Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 988, 3 June 1930, Page 8

Citizens Say—

(To the Editor.)

THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITY Sir,— Recently I received from a cousin a copy of “Auckland from the Air” issued by The Sun. These views depict most vividly the tremendous growth of the city sinc*> I left it in 1899. Tliere is no denying: that the climate and lay-out of Auckland and surroundings are wonderful, but what I yearned for when living in your otherwise fair city was trees. The barren streets remind one of mining towns where Nature affords no growth. A long walk on a summer’s day invariably results in baked feet from hot tar walks, and a headache from the pouring down of the sun’s heat. Chancing to meet friends while so suffering I would say: “With treelined streets, Auckland would be about the finest city in the world to live in.” Then, I felt that with its growth the City would take care of this, blit these views show that after all these years —3O of them —Auckland has but extensions of miles and miles of the same barren streets, softened only in beautiful Parnell. At the cost of a few shillings to each household, and a few years of time, this could be remedied. Even the flat cities of the United States are beautiful becuse of their tree's. With treelined streets like ours, with her natural advantages—a thousand times better than ours—Auckland could be made about the most beautiful city in the world. MONTAGUE WEBBER. 2441 Fullerton Ave., Detroit, U.S.A. BLACK OR WHITE? Will you kindly allow me a little space in your columns to make a few comments concerning the much discussed All Black jerseys? I endorse the remarks of your special Wellington correspondent concerning the tactlessness of Mr. Baxter, of the English team. But there is one error true New Zealanders will not forgive or forget—the necessity forced upon us to change the colour of our jerseys. Some will say that Mr. Baxter sportingly offered to field his team in white to oblige us, but this does not excuse the initial offence, for such I consider it to be. Readers will agree with me that All Black jerseys have been almost a tradition with us—even the wee fellows at school just learning to punt a football will swell with pride at the mention of the name “All Blacks.” Black has been our colour ever since we fielded our first real New Zealand team. It has carried the name of New Zealand victoriously in all parts of the British Empire. These facts were known to the British football authorities, and even

to suggest that we should change our colours savours, to me, of lack of courtesy. Let us hope it is not too late for Mr. Baxter courteously to notify the New Zealand Union that he will not insist on this change of jerseys. If it is a big thing to ask of the British team, then it is surely a far bigger thing to ask of us. We go to England and change our rules of play to oblige England. . . . We go to South Africa and agree to another change of rules. . . . Visiting teams come to New Zealand, and we still give in to oblige. . . . But for once let us be firm and stick to our jerseys. AJAX. “TIMEO DANAOS . . .” I feel I must draw your attention to the insinuations contained in “Molecule’s” two letters which have recently appeared in The Sun. In his first letter he spoke contemptuously of Mr. Field as an amateur and selftaught. In his latest letter he states that if Mr. Field’s article on earthquakes had been sound, it would have been practically impossible for the leaders of the New Zealand Institute to suppress it. This insinuates that Mr. Field’s work is unsound. Probably “Molecule” is aware that insinuation is a most contemptible and cowardly weapon. May I entreat “Molecule” to take his mind back about 20 years, and let it recall to him the exhortation of a famous headmaster: “Play up, play up. and play the game.” When he has done that, perhaps he will have the courage either to make a definite statement that Mr. Field’s work is unsound,-or to show in some way contrition for his insinuations. The net contents of his two letters show that he has tried to discredit Mr. Field by calling him an amateur and self-taught. and by insinuating that his work is valueless. While employing such despicable methods of attack. “Molecule” advises Mr. Field to place his work before such mer as himself and hope for an impartial judgment. When Mr. Field reads “Molecule’s” advice, I can hear him say, “Timeo danaos dona ferentes.” C. W. H. PICKERING. RATIONALISM AND THEISM Sir.— If “A.E.C.” thinks that belief in God involves “arbitrary assumptions of authority,” he has not advanced far in the study of Christian theism. There are many types of reasoned Christian belief, including Ethical and Rational Theism, as well as some composite types which are distinguished iveri conscience or intuition. The reality of God cannot be proyed by demon-

* stration, but the religious j ness is a fact of our mental | experience. This no arbitrary authority to ! but is to be trusted as gf 1 rational nature. I suppose - . will agree- that reason is the of scientific knowledge ana is : j terion of our critical judgmen not also a function of reaso ®' ! constructively with experrene tc* transcend these? When re “U us that within or beyond our vidual life there is an j —the intelligent causative Ljjfr | what ground shall we deny j fjelc ity? Reason occupies a I rphere if i than “A.E.C.” has allowed. a rational ground for those hricV j which we call spiritual. I t* j indicated whft- appears to i essenc: of Theism. Whether we , ,?»onal or intuitive » -cube it as i.f .onai or not matter. a D 6 ; mayed by the progress of ■ criticism. C.G-*k I