ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

New Zealand Tablet, 3 July 1919, Page 18

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS

W. M. L.—Writing in reply. "Stella." —Wo will make inquiries. Too late this • J- week. E.-S. A.—The parish priest of Napier is Very Rev. J. Ty mons. ..." J. J. S.—We regret that we cannot publish your letter. ."We cannot take up private grievances. J. W. O'H.—We have received- from several readers a copy of the poem known as "The Irish Guards." It is by Kipling, and we will publish ;, it. On your behalf we thank our readers. M. G. F.—Books on politeness and good manners must have become scarce in war-time. Try a bromide now and then. It would have the same effect on • ; you as if you kicked the backbone through the rascal's hat. But Ave expect what you want is the effect on him. Reader.— Knights of Columbus gave freely to the soldiers. They could not be accused of trying to trade. As for the Y.M.C.A. it would be interesting to know if all the money collected for patriotic purposes was spent on the men. . We hope -.it was all spent, but people are saying they gave little away for nothing. C. L. (Wairau Valley).—See issue of June.-19, page 21. M. A. L. (Hikurangi).—Our correspondent will be pleased if a reader will tell him who wrote the lines quoted by Mr. Holland at Greymouth—"The hearts we bring for freedom are washed in surge of tears, . And we claim our right by a people's fight outliving a thousand years." "Democrat."—No, signore! We leave anonymous letters to some of our neighbors. The paper that would publish an offensive anonymous letter is as vile as the coward who is afraid to write over bis name"Ciyis," for example. It is only another specimen of what some people understand by British fair play. On subjects that arc in no way controversial wo have no objection. "Scrupulous."We cannot do better/ than quote Father Hull for you: —"Because it always remains a fact that playing at cards for moderate stakes, or laying a bet on a horse, is something absolutely innocent and harmless in its nature, and there- ; fore cannot be condemned, the moral theologian could not advocate such abolition on the ground •'of abstract ethical principles. Nor can mankind justly be forbidden the right to indulge in such ; ,.",. amusements as if they were radically wrong." ■ The evil comes in when people risk money which they cannot afford, when their dependents suffer, when they get; into the clutches of ; the money- 1 ,' lender. .On the whole .the really objectionable ■/inform': of gambling is not racing; or .cards, but such '■•- 'excitements as "Two up," which leave' many a ~ man without ; his hard-earned .wages "at the end of

the week's toil. I ~ you --want'"!© have "flutter"' on a race the,, rule ought to be "Cut your , coat, according to ,your cloth." , j And don't . back a. "stumer"—whatever that is. ~.;,. . ; - -.