, that settles it. Mr I,lovrl George is a villain! Mr (Ireenwall gives an interesting glimpse of war time, Switzerland with its “listening posts," and its battalions of agents of every nationality who picked up “intelligence-" and deliberately spread abroad false reports. And finally we are taken to the Near East during the crisis last year. Mr (Ireenwall was in Ifedongatch when the Greek refugees liegnn to pour in from Adrianople, and a depressing spectacle it was. There was absolutely no organisation. Transport bad broken down: the Greek authorities completely lost their heads: all wns demoralisation and confusion. Fortunately a British officer, Captain Beirne. of the North Staffs Regiment, happened to be in Dedeagatch. and lie tixik a hand in the business. He knew nothing about railway transport: he was. in fact, a memlier of the Army Educational Corps. But he straightened out the tangle, and undoubtedly saved many thousands of fugitives from an untimely end. A touch of humour was provided by Beirne’s orderlies. two spruce young Tommies, the only shaven men in the town, apart from theit captain. The Greeks apparently took them for officers of high rank, for whenever they entered a cafe, colourU and

majors would rise as one man, ami, clicking their heels, Salute smartly.