PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21193, 16 August 1940, Page 2

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondents whose letters are welcome, but for whose views we have no responsibility. Correspondents are requested to write hi 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.

SELF AND SULPHUR

(To the Editor) Sir, —The lost ages of faith were characterised by a dynamic and almost universal belief in a personal and material devil—of whom detailed descriptions survive from eye witnesses. (The slow motion camera arrived just too late). In noting a very general trend in religious circles towards a revival of the cult of diabolism, I take leave to doubt whether such a belief is to be classed as a permanent asset in a community intellectual equipment, whatever may be its war-time value. Possibly this doubt colours my view of the evidence indicating the physical presence of his Satanic Majesty amongst us—such as the deposits of sulphur in watertroughs which are reported with trepidation from various parts of the country. Is there any truth in the rumour that the humble wattle has been known as “The Devil’s Tree?”—l am, etc.,

DOUGLAS SEYMOUR. Hamilton, August 15.

PRINCIPLES OF LIBERALISM

(To the Editor) Sir, —First permit me to claim the following qualification for myself, that my convictions regarding the principles upon which Liberalism is built have -not changed, but only become clearer with cne lapse oi time. Liberalism, which reflects a living fountain of intellectual light, liberty and truth, does not force itself upon society per medium of hostile laws which curtail the freedom of the individual, because Liberalism fully understands and appreciates natural and volutionary growth, to wit, this old order changeth, yielding place to the new. The new order is determined in advar.ee, not by man but by virtue of the fact that every progressive and living organism is subject direct to the law of change. Socialism treats society as a lifeless mechanism. Hence through its priggish self-assertiveness it attempts to reconstruct. It is at this point that Socialism, the very essence of ignorance, arrogance and force, breaks down. However, the fight is as clear as a crystal. It is between Liberal Democracy and Socialism —there is no middle course. Yes, the fight is between freedom and tyranny; or in other words, a well-entrenched bureaucracy which even includes examples such as Hitler, attempting to own and control the State as private property under the guise of Socialism. The forces of Liberalism are ever ready and fully prepared to meet the onslaught in any given environment. Hence, coming nearer home, the Labour Government must not use the war as an excuse to put off the elections next year, and thus prolong its political life.—l am, etc.,

HARRY WOODRUFFE, Auckland, August 14.