PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20278, 21 August 1937, Page 9

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondents, whose letters are welcome, but for whose views we have no responsibility. Correspondents ai*e requested to write in Ink. It is essential that anonymous writers enclose their proper names as a guarantee of good faith. Unless this rule is complied with, their letters will not appear.

NATIONAL PARTY

Sir, — I see that (he National Party have arranged for addresses to be ! given in this district by Mr O. C. Mazengarb. Is it not time that the National Party realised that their political activities are of no interest to the people of this district? The present Government have an overwhelming majority in the country and enjoy the confidence of the public, as was well demonstrated at the reoent receptions to Mr Savage and Mr Nash. Talking to empty seats Is no pleasure, and I suggest the National Party should avoid this by sitting around the fireside instead of hiring large buildings for their meetings.—l am, etc., SOMEWHAT SURPRISED. Hamilton. August 20

CHURCHES A SOCIAL CONDITIONS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Much has been said, and written, respecting the lack of sympathy displayed by many Church leaders (all sections of the various churches) to the commands of Christ as to what the followers were expected to do In relation to their fellows. In his noted book, published in 1932, the Rev. Dr. Norwood, at that period pastor of the City Temple, London, expressed his view rather trenchantly .n the following words: “No sane person would expect a united attack by the churches upon the two greate-st evils of to-day—to wit. war and the capitalist system." This quotation came to my mind while reading an article in a Home magazine, signed “A Clergyman,” the title of the article being “Church Unity and the People." It is a most interesting article, deeply sympathetic with closer unity of all sections of the Churches, but, further, It provides | proof that a considerable section of the Anglican Church Is at long last realising that drastic action in respect to saner economlo and social conditions Is imperative if the power of the Churches for good i-s to survive. Indeed, some of his statements as to how far many clergymen and church workers are prepared to go are rather surprising. Listen to this—“lt Is a factor not to bo Ignored that many young Christians, parsons and laymen, are turning to Communism as the true expression of their oreed on this earth. The younger men In the Churches to-day, the lessons of the war behind them, the success of the Russian people before them, see more clearly how wide is the abyss between their Churches and their ideal. Christian pacifism is a movement of the war generation; the doctrine of non-violence seems to the younger men Inconsistent with the vigorous militancy of the Ma-ster who cleansed Iho Temple.” These are strong statements, and seeming proof that there Is a widespread movement permeating the English Churoh to-day. Should any of your readers, Sir, Imagine the above statements an exaggeration of a very similar number of parsons and members of the Church the following may open their eyes:

“A more dramatic sign was given at a recent meeting of clergy (note that) called by the Imperial Preferences Group to discuss the conditions at Merthyr. There, the Tory vicar of Merthyr averred that had he been born In the place he would certainly have been a Communist, a remark which called forth cheers from many parts of the hall; some half of the clergy, led by a Stepney parson, revolted against the proposed milk and water resolution; a colonial bishop staled publicly that lie had voted Tory for the last time, and if the revolution came, God bless it. The meeting broke up in confusion.” There is no evading the facts In connection with the above, surprising as 11 icy may bo lo many people; and here Is Just another quotation from the article: “Plans for the formation of a Christian Left paper are already being tentatively discussed. Such a paper may work towards the welding of a powerful and effective mass movement of Church people to end the power of the Church as one of the chief reactionary forces at the disposal of tlie capitalist State.” It may be worth recalling that when a Housing Bill was before Parliament the late Sir Austen Chamberlain said: “Had I to live in the slums I should certainly he a violent revolutionist.” The simple fact is that, despite better times la Britain because of gargantuan expenditure on armaments, the frightful conditions under which an enormous number of people still live—• or rather exist—ls a disgrace to any nation presuming to call itself Christian, and to all sincere reformers it must bo ft matter of great Joy that a considerable section of the Church is filled with a righteous determination to do their part in trying to establish a form of social organisation which accords more with the commands of their Masler. I am. cle.. JOHN SYKES. Wellington. August 10

A SOUTHERN VIEW.

BOBBY CALVES.

GOVERNMENT POLICY.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —As other views should be taken into account, I enclose a reference to compensated prices made by the retiring president of the Dunedin Chamber of Commerce at the Jubilee meeting early this week.—l am, etc., A SCOT. Hamilton, August 20.

“Compensated price for farmers was recently discussed by the chamber,” Mr Wilson said, “and there Is no question but that the farmer, in asking for a compensated price, has a good case. How the gap between rising costs and fluctuating world prices is to be closed is a problem yet to be solved. At the moment we are enjoying boom prices. Most farmers are asking themselves what will happen when world prices fall. In the past, the raising of the exchange rate, and mortgage relief legislation, have enabled many farmers to carry on. This subject, which sooner or" later will be of paramount Importance, should receive (ho earnest consideration of the Government, with a view to either (a) reducing costs or (b) making provision to prevent disaster when prices fall. How the compensated price is to he paid without being passed on, and further Increasing costs. Is yet to be explained.”

(To the Editor.) Sir, —A letter appeared In the Times yesterday from “One Who Stood By.” lie suggests an inquiry bo called "in order to ascertain why the trainload of calve* was not taken to Ilorotiu after the accident at Taupirl. I hope it will bo possible to find out why this was not done. I happened to be at Ngaruawahla on the afternoon of Friday. A number of trucks were on a siding and the crying of the calves was nerve-racking. I left my car and went to look at them. Quite a number were down and appeared to be in a very bad way. 1 went to the station and inquired about them, and was told they were consigned to Auckland, but could not get through till the line was cleared. I asked: Could they not be sent to Ilorotiu? The slationmaster referred me to the transport officer at Frankton. I immediately got in touch with the secretary of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, who rang the transport officer. W's were told Ilorotiu had rll they could deal with and the trucks mutt wait transfer to • Westfield I should think there were five or six hundred calves In the trucks. A number had come from NVnkatane and Edgecumbe, and so had been in transit since the morning of the previous day. 1 understand they were taken through to Auckland on Friday night, so it would bo Saturday morning before these weary, starved little creatures were put out of their misery. Imagine a human being shut In one of these trucks from Thursday till Saturday—no food or drink, ami little chance to lie down. What would be the effect? And yet the publlo continue to tolerate the conditions which condemn these helpless baby animals to such suffering. Will those who were responsible please tell us why these calves were not sent to Ilorotiu, where, according to the correspondent yesterday, “40odd slaughtermen were standing by, waiting to deal with the calves,” and yet they were not sent, although the society made an urgent appeal?—J am, etc., R. A. SEAL. Tc Kowhal, August 19.

(To the Editor.) Sir,—Tn your Issue of last Saturday there appeared the report of a •statement by the Prime MiniLscr, Mr M. J. Savage, touching on Government policy wilh regard to the control of broadcasting. Without at Hie moment wishing lo discuss lengthily the general inference of Mr Savage's remarks (couched in ambiguous terms, surely) i l would like simply to say that 1 for | one fundamentally disagree with tlie | sentiment expressed in the Prime Minister's statement. Further, os an j elector who voted in favour of the Labour Party, I strongly protest against the Government’s undoubted •policy of curtailing free speech—a | policy which I can conceive to be only in Its cradle singes at present. Even If the Government is justified in claiming a mandate from the electors. In carrying out a general policy cur- ( tailing freedom of action on the part of the Individual, I still think the public Is being betrayed by the manner in which the broadcasting service is being “nationalised.” For the Government to go out of Its way to mop up all (be privalelv- run stations and then lo establish a" censorship over "controversial subjects.'" taking the view tli.it I lie* Government will be held responsible in oilier e.uin tries for all broadcast m ilier. is sun ly * ■•i.ions I r i i j (-1 1 . >: • 1 ~11,1 .1 I. **■•!. 'ii. v.: eh, Ur IY-m I-:.:. Ho | | of • • 11. .. .1 111 I c. ..p.-r.il i.• 11 .1 | 1 : »■:'!>' w H. ' ! •* s.'im- Ibis . > \e, ■nTlI j "illy cuo-ix.il.;- form ..f humau -mM | v on! ! human •' ■■;•••■■••<!. .11 Hi' I : . ! '■ in . f j | the .oK.mc- ..| |.„ ! w ledge and scj,-,jlV.ie I individuals and Groups' ' w h ,,Vh' n ’! |

indulged liberty or licence. The spirit of freedom is only understood and appreciated in active human relationship, where a person finds that, while others refuse to be enslaved or coerced. he or she is yet allowed full scope to learn and encouraged to give expression to helpful genius in all its natural ■spontaneity This is where standardised laws and moral conventions and traditions stand in the way. Human life and circumstance are not stable, are not alike as between one Instance and another, and Litc interplay between life and circumstance is variable—naturally -so. Arbitrary judgment is futile, destructive. Yet- this is the path our Government lining the attempt now on foot lo monopolise Hie radio broadcasting service as a preliminary to silting in lodgment, on all programmes presented for broadcast, of curse, if this applied only lo the “national” stations lo one would have lb- same cause for •onrern. as if might plausibly |,e irgued Iha I Hie Govenmienl must feel 'omo rrspnusibilil \ for tlm conduct of *'-l\es. VI .m :, ' lb,'* 1 -n.’illouai” I• • o• ii .:i-i.I• • r Hi- <. ml fun • i.o '' 11 1 ■ 1 1 1 \ lo .hi!. m policy li'.oii post ■" - - toward lb- propl- in g-u-nl km ,| ,1 110 ir pi—|,-.-->,..i-. They ii- --h|Hi it I !i-y am' lakmg ' the j (L.uitlnucd la next column. 4