"THE SILENT MINUTE"

New Zealand Listener, Volume 11, Issue 283, 24 November 1944, Page 13

"THE SILENT MINUTE"

Should England Follow N.Z.?

N anonymous correspondent in England has sent us two copies of the "Manchester Guardian"

containing letters about the period of silent prayer. First, in the issue of September 15, there is this letter: Sir,The Big Ben Silent Minute has become a national observance throughout the Dominion of New Zealand. A recording of the chiming and striking of Big Ben is broadcast as a signal for this purpose by every radio station. The House of Representatives at Wellington suspends its session at nine each evening for the express purpose of giving members the opportunity for observing the Silent Minute. A recent message to Mr. W. J. Jordan, High Commissioner for the New Zealand Government in London, contains the interesting news that the Minute is also kept at public meetings, as well as in the homes and at private gatherings throughout the Dominion, and has thereby become a source of strength and inspiration to every section of the community. It is greatly to be hoped that the example set by New Zealand in this respect will be followed in Great Britain, where the Big Ben Minute originated, and that the necessary impetus to bring this about will be given by the nation’s leaders in Church and State. Those who are willing to co-operate and would like to hear more about the

Silent Minute and its potential importance as a national spiritual asset are invited to write to the undersigned.Yours, ete, L. L. HOARE, Major General, Chairman Big Ben Council, 19 Bell Moor, London, N.W.3. September 11, = * * HEN on September 20 there is this reply: To the Editor of the Manchester Guardian: Sir,The adoption of the Big Ben Silent Minute as a public ceremony in New Zealand is not a strong argument for its adoption in England. A newer civilisation may outstrip its parent, but if it remains in isolation it may maintain the original civilisation long after it has been superseded in the Motherland. Byblos, an offshoot from Egypt, continued to use for 1000 years an old Egyptian script entirely superseded in Egypt itself. Eighteenth-century culture persisted in the Southern ‘States of America long after Europe had left it behind. When Bernard Shaw visited New Zealand in 1933, he proclaimed, with truth, that he had returned to the land of his youth, Early Victorian England. The Silent Minute may well be a source of strength for individual people, but it seems undesirable that twentiethcentury man should be submitted to social pressure on its behalf.-Yours.

etc.,

A NEW ZEALANDER,