Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 946, 12 April 1930, Page 8

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor,)

THE LAST OF THE MORIORfS Sir,— I have noticed in your columns some discussion about the relative importance of the Ngapuhi and Waikato dialects. I wonder if any of your correspondents could inform me what dialect the Morioris used when they had their headquarters in New Zealand. And does Tami Solomon, the last of the Moriori race, who lives in the Chathams, speak a Maori dialect when he relapses into his native tongue or does he speak a separate Moriori language? And if so, has any record been made of the Moriori tongue? It seems to me that quite an amount of interesting lore must be stored in the ‘ mind of Mr. Solomon. Is any effort being made to record his memories of the race whence he sprang and of which he is the last member in the world? I would like to hear what the Akarana Association thinks of the suggestion implied in my last question. WAIT AN GT. TOO MUCH FOOD Sir, — There has been much discussion lately on the subject of lavish afternoon teas and I notice that a definite movement has been started to effect simpler afternoon “meals.” Personally, I would run a mile rather than eat afternoon tea, which spoils one’s appetite for dinner and leaves one in a state of deep remorse. But, for my sins, I am occasionally compelled to watch my wife at some function or other. After having tried three or four savoury sandwiches, she will take a fat slice of cake stuffed with some rich liqueur filling and follow this up with a brandy-snap filled with cream In between these “courses” she will peck at an asparagus roll and eat a luscious chocolate or two. The conversation usually runs on these lines--1 “And, my dear, since I've started* on the one-liquid-day-a-week system I've lost pounds” (another bite at the liqueur cake) "and I can assure you ‘ that a day a week on soup alone will nr ]-* you slender in less than a month ” (she reaches for an olive.) Ye) sir it is high time that simplicity v., \ ir.troi duced at afternoon get-togethers Prom the point of view of liea'tif it should be rigorously enforced. PAINED. MUSIC WEEK Sir.— ! A : t the meeting held on Tuesday to ; make preliminary arrangements for ! the holding of a .Music Week throughout the Dominion, the suggestion was 1 made that all the programmes given should be broadcast for the benefit of

the country people. Although the persons who made this suggestion were no doubt actuated by the best motives, they were surely forgetting that one of the prime objects of Music VV eek is to try and encourage people to go to concerts. What is wanted during Music Week is packed halls, not an unseen army of armchair critics. _ To be really consistent with the object in view, every endeavour will have to be made to g-et the people to the concert halls. They must not be encouraged to stay awav. However, for the benefit of sick people, the committee might be able to see its way clear to broadcast one or two programmes, as suggested by Hr. S. K \. Phillips, possibly the afternoon activities. If this could be done without injury to the cause, I am sure the musicians would favourably consider it, but the broadcasting of all programmes is obviously impossible. CONCERTGOER.

PROTECTING SEA-BIRDS Sir,— 1 'y a , s surprised to read in a letter Protect Sea-Birds?” S* at ~ r - J -. P- Bennett, Inspector of Sea Fisheries, advocates, by infare“e ' destruction of sea-birds. His contention is that a great economic loss is caused by the birds eating spawn and small fish. I cannot a"vpi l With him in cither case. The™ of fisn are subjected to the ravages of countless attackers, the majority tur.u.' h !? h ?, re ln the . sea itself though their numbers are increased by the To counter these constant f.”? inevitable attacks Nature has provided fisn with a fecundity far greater tn an is necessary to maintain their Thnatb. nntfef protected conditions. 1 Sf, toU taken by birds is merely ? “ on^ l , segment in Nature's struc--^T. qulte unnecessary for Mr. K either to worry or thirst for •no blood of birds. GREY FEATHER.

NEW ZEALAND LITERATURE Sir,— a he articie in Tha Sun on New Z&a mam- “bwh! 1 ? mU3t have interested vw 1 ? v 1 agreed that the New merit n a 1 tklS - f , 6W as the -' *re. show n&SiS; Ki S ngd 0 o t m Pa a S nd U ?he ti Uniti2 States. It seems that a true New v Z land novel has vet trv --te" of th^^asM^: literary fiefq° n of n ° Y eloprnem of our for the New* Zealand ,? PS A is earl >’ zeaiand novel to come

when the country and the people are as yet immature. There is, of course, the knowledge to comfort us that the Americans, living in a welter of magazine stories, able essays and negro works, are still -waiting for the real American novel. FEODOR.

THE MODERN CHURCH Sir,—• , Many conflicting opinions are offered by minister of religion concerning ta9 increase, < ■ decadence, of the influence of their ..cachings on modem civilisation. It is logical to assume that that influence is declining. . But why bemoan the realisation that congregations are becoming sma “fJ and interest in orthodoxy is waning? 11 is the work of the ministers to reclaim their flocks. And they cannot do that by preaching one sermon in four about the damnation of those who/la not follow their teachings. Think™* people today find no ait peal in a sen? vice which is comprised of a recital psalms, some archaic hymns written b* simple-minded sixteenth century f c *~ and a thirty-minute sermon from a tex calling for five minutes’ introspectionThough brought up in a Sunday seboo and church atmosphere since infancy. I have now lost interest in chtfrch cervices. I have no motor-car, golf or other Sabbath distraction; yet I fer to stay at home rather than to sk in a church and hear a text from to* prophecies treated as a didactic utterance. The average parson today readers but a gentle and polite modification of the fire-and-brimstone condemnations of three centuries ago./l n churches are always talking ***** moving with the times — why don’t they set about doing it? __ CHRISTIAN LIVER.