Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume 1, Issue 46, 17 May 1927, Page 8

Citizens Say

To the Editor.

SILK STOCKINGS

Sir, — I read in THE SUN some days ago a complaint from “Stockingette” that millions of pairs of silk stockings were being imported annually into the country, and that New Zealand contented itself with producing thick woollen stockings. I agree with him that, as silk stockings are a necessity these days, and no longer a luxury, more of them should be manufactured in the Dominion, but I think your correspondent assumes that none are being made. That, I think, is erroneous. If my memory serves me no tricks, there was a very fine display of New Zealand-made silk stockings at the Dunedin Exhibition. Perhaps someone will bear out my claim. FLAPPER.

TRAMWAY FIASCO

Sir, — For the third time now I have been one of the unfortunate victims on the Parnell-Remuera tram, committing the atrocious crime of trying to get home as a passenger, and being in possession of a 2s 2d two-section tram ticket, which naturally led me to believe I would be entitled to a seat at least, now and again. But no! Those responsible for the running of that particular tram plainly showed that if 1 could manage to “hang on by the skin of my teeth” to the protecting chain that prevents people from falling out of the corridor, I might consider myself distinctly lucky. This happened at about 10.30 o’clock last night. How people travelling regularly at the rush hours, morning and evening, put up with this sort of thing is beyond me. They say that a long-suffering public gets just the treatment it deserves, and I believe that to be true, myself included, but at least I am going to squeal now, after the third operation. The amazing thing is that conditions like these should exist in a city the size of Auckland in the year 1927. First those responsible for the tram service push the motor-buses off the streets, a most lamentable thing, then tram fares are raised, and now patrons on this line, at any rate, are treated with less consideration than SUPER-MODERN.

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

Sir, — “A.E.C.” says that it is unfortunate for my case that the Bible is the foundation book of a religion. I fail to see where the misfortune comes in, since the religion he refers to is that professed by a large majority of the inhabitants of this Dominion. Ido not understand why he should bring the Archbishop in. He has the same right to his view as I have to mine. I do not profess to hold a brief for any league or society. I write simply as a free citizen. My opponent tries to make something out of the fact that it is proposed to select only certain unknown extracts. Of course, what else could be done? The Bible is a big book to give as a whole for a children’s text book. “And worse still,” he says, “these extracts are only to be read.” If he will take the trouble to read my previous letters he will notice that I am in favour of explanation by teachers. If anything is done in the matter, the law will be made by Parliament, not by the Archbishop or any self-formed league. As I have said before, I have had

some experience in Bible teaching in denominational schools in the Old Country, and from that experience I feel quite certain that the extracts chosen would be acceptable ones, and that we could trust the teachers to explain them without undue bias. Of course, I suppose there might be some teachers who would misuse this trust, but they would do the same with Bible references which crop up in the text books of our schools as they are. If I had my way I would select those extracts only that have reference to love of the neighbour. Both my opponents have an oldfashioned prejudiced idea of the meaning of the word “religion.” My dictionary defines it as “duty to God and

His creatures.” The Bible defines it as “to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.” A great Christian -writer has said, “All religion has relation to life, and the life of religion is to do good.” Though I am in favour of explanation by teachers, I would rather have simple reading of the Bible than nothing at all. In fact, many passages could be chosen that would need no explanation at all. H.R.H.

FRUIT

Sir, — “White Fruiterer,” writing in Friday’s SUN, bewails alien competition in the fruit retailing trade, and emphasises that European fruiterers are being eliminated. A confession of inefficiency! It is time that white fruiterers woke up and recognised that the only way to secure and hold trade is by merit, and not by an appeal to patriotism. There is no gainsaying, what is obvious, that the Chinese put up an immeasurably more attractive display, and by the exercise of wonderful business initiative have strongly entrenched themselves in preferential trade locations. Instead of lamenting, the European fruiterers should study the methods of their rivals, and adopt and improve upon them if possible. It is not by price-cutting that Chinese secure trade, but by service plus quality. I agree with THE SUN’S editorial that there is too great a disparity between returns to producer and prices to consumer. The present vehicle of distribution is cumbersome and expensive in the extreme, and exacts an extortionate reward out of all proportion to services rendered. The ultimate means of bridging the gap between producer and consumer must be the 'establishment of a chain of distributing fruit shops, run by producers cooperatively- and owning their own cool stores, thus eliminating excessive intermediate charges that add nothing at all to the food value of the fruits they produce for such a meagre reward. ADAM COCKIE.

THE NEW TEMPLE AT JERUSALEM

Sir, — It may be of interest to your many readers to hear something of the projected Temple at Jerusalem. It is now almost two thousand years since the destruction of the last temple there, which was one of the seven wonders of the world. It may also be news to some of your readers to learn the Bible shows another temple would be built and that annual sacrifices would again be offered up as an atonement for sins. It is over twenty years now since news came that parts of the projected temple were finished and awaiting shipment in various places in Southern Europe. Two years ago the Rabbi in Jerusalem issued an order that members of the Cohen family, which is the priestly caste among the Jews, should be taught in the ritual of animal sacrifice. Now the British “Advent Witness” publishes a letter from Mr. Boyd, Mildmay Mission, who is working among the Jews of Egypt and Palestine, and he says: “When we were in Jerusalem recently one of the Cohens told us ‘that the Jews expected to begin their temple this year,' also that one. of their rabbis, now deceased, has left it on record that this is the year appointed.” To students of prophecy this information is of supreme importance. Should it prove correct, then the Bible student knows just where he is. For the Bible gives a great number of events that synchronise with the commencement of the daily sacrifice in Jerusalem. For instance, seven years from the commencement of the sacrifices the last battle will be fought in this world, usually called Armageddon, and it will be fought in Palestine. At the commencement Elijah, the prophet of Carmel, will return to the earth. His object is to turn the hearts of Israel to God. His advent will create worldwide interest and in many places consternation. If you had space I could give you many other events which the Bible shows are all connected with this same event. I am sure many of your readers will be interested in this news. 25. L. P. RIMMER.