CIGARETTES AND CATHEDRALS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 11, 14 January 1929, Page 6

CIGARETTES AND CATHEDRALS.

Judging by the eable message wo publish to-day, cigarettes and cathedrals seem to have been the two pointe on which Miss Maude Royden won most criticised during her tour in Australia and New Zealand. On her return to London she said that she could not conceive that a few cigarettes could create such a terrific row. They did, and the fire of criticism levelled at her over her cigarettes sometimes served to distract attention from her real message. She is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished public speakers of to-day, with a spiritual message forcibly delivered. Why such strong objection should . have been taken to her preaching in cathedrals, as she did at Adelaide and Christchurch, it is hard to say. In England the pulpits of many cathedrals have been thrown open to lay speakers of every shade of religious thought and political opinion. Many of the addresses thus delivered have had small spiritual value, while Miss Royden never loses sight of the religious message she has to give. Miss Royden wished that the word "dole" could be abolished. With that we entirely agree. The word gives a totally wrong impression and leads people to believe that it is some kind of State charity, whereas it is a form of unemployment insurance. Miss Royden is not devoid of humour, and she must have derived much quiet enjoyment from some of the incidents and criticisms of her tour. We are glad to know that she appreciated the wonderful hospitality of these "rough-and-ready" countries and found something to admire in our interest in international affairs, the League of Nations, and the proper feeding of babies. There are other things on which we pride ourselves, but perhaps she mittsod them*