PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 125, Issue 20908, 13 September 1939, Page 9

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondents wliose letters are welcome, but for whose views we have no responsibility. Correspondents are 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. DICTATES OF CONSCIENCE (To the Editor) Sir,—The statement which you reprinted today from the Methodist Times in support of the war is not the view of the whole Methodist Church. Many Methodists and other Christians are convinced that the attitude of opposition to war taken by the Rev. O. E. Burton is the right one. Thousands of people throughout New Zealand know from personal contact with Mr Burton that he is one of the bravest and best of men, and we protest against the police action of twice arresting him and others for publicly proclaiming the Gospel of Christ as they understand it. Is this still a free country or has Hitler already won the war and established the totalitarian state? Has the state any right to prevent good and peaceable citizens from publicly expressing their convictions? Mr Seymour advocates the Introduction of conscription, and probably from the military point of view it will soon be necessary. If it is brought in, all Christian people should insist on the rights of conscience. Many of the best men and women in the land consider that all war is wrong and participation in it unlawful for Christians, and these convictions ought to be respected by the State.—l am, etc., W. H. WOOD. Claudelands, Sept. 11. SUGGESTION TO FARMERS (To the Editor) Sir, —The war in Europe will leave many places short of manpower, and where the people are not mechanicallyminded and instructed there is a prospect of a shortage of foodstuffs and fodder after the winter. This is our opportunity to help, and get paid for doints? It. Witjj. the calling up of 6000 or more of ouF young manhood our farmers are likely to find themselves short-handed, both in planting and hay-making. It seems to me that a plan could be worked out by which small parties of men could alternatively be detached from camps for 40-hours of mechanical tillage and harvesting operations, billeting them if necessary in a military tent and returning them to camp for week-ends. Modern transport would offer no difficulties here. Absolutely necessary military training must, of course, take precedence, but “a change Is as good as a rest,” and the result should, if the season favours us, be enough and to spare for export, and thus cover the “dead horse” that will be left when the flight is over. This is a suggestion for the non-political party farmers of the Farmers’ Union to get busy.—l am, etc.. EX-FAIRMBR. Hamilton, Sept. 11. “THE NEXT WAR” (To the Editor) Sir, —The Great War (1914-18) was fought ostensibly to make the world safe for democracy. The present war is professedly to make democracy safe for or in the world. The next war will be to make safe for democracy (or vice versa if you like). The conflicting forces will be dubbed Collectivism and Conservatism, or perhaps social <md private credit management. Of course the martial, the ecclesiastical and the publicity tom-toms are being vigorously beaten to meet the present emergency, ft has always been so, but to imagine that human nature will be changed for the better by war is to imagine a vain thing. We may be fighting now for democracy against despotism, plus force; next time it will be idealism v. democracy, plus greed. The human stream evidently cannot rise above its natural source, and the story of Cain and Abel stands to prove it so. Fight, yes, surely we will light,, but there is no need to be sanctimonious or liyprocritical about it. For “How can man die better than facing fearful odds for the ashes of his fathers and the temple of his go(l)ds?”—I am, etc., E. DAVIES. Cambridge, Sept. 11. SATURDAY’B RUGBY GAMES (To the Editor) Sir, —All Rugby followers must have been pleased with the weather conditions at Rugby Park on Saturday last. There was nothing to hinder really good football, but both games were disappointing. The first, City v. Frankton, was won easily by City, whose fitness and combination were far better than that of its opponents. Frankton was without the service of the fullback, Ward. I have heard people say that one man cannot win a match, but if Ward had been in his place it would have been a different game, although I still think City would have won. The second match, Old Boys v. Technical Old Boys, was also disappointing owing to the absence from the Technical team of the usual inside backs, the club being compelled to fill the vacancies with some of the forwards, which weakened all the forward play. Although we have only four senior teams in Hamilton we still have too many, vacancies having to be filled by juniors, and very poor juniors at that, very often. Old Boys played a fair game and had a little the better of it all through. The fullback, Slow, played a great game. His kicking and fielding were excellent, also his positional play was far above the average. Owing to the weakness in the Technical forwards, Old Boys had a feast of the bail and should have done better. The refereeing in both games was especially good, with not too much whistle; it was pleasing to the public. In the writer’s opinion, City provided both the best back and the best forward in both matches. Perkins with his grit, determination and keenness was always getting right to iiis man if at all possible and doing the right thing. He is second to no Waikato three-quarter today. Clarkin, in City forwards, although not as heavy as some of Saturday’s forwards, was in everything and always going “eyes out,” getting his man, shirking nothing and always on hand if a try was possible. Like Perkins, the closer he gels to his man the harder he goes—not like some of our fast men, who want an open field and no opposition.—l am, etc., T. A. COOPER. Hamilton, Sept, .11,