Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 496, 27 October 1928, Page 8

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

THE COUNTRY PARITY Sir, — We are being told that there is no difference between the platforms of the Country Party and their own platforms by each of the other political parties. That means all platforms are alike. The Country Party offers definite solutions of the Liquor, Bible in Schools and Customs tariff questions. Will the other parties accept the Country Party planks on such questions? I am afraid not. A. E. ROBINSON. WAIKATO STEEPLECHASE Sir, About that steeplechase at Te Rapa, for hacks and qualified hunters. It is plain to anyone that qualified hunters were all eligible for this race. Remember the occasion when R. Hannon’s horses were first and second, and were disqualified from the stake, although the dividend was paid on them. On that occasion an official of the club agreed tl\it both horses would be entitled to apprentices’ allowances. This before the race. Why not get some business or legal person to draw up rules for racing? At present nobody knows the rules. It is certainly unfair to owners to win races and not receive the stake, not to mention the “dollar punters.” COMMON SENSE AND JUSTICE. SUNDAY ENTERTAINMENT Sir. As the lecturer responsible for the majority of Mr. W. T. Nutting’s popular Sunday lectures, which have been rejected by the council, I would like to add my testimony to that of “Nemo” and others. I am almost daily asked by strangers to myself when the lectures are recommencing. Our audience consisted of some of the highestplaced citizens in Auckland. The City Council would probably receive a surprise—should a petition be set in motion for a renewal of the Sunday League’s activities —at the well-known signatures that would be found on it. Wholesome, intellectual, dignified, evenings such as I can honestly say these were, have an uplifting effect surely? There is a large section of the public which would welcome the Sunday League back again. If some of the enlightened councillors could visit “effete” London, possibly their ideas might assist to suppress the Pleasant Sunday Afternoon movement (P.S.A.), where, at a nominal charge, one may hear the greatest artists of the day. E. HEADLAM GREEN IIOW, MILFORD’S PIRATE SHIP Sir, In your issue of October 23 is printed an article concerning the attitude adopted by the Auckland branch of the National Council of Women in regard to the proposed pirate ship, tea rooms and dance floor at Milford. To anticipate a venture of this kind with a flat statement that “it would have a demoralising influence on the young folk of the community” without qualifying the charge is grossly unfair and not in accord with the traditions of fair play. To condemn anyone or anything without knowledge whatever of its nature or of the personnel behind it is to the thinking mind an ungraceful

Such a statement without qualification is tantamount to a wholesale condemnation of swimming as being demoralising or of dancing as similarly demoralising under some conditions, and by the same token it would be just as fair to condemn Sunday School picnics, the city parks and movie theatres. It is all a question of control and those who know something of the personnel behind the Milford Amusements, Limited, will dismiss unfounded worries of sinister influences from their minds. The directorate itself stands for and will insist upon whole hearted surveillance and control and has already laid down emphatic rules for guidance in such matters. Misunderstanding and abuse of the word “cabaret” seems to have contributed something to the misapprehension behind the statement to which we refer. Our friend Webster says, “cabaret —a place of refreshment where dancing and singing are provided.” That seems to be quite harmless and brings us back to our contention that it is a question of control—which responsibility is fully appreciated by those concerned. The expressed aim of those responsible for the enterprise is for a clean wholesome place of entertainment where any one would feel at home and where one would feel safe in sending one’s son or escorted daughter. IPSE DIXIT. PUBLICITY—THE GREAT DETERRENT Sir, In view of the attitude taken up by Mr. F. K. Hunt yesterday, with regard to the value of publicity as a deterrent from crime, it is interesting to conjecture what substitute the magistracy would offer if the newspapers suddenly decided not to publish any names. It is, of course, unlikely. Incidentally Mr. Hunt’s remarks cannot but call to mind some unfortunate cases of suppression by other magistrates in Auckland. It is also of interest to note how the divorce figures in Britain are soaring since a prudish and shortsighted Parliament forbade the publication of divorce reports. ANGUS M. THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS Your correspondent, “A.E.C.,” writes courteously in criticism of my remarks in the Grange Road pulpit on the Bible .in schools question. One quite appreciates the fear which most probably lies behind ‘A.E.C.’s” letter that some unfair use may be made of Bible teaching in the way of proselytism. When the great educational struggle was raging in England, at the beginning of this century, many of us studied afresh the dangers of clerical and Church interference with our educational systems. However, on mature consideration, one is forced to the conclusion tl*at to exclude this great book from the school curriculum is to rob cruelly the people of their rights. There is truth in Professor Lawson’s statement made some months ago: “If we were to become a nation of Atheists we could not afford to neglect in our education a Book which has had more influence on Western civilisation than all other books put together." I stand, therefore, not for education —free, secular and compulsory—but (Continued in Next Column)

for education—free, compulsory and unsectarian. The State usurps the function of the Church when it goes beyond its province and enters a domain where opinions are at irreconcilable variance. But the history in the Bible is as truly history as any other, and our children should not be - prived of it. As a people we need the emphasis of the daily school upon those parts of the Bible where all Christians agree and remember this., there is a conscience clause for Jews, Atheists or others. On the question of morality, all sects are one, but the moment such it question as “What must I do to be saved?” is put forth, there comes a shower of conflicting responses. Why not have a text-book drawn from the Bible dealing exclusively with its history, biography, poetry and morals. The teaching of the State can cease there. If the nation could afford to lost' “the power of the Bible upon our language, our literature and our national life.” it would be easy to take “A.E.C.’s” line of reasoning, but the difficulty of a satisfactory solution should not make anyone despair. Such a solution is found, in our opinion, in the following plan: Selections from the Bible in ordinary school hours. These selections to be chosen to suit the inexperience and incapacity of the children. Thebe should supply an ethical and religious impulse, but on no account should favour or develop theological or sectarian bias. Such an exclusively ethical and religious use of the Bible is all th;it comes within the province of thn S'tate. And this should be given by the ordinary teacher in the school. Thobjection is sometimes made that in our national school system teachers may be incapable of winning and re taining the attention, reverence and devotion of the children during the brief period allotted to religious exercises. Well, the remedy is with us. Most young New Zealand men and women could do so, and their hold upon the children and the tone and moral of their classes would be wonderfully strengthened thereby. A. S. WILSON Mt. Eden. 26.10.28.

NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS W.S.—We consider this subject has been well aired now. No purpose can be served by reopening the question.—Ed., The Sun. DAY.—Your letter is interesting, but you have not sent your name and address. If you will do so your letter will appear over your initials. —Ed., The Sun.