Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 542, 20 December 1928, Page 12

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT Sir, Will “Charity” point out where I did not word my letter correctly? I have nothing to work on, in his reply. When a man is sentenced to death he has three weeks to live before he is hanged. “Charity” says a man turns to God because of the fear of his approaching death. Some men, possibly, not all. We read of the “laughing murderer who smiled to the last.” What about a case like that? This is my last letter on this subject, but I will discuss the Bible with “Charity” in. private at any time. J. NICHOLSON. DEFENCE OF YOUTH Sir, — So our affable old friend (I hazard the guess), Jasper Pontifex, thinks we would be happier if we reverted from the freedom of to-day to Victorian standards. All I say is, let Jasper have it on his own. The only things he has to offer us is books, conversation, and Handel and Beethoven. I’ll be quite candid when I say I would sooner have Irving Berlin than that old bore Handel. As for conversation, I think there is now a much more free exchange of bright ideas than was ever possible in Victorian days, when half the really important subjects were taboo. Young people are better educated now, and more liberal in their ideas. Dancing—l’d like to know what’s wrong with a night or two at cabarets. A fig for you, Jasper—your type should never have lived past 1870. SMART ALICK. RAIMA AT HAMILTON Sir. — 1 would like to make a few remarks on the running of Raima at Hamilton and at the same time would like to congratulate your trotting reporter on the fairness with which he alluded to the incident. The Sun report was and a decided contrast to the attitude adopted by one writer who attempted to make the public believe that all was not square with Raima's running. Had the writer taken the trouble to inquire after the race why the horse failed over the last furlong (as did your reporter) he could have given the public the correct facts Raima struck himself badly after entering the straight, and thereby lost any chance he had of getting a place. Had there been any cause for suspicion the authorities would have taken up the question. And had such been the case I am sure your trotting writer would have had something to say on the subject. It may be, sir, that there was something like that in his mind when he approached me after the race to inquire what went wrong with Raima. That the reply was satisfactory was evident from the reference “Abaydos” made subsequently to Raima’s running. As a matter of fact I backed my horse solidly in the race in question and can produce ample proof to substantiate my statement if

necessary, but I think my long association with the sport in the Dominion and also in Auckland will be sufficient guarantee that I am honest in my dealings even if my “handling of the horse” was not convincing to some critics. I might say, Mr. Editor, that the trainers generally appreciate the assistance they get from the Press and the main body of trotting writers. They recognise that good and fair criticism is helpful to them and to the sport, and in this respect I must state that since coming to Auckland with my horses I have heard nothing but flattering remarks on the fairness of The Sun in its sporting criticism. Personally I can subscribe to this opinion. W. HEAD. “IN THE BEGINNING” Sir, To deal extensively with this subject now being discussed bv Mr. Rimmer and “A.E.C.” would require columns of space which you cannot spare. Please let me say a little, + - Error . s which still exist in translation might well explain some aiSerences of opinion respecting some Scriptural matters. But, I am preFn a £ e< L t °.S CCe ! >t - our Ea s‘ ish renderinto of the first two chapters of nietf SiS ’ and to lake tile very incomverslon therein contained of the as composed of extracts culled by Moses from very much earlier writings (“The Story of the Ages,” V lan l ! f< ?, st l y inspired. And, by the .YJ’,,)’ 1 ~K haU very glad indeed if tF y ,~ r , y riders can tell me where 1,0 , nd m N e w Zealand any other portions of those earlier writings. ’ — and Tom Payne—l had regarded these earliest chapters of thrFiCTtf T as hopelessly incredible, de?F,fl h J recognised something wonln he® order of events stated, ? d h ° ped th ,° apparently contradiccal t'rmh y “rn ht contain s °me allegorise 1 truth. In my ignorance, I should have been rather tempted to endorse now 1 m n a rf ortU K nat ?i- statements as those . by Bls hop Barnes. The between the Church and so®.cl.en<sf has ebbed and flowed, have at times wavered. S al ' 0 00 ler heads have gone on hoping for an ultimate reconciliation—for an agreement that is inevitable. If I Sot bringing this about, I shaU not have lived in vain. It was nnt tlie'aw ag ° that recognition SI la 'v Of gravitation—-not thoroughly F£fa rS \°° d r? r always unerringly applied by Newton himself—affected science to its foundation. Other surprises must come. We have only to consider such things as life and electricity to realise how colossal is our OuF fun . da mental natural laws. Our vaunted science is still in its in“AeY^ to ° youn S to speak. A.ia.o. may remember that last year Ij? r f dlcted the day—even Ye hourfor ctn island to rise out of the sea Tonsa r Such a successful pre/.not to mention others—surely 2rt??« ed «? 01 5* e fresh knowledge of the S i - wor kings and history and of wln ra tb^t VS fundamentally new to us. flood u S £ L . me knowledge throws a science U T ? ht up ° n all branches of science. It reveals to us the origin patpi ! e '' und purpose of methodical or kings throughout creation. It

brings the whole story of the evolutin of our solar system within our ken. The task of following out the earths history is comparatively simple and intensely fascinating al through. But few have both leisure and ability to trace it out for themselves. Thus, it has been my desire to produce moving picture illustrating the earth’s history throughout a complete cycle of its existence—from its “beginning” to its “end.” This is not an easy But, it can be done, truthfuly and realistically; and it is likely to be done soon. It will show what in the whole amazing history amazed me most: that the all-too-scanty details given in the Genesis account of the creation are not only given in proper order, but.that they are all in agreement, and all “terally *~ue. It can even be shown now and why “the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters,” imbuir.-' our planet with the first principles or life. Apparently the Biblical words which the undeveloped human mind finds :t most difficult to understand are the first three—“ln the beginning. rossibly Mr. Thornhill may yet find occasion to reverse his statement respect ing priority of Scripture study. fredk. r. FIELD.