Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 383, 18 June 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say

(To the Editor.)

ABOUT STATUES Sir, — In reference to “No Puritan’s” letter of June 14, in which he states that there is something unclean in nude statuary. To me there is something much more unclean in the state of mind which can suggest such a thing. Statues of the human figure invariably represent physical perfection and are an object lesson and an adornment. In every famous city in the world, statues of the nude are among the gems of the various art collectors. All those imbued with a true sense of the artistic will regret that such a city as Auckland, filled with promising talent, should be retarded by such provincial minds. Those who have seen the art of the Old World will realise that we are unnecessarily stinting our cultural growth through fear of an imaginary evil. HONI SOIT QUI MAD Y PENSE. THAT £SOO Sir, — I cannot w T aste more time on the 1.8.5. A. There is no doubt the Bible contains and maintains what they deny. I was shocked at the ignorance displayed in some of the letters. One •writer states that the original Greek was not punctuated, and then calmly proceeds to punctuate the passage. As a final chance I suggest: 1. That the 1.8.5. A. appoint three magistrates in New Zealand to consider the evidence. 2. That it select one Judge of the Supreme Court of New Zealand to consider the evidence submitted and the statements accompanying such evidence. 3. That it appoint any one professor of Law in any one university of New Zealand. 4. That it refer the evidence for and against to the Dean of the Faculty of Law, Oxford University, England. 6. That pending a decision it deposit the £SOO with the Mayor of Auckland to be given according to the verdict. It is a simple case of the law of evidence. INQUIRER. THE SAILORS’ HOME Sir, — I read with interest in Thursday night s issue of The Sun a report of the work of the Auckland Sailors’ Home for the past year. But there was one paragraph which I feel calls for a little explanation:— The Council of the Home has cause to complain that it is not receiving the support from the churches of Auckland. It has not been possible to make improvements to the Mission Hall or even to keep up the salary of the Missioner. From this it -would be inferred that the council of the Sailors’ Home had to find the salary of the missioner and that through lack of funds from the churches it had been impossible to make improvements to the mission hall. Now, that is exactly the reverse of what the position really is. The maintenance of the mission hall is under the control of the council of the Sailors’ Home, and the matter of finding the salary of the missioner is not

a burden on the council of the home, but a board comprising ministers, laymen and other workers appointed by the Ministers’ Association of the churches of Auckland is responsible in this respect. The report tends to create a false impression in the minds of many citizens that by making donations to the Sailors’ Home they are helping on the work of the Sailors’ Mission. The mission is a separate work run in conjunction with the Sailors’ Home, but at the same time entirely separate, being controlled by a separate board of management. When forwarding donations for the mission work they should be addressed to the missioner or the hon. secretary to the board. Mr. R. Bradley. High St., city. E. T. GLADDING, Parnell. CAUSE FOR THANKSGIVING Sir, The manner in which the All Blacks recovered their prestige at Johannesburg and avenged their previous defeat by the Transvaal is surely cause for rejoicing, even for a Sabbath Day of national thanksgiving. Their return to conquering form will allay popular panic and compose politics. It has been made very clear that the Prime Minister was much perturbed over the All Blacks’ initial losses, and could not give all his mind to the serious affairs of State. I recall a personal experience of anxiety. My brother was once desperately ill in Durban and 1, with other relatives, spent a fair sum of hard-earned money on cablegrams. In due time reassuring news came about his condition. Later, he wrote in reference to his fight with double pneumonia, and caused us much chagrin by mentioning that, while he appreciated the inquiries about his health, he could not help regretting that we did not take it for granted that he was in good hands at the hospital, and had sent the £9 spent on panicky cables to help him through convalescence. Of course, the Prime Minister does not need to worry about, the cost of cabling sympathy, but the principle as to panic is very much the same. Now that the All Blacks are again conquering heroes, the Government, Parliament and people of New Zealand may now give heed to the real busines of the country. SURE OF THE ALL BLACKS.' RESTAURANT CARS Sir, — ’ As one who travels frequently on the Limited express, permit me to voice my satisfaction at the announcement in Saturday’s Sun that the Railway Department would place in commission early next year restaurant cars for the use of its passengers. At last we return to civilisation. Years ago we had dining cars on the trains and very comfortable they were. Since they were taken off we have had to take part in bun rushes at certain stations. The blackguard rush for a meal at some of these out-of-the-way villages would be screamingly funny it it were not so annoying to those who seek a meal in peace. And the service at these dining

rooms, too, reminds one of an ho ~ the backblocks of Australia an . one who lias experienced the hotel life in the Never-Never ™ predate the force of that stat The restaurant car, with clean and shining silver and good B * ea T’g]do much to place the New Zealand r way service on the map so far as seas visitors (who expect th*» \j e w ment) are concerned. As for tn * Zealand travelling public (tor the railways have to be t> n tD it will feel relieved beyond that at least some attention is to to “creature comforts.” —,-ar. 5.000-MILES-A-YEA*