Citizens Say-

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 284, 21 February 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say-

(To the Editor.)

MELANESIAN MISSION Sir,— For many years past it has been the custom of New Zealanders to send by the “Southern Cross” a tuck box to every white worker in the Melanesian Mission. Most people have a fairly good idea of the hardships and loneliness of life in this particular mission and of the poor pay attached to it. The tuck boxes contain medical comforts and a few home delicacies which have to be specially manufactured to withstand the tricks of climate. The “Southern Cress” sails on May 1 and on behalf of the Melanesian Mission I ask sympathisers to send their contributions as soon as possible and I can assure them that such money will be judiciously expended for a gTateful body of men and women. A. KATE CRUItKSHAXK, Hon. Secretary. WATER SHORTAGE Sir, — In view of the additional restrictions on the use of water from the city’s depleted reservoirs; in view further of the danger of drinking water drawn from wells, could not an appeal be made to cordial and even beer manufacturers to provide their pleasant beverages as temporary substitutes for plain tap-water? Millions of gallons of water have been bottled by beer and cordial makers, and if these wealthy people decided to reduce the preposterous prices for their beverages, thousands of citizens would slake their thirst with pale ale and paler lemonade and thus help conserve the dam water. Failing a reduction in beverage rates, perhaps the churches will get over their doubting Thomas attitude and exercise the faith that is left in them by praying for rain. The spoilt sporting crowd has had more than a generous innings. DROTJGHT. WATER AND PUBLIC MEN

Sir. —• In delaying my reply to Mr. Allum’s rejoinder to my letter of last month on the water supply, I have purposely waited to see if climate and circumstances themselves would not disprove his remarks—and they undoubtedly have done so already. Mr. Allum’s rejoinder was: “As the Government commissioners had given their approval of the council’s water scheme, it was merely conceit that prompted laymen to make hostile criticisms.” As over a month has now elapsed and we are now getting about half our drinking water from the Western Springs, next i Jna zoo, perhaps even Mr. Allum doubts

the finding of the Government commission on his water policy. The council itself must sooner or later admit that wasting millions damming up gullies will never suffice for the needs of a big growing city, and it is time these old-fashioned ideas were jettisoned. The Health Department has officially warned citizens of the danger of typhoid when drinking from wells around the city and asserts that they are likely to be contaminated from the effluents from septic tanks. If the council persists in maintaining its stubborn idea that gully water will suffice for the needs of a big city, the sooner the Government comes into the picture the better—and if it does not come in quickly much harm may be done.

It Is quite a puzzle to know what reason the Government has in neglecting to take charge of the water supply of the province, setting the unemployed on a job that is urgently needed by city, suburbs and inland towns—a never-failing water supply from Taupo and the National Park. HAROLD SCHMIDT.

BIRTH CONTROL Sir, — The Rev. Elliott’s outcry against birth control cuts no ice at all. The gentleman, like so many others, fails to differentiate between what is constructive birth control, on the one hand, and birth destruction on the other. Any unbiased student of the subject knows very well that the birth control advocates are giving to young people the adequate knowledge of responsible parenthood. How many hopeless tragedies are brought about by leaving this question to blind unreasoning instinct?

Birth control teaches the sacred responsibilty of parenthood, and advocates that no innocent child shall be conceived without the necessary knowledge of their responsibility being possessed by the parents. Yet while we teach youth all sorts and kinds of trades, the greatest calling of all, that of parenthood, is the most abused and neglected. Sanctimonious prudery has always been allowed to parade as “morality.” The only way to cure it is by frank and wholesome education. HUMANIST

THE CHURCH AND THE BIBLE Sir,— A well-known churchman, Canon James, has dismissed the Book of Genesis as an interesting fairy' tale. In this he is merely following the exampie ol more famous clerics elsewhere. That these outspoken gentlemen are not liable to be burned at the stake affords some proof that the world really does progress, however slowly. But the Rev. W. E. Lush now comes

on the scene and complicates matter* somewhat. He says: “Christianity » founded upon the Person of Christ; quite untouched in its reality by any interpretation of the first few chapter* of Genesis. It can get on without that book. Human life begins in childhood in innocence.” , Has he realised the implication* » his declaration? If Genesis be a tale, then man never fell and there » no such thing as original sin. If be so. then there was no need for the Crucifixion and the Resurrection- -And if these were unnecessary, where is the foundation cf the Christian churdjesIt seems that the utterances of the reverend gentlemen call for aii authoritative statement from the bishop* as to what are the essentials upo» which rest the churches of to-day. Otherwise, how can one be surprise* that the educated conscience of to-d*j

does not permit its possessors to eh' courage the exponents of a KO*P® which they themselves are anntxauy paring away ? From another point of view, heresies from the cloth provoke quiry. It is claimed that the Bible** an inspired book. If so, then everything in it must be true. If Gan* James and Mr. Lush declare that som tilings in it are not true, then it is no inspired. If it is not inspirec, ano one of its cardinal stories is Q isr ; by orthodoxy as a fairy-tale, one tna> wonder how many other such storw are not also fairy tales. The present attitude of the cburoj*r* appears to be. “We admit that G ' 2 *l is a fairy-tale, and therefore aaxn that the Bible is not an inspired pop*' but we ask you to believe in the rection, for without it there woi:i<* no Christianity.” Both the regular church-goer the student of religion would be interested to hear what comment be made upon that summary, 1 most eminent local authorities, may in this manner indicate rock the storm-tossed rouls of our ® eratlon may cling. PRIMITIVE CHRISTIAN.