THE POLL ON WEDNESDAY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIV, Issue 229, 25 September 1903, Page 3

THE POLL ON WEDNESDAY.

OPINIONS OF THE PEOPLE.

FOR AND AGAINST.

(To the Editor.) - The vote on Wednesday next .f& prominently before the public the ;vo,rkerS t '° Wtml3 tbe - a . h aad kin. The great hindrance iW io-i-es. is selfishness; from tii__ to m ,l at the community are exempt. tihew-ork-Bfft '. rt.V succeed in imposing a week er3 " _T Mrs work upon the_r iellow--£?eSedon f the tram,. It _. * |ri S_A that the peculiarity of their *-***_._ ..events them having the loy T thrillf-holiday. which is by most. In tlhese cLiys of W. q 0 f short hours fair wag-es ff wet that for age, prior to these _!__the Creator ordained a. seventh W, ,° t vvhich ha. never beeu li, and which i* needed a., much Are there no lessons to to fLt from the sad increase of lunacy s*2s*o sfc Wlc eon T ni,ty _. '"S, oTer plague, smallpox, etc and 1 by these more important questions, fita towest of the pr^rva- . ~ t__ mental and physical health ft? 21 the weekly Sabba.th is an f Lble.boon which all right-think-b fTn but specially the worker., IS c_n*rve. Instead of the motor !ihwin» greater strain placed on have less Then we S to consider tbe objection of not f those who reside on tbe streets So* which the trams nm. bat praotiX the whole population, whose SunS y qmet will be outraged by the Sib c din of the ca*. should tbey Knitted to run. I leave just now iWmerable side _w_e_ that an_e Sept to say that I do not hold stact Starian views, thoroughly believZ that the Sabbath w made for man Snot man for the Sabbath: hence I Lported the opening ot the Public L_St the Art Gallery and Museum, Id the train to Waikumete on the Sunday "Footballer" and "X." have no joiit written in a spirit of satire to show ns. the dangerous tendency. The talk about fresh air. etc., is .0 much takmn; a quiet walk in either of our m_s or the Domain would be far more teieficial than being smothered in dust in a tram car: Those who wish to 'go to Cornwall Park have the opportunity in the afternoon of either Wednesday or Saturday; but what so many wish is BW rt on Saturday and ditto on Snn_v. We shall indeed be a_i inconsistent if on the one hand seeking to establish statutory half-holidays, and on the other practically abrogating tbe weekly whole day enjoined for cessation from our weekly labour.—l am. etc., SOUTHERN CROSS-

(To the Editor.)

Sir,—Permit me to say a few words in reply to the letter signed "Tramway Conductor" which appeared last Wednesday'in your valuable paper. Being a conduotor myself, and knowing the feelings of most of my fellow-workers on the question of Sunday work, I could not help feeling disgusted at the abominable falsehoods contained in his statement. Mr Hansen's letter to us was quite dear. He said that all those who for toe reason or other preferred not to work on Sundays can absolutely rest assured that this fact will not in any way interfere with theiir positions. Now, sir, I believe that 11 out of 229 employes proved that they had confidence in their manager's word, and gave notice that they pref erred not to work on Sunday. Is "Tramway Conductor" amongst those 11 who did not sign? if so, well, there was no necessity for his letter. Bit should he have signed in favour for fear of being dismissed, well, then, I can only condemn hi 3 action in writing such a letter a3 worse than cowardly. "Tramway Conduotor" calls it 'slavery" to work 365 days a year: so do I, but we will not Work every Sunday, and when we do, by an extra four hours, still have then 20 Jours dear (besides earning 6/ or 7/ per week more). Surely this is not "slavery"? Myself and "many others feel sure that the letter in question was Mt written by a conductor at all.. Now, sir. in answer to Mr H. E. Pacey's letter of tat night, I should like to point out flat he is absolutely wrong in stating |hat the employees' signatures were obtained by pressure. It is true that some W or 40 men did not sign at fust, but m was because they were under the rapression that by signing they would forfeit any increase of wages should the "nitration Court grant double time for -indaywork. This, of course, was a ?°_ idea, and it was explained to Jose men; but, surely, sir, nobody calls ? at ' u smg pressure" or ''canvassing" on " c Part of the manager. For mv own Fj". I never heard of any "pressure" wjttter until I read it in your paper. 1 "_) you are at liberty to use my JW affixed thereto, but since the ptbJJhon of it might look as if I am writ2___ ,a - favour with the manager, I *& prefer to remain ; - ANOTHER CONDUCTOR. (To the Editor.) JpT l sha h esteem it a favour if you «i allow me, on behalf of my fellow Spe. S aad myself, to draw the atffl 2. fe y readers to the manner Jtuch the Tramway Company have . ft , e rt a Ppear that a large majority day t eini,lo y ees are in favour of Suni<LmV" For the last few wee hs a str f T n «. has been I,rin X hi the Queen- % °, waiting the signatures of asked? y ? es ' who have each been .1 to sip. a similar process has j Soing on at the Ponsonby and 3? f . pot3 ' with tho rt ' suli that toowl „ men wll0 > to mv P ersonal %kin are Teheine n , ly opposed to their I° n Sunda }' s iiave appended tLf . Sl p atur es, under the impression t-stati hStandin " Mr Han sen's P ro * tv enta °" s to contrary, they would other, _ dss phiced in favour of C «mpa_. _ WoUl<l not "convenience the f ,es - H 1 their conscientious scru * •Piaions 3 f.v 6 Compan y ca nvassed the % __?. 0f the employees by means of Wv, y °* the ballot tlie result ,s «c of It entitled to the acceptd %_._ Cltj zens. Under existing I eW: S it: is P a hpably nothing but ,ry S C : ° neeri ng dodge, which I trust % will cs P ectin g citize n of this fair *4e J_^ diate b y his ™te and voice lnS -.-lam,,etc.,

SUNDAY REST

Si ri __ Yo]]r (Tothe Editor.) **_!■/_ corr e*pondent, Mr Sadler, : •iggestiv <IU - et Sunda y is beautifully I "aithd i\ an< * i* l ea *t encroachment ;; «tt»inl. W6d now we wiU lo3e ifc a" - T'» gradually, and soon. These

statements are clear from hia point of view; but will he please explain wherein Seventh Day Sabbatarians have in the press interrupted the religionists, adding that Sabbatarians are wholly wrong, as Christianity has no Sabbath—only in principle. If Mr Sadler was a reader of history he would not stake his reputation by saying that all first century churches observed the first day of the week. Henry Alford, D.D., Dean of Canterbury, in his New Testament for English Readers, on Acts xx. 7, say 3 the idea of the transference of the Jewish Sabbath from the seventh day to the first was an invention of later times. Edward Brerewood. Professor of Ore-s----ham College, London, says it is commonly believed that the -Jewish Sabbath was changed into the so-called "Lord's Day" (Sunday) by Christian emperors, and they know little who do not know that the ancient Sabbath did remain, and was observed by the Church 300 years after our Saviour's passion. (Treatise on the Sabbath, page 77.) Bibbon says: "The rescript commanding the celebration of the Christian Sabbath bears i>o allusion to its peculiar sanctity a.s a Christian institution. It is the day of the sun which is to be observed by the general veneration. History of Christianity, Book 3, chap. 1.) While we as A people take no pavt in politics with religious matters, we must say that the running of Sunday trams is in no wise a violation of the day of rest which God com-1 manded to be kept for all time." —I am, | etc., BIBLE TRUTH.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Not in one single reason adduced in favour of running Sunday trams can sound common sense be traced. Self interest is very evident in some, while others have utterly failed to recognise the great harm tbat must result from continuing the • evcry-day turmoil with no intermission. From a physical point of view, inasmuch as it affects a class on whom the safety of the public depends, viz., the motormen, Dr. Bakewell's letter should carry a deal of weight. I would go further and absolutely prohibit such men, willing or otherwise, from being employed more than six days a week, or fortyeight hours. With regard to the poor excuse regarding ferry steamers running forming a precedent, cannot people recognise that a ferry steamer is simply a connecting link in a high road. Between two towns, or portions, divided by water, as is the Shore from Auckland, this public highway must always be kept open. The example of other towns is nothing to Auckland, local conditions varying. What might be necessary from a health point of view in Christchurch, the pancake city, with a long stretch to the sea shore, is absent from here. There is not a single dweller in the veriest Auckland slum or gully but in five rrfinutes can walk to where he can get the sea breezes from, all quarters. A quiet stroll along some of our elevated roads, with glimpses of tbe beautiful harbour, is infinite-' ly better than the crowded jangle of a rush through dusty streets caused by these same cars to a place where crowds would congregate, and while the greater number would be intent on assuaging their manufactured thirst the remainder would get nothing more than what they would had they contented themselves with a quiet walk, but. on tbe contrary, would have less to on necessities, in addition to help swell the bloated dividends of the Tram Company. Fellow-workers, firmly and conscientiously vote against Sunday trams next Wednesday.—l am, etc., COLORADO.

(To the Editor.) SiT __l intend to vote for Sunday trams at the poll on Wednesday next for several reasons. I cannot possibly tell when I may seriously need to use them. If my more wealthy brother can afford to ride on that day, why should not my poorer relations and myself do the same? It will, 1 honestly believe, conduce to largely increase the congregations at those places ot worship which offer good religious fare. 1 cannot swallow the camel of making the poor dumb animals work seven days a week, and strain at the gnat of a meehanicallv-propelled vehicle doing the same. 1 tind so many of those who would like to see this beautiful world of our-, one dull jrrey colour are against these trams. The cabs, buses, trains, and boats have been running for years without asking permission. Now that someone has the courtesy, of their own free will, to offer me the choice, ! am too British to refuse what they ask. If the trams run on Sundays r suppose the electric lamps will lie lighted in Queen-street. That will certainly be n decided improvement. To sleep is .o rest, but to rest is not necessarily to sleep.--! am, etc., v FARRI.

(To the E'litor.)

gj r _Xow the* employee, of the Tram Co. have declared in favour of Sunday trams, the principal argument againeA their running advanced by those opposed no longer holds good- This argument at best has, in my opinion, been like the proverbial red herring drawn across a scent. It is not unlikely that a large number of clergyman think if the polT is carried in favour of running the tram, that the offertories might be seriously affected. 1 certainly think the reverse will take place. No sane person will believe that the member-hip of any church will decrease simply because the trams may be running; the reverse will almost 'certainly be the eft-:- IMany persons who don't now attend church for various reasons, such as distance, too odd and feeble, will now attend whan t-iey can ride with such quick dispatch to church and home again. As to bringing Auckland to the same condition as the oities of Europe on Sundays, so far as some of them are concerned there would be no harm in that. I have been in most of the larger cities of Germany, and never saw in any of them anything the most strait-laced religious person could object to. As a matter of fact, the religiously-'mclined attend church in the mo miring; the afternoons are usually devoted to innocent recreation out in the suburbs, carried there by trams and railways, and it is not uncommion to see quite a sprinkle of cleroymen present at such places. Never "i-aviVm- been in Paris I plead ignorance of the custom there. Assuming busline . is carried on in the lather city, there is more likelihood if the people are shut up in the city tlhat they, will strain to breaking point mamy of the laws which are passed to compel people to keep quiet on Sunday for decency sake A trip out in tihe country or down the harbour by the ferry boats does a person infinitely more good than morosely staying in all day, or hangabout street corners, or even wan-d-Tin" about the streets. In conclusion, I think the attitude assumed by the

clergymen is a mistaken one. They ought to remember thiait 'it is Long since the masses t__rew off clerical domination, and -h_r being the case they only weaken tilieir case by attempting to restrain or curtail the inalienable right of each individual to dispose of his tiime as he wishes so long as he does not run counter to any law in force for the good government of the whole community.—l am, etc., ONE WHO FAVOURS PROGRESS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —As far -at. I am aware nothing has ever appeared in ' 'correspondence" re the above to show reason why riding on Sunday should 'be freely enjoyed by the wealthier, using what "means" they dhoose, While the particular cheap riding of -the trams is sought to be positively "prohibited" to the working and the poorer classes. Argument for "a Puritan Saibbaitih" has completely collapsed, being without basds fro-m C_ris„_n theology. W_is_t the people demand us free British subjects is a "free" Sunday, which cannot be together with "prohibition" (rightly understood). We demand a Sunday which a\. can spend without bondage to "law" framed in "church" (in its ordinary sense) interests, whereon we can worship or rest or seek mental and physical health in fresh air, change of scene, change of thoughts, and social pleasures at our own will. I consider this gre_.it underlying principle is invincible, and puts into the shade tlhie petty, often selfish, views wihieh have appeared en tlie side of "prohibition!"—l am, etc-, JOHN C. EARL-

(To the Editor.) Sir, —I notice in la_t night's '"Star" a letter signed "Cosmopolitan," who gives vent to his appreciation of the Continental Sabbath, and points out the advantages that such a Sabbath has on the masses. He certainly has very strong arguments on his side of the question, for have not the European countries had longer experience in this matter than Auckland, and is not "Experience tho father of wisdom?" At present there is one day in every week wa.sted, for on Sunday proprietors are forced to close down factories and shops, while the employees dissipate the Sundays by going out on pleasur.. Of course this desecration of the •Sabbath does not pass unnoticed, for many of tho clergy have already stated their appreciation of a Continental Sabbath, which at all events will give those fellows who go yachting, courting or do novel-rending a fax more useful occupation on that day. A quiet Sunday is not desired in Auckland, and the majority look forward to a "dusty" change, and hope ili.it it will be voted for ou the 30th: after which quiet Sundays will never again trouble the public. It is or great- saris-faction to note tihe discretion of }>ir Hansen in this matter, for. perchance, will a little inducement, he has the Council's consent to make tihe voting so that if successful lie will hold ■the "trump card" over the public for the next 30 years: w_er_as, if his Sunday tram resolution be rejected, he will have the option of holding another poll after a. year has elapsed. Another controversy that has occasioned considerable comment in your columns is one that has been raised by mem who _tate that they have large families, and shriek out that they are bored to dearth when they have to remain at homo with the youngsters. Quite so. but with the advent of Sunday trams tilings will be of a much brighter appearance—a blazing appearance would he a more fitting simile —for these gentlemen will then bave the pleasure of escaping the "boredom" and putting in eight hours insite-ad. In conclusion, sir. it is to be hoped 'that tbe Auckland public will not prove their determination to commence a change in the workingmau's freedom; to send more money out of the country by adding Io the Tramway Co.'s profits, and will not vote to extend the time that binds the Auckland public to the monopoly of the Tramway Companv.—f am, etc.. U.S.

(To tlio Sir. — 1 urn only a servant girl, but am very glad I have a. vote: and I shall use that, vote next Wednesday in favour of Sunday trams; and f fell you. sir. the reason why 1. rind many more like myself, will use their vote in the same way. I am in service in the city, but -my parents, and most of my friends, are living in and near Epsom, and the only day I have for visiting them is Sunday: but if the I rams are not running my chances of seeing them are very small, as ittakes me two hours' walk to get ho\me, and two hours hack. This means tfrvtt my visit is four hours shorter, but since the trams are running I get home about 3 o'clock, and can stay till the last tram is taking me back to town: otherwise I trot homo between 4 and 5, and have to leave about S o'clock so a. to get back by 10 o'clock. I believe there are many more servant girls who are placed in similar position as myself, and if they have votes I would iike to lime them to vote in favour of Sunday trams. —I am, etc., A SERVANT GIRL.

(To the Editor.)

gir ; —i n an article which appeared in your columns of tihe 22nd inst., Mr Hansen submits to us a letter in which he states that out ot 229 employei.s only eleven refuse to work on Sundays, should the poll be declared in favour of Sund.y trdmoß. Does Mr Hansen think that cut of the 210 who signed tho document saying that tbey want to work on Sundays all those men intend to vote for Sunday trams? If so, he will be gre.llv mistaken. Ca,n a man work week (in! to week end without a rest, without being entirely unfit foi- tlie propen- discharge of hi., duties. Tramway conductors and drivers require a rest an well as any other men, and why can't the people" do without Sunday teams? They have done so in the past.—l am,