CUI BONO?

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 17 September 1880, Page 2

CUI BONO?

TO THE EDITOR OP THE OAJLVRU jfAll, Sir, —I am induced to ask you question, cui bono, in relation to tho pro. posed church parade of our volunteers. I think there is folly enough amongst m without this addition of vanity and. ostentation. If there was a military station here with regular soldiers of tli'o line a church parade would be appropriate enough. But tho volunteers are simply an amateur body composed of privato citizons, and thero can bo no good or sufli. cient reason why they Bhouid bo called upon to make themselves a public showim the day of rest. Ts it proposed that they should bo preceded on the march to church by the bagpipes ? If such a practice wero adopted, it seems a possible thing that tho excitement induced by such a novel and pleasing style of music on a Sunday might hurry on and into tho church a whole crowd of larrikins—the tag-rag and bob-tails of society. I would seriously advise that this original way of beating up for recruits to tho Gospel Army should! be tried. It is time certainly that soma steps should be taken to bring such a class into contact with some moral influeuco and probably this strange proceeding of. a church parade may accomplish what cannot be done by ordinary means, But seriously, can it bo possible that any/ clergyman will countenance any display of the " pomp and circumstance of war," protesting against and deploring the existence, as he must if consistent with his profession, of war—hideous war. I add no more, but trust the common sonao of the community will be opposed to a movement so absurd and uncalled for. I am, &c., Observer.