CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXXI, Issue 87, 12 April 1940, Page 6

CORRESPONDENTS' VIEWS.

CHURCH PROTEST.

(To the Editor.) 1 It eurprif ed me, and amazed read of the attitude taken by niemlmi of the Church Presbytery towards tie funeral proceedings of our late Priife Minister, Mr. Savage. Surely tie retwend gentlemen of the presbytery »re aot so grossly egotistical as to assume ther can voice the feelings of the groat major. ity of New Zealand people at the p»n ing of this great man. Thpir objection to the radio, the only means by -vhitK many people were able to visualise funeral and burial service of a beloved by old and young, a leader of our country, who was buried aaj mourned not as a politician, hut at a wonderful and noble personality, is absolutely ridiculous. The music over tke air wae of a beautiful and emotioail character, and the description and heartfelt intonation by the announcer vat in itself highly appreciated by thote who listened in. But—to accoee titt great man's closest friend? of using fc s death »e propaganda for furthering the interest** of their party w= more than ridiculous —it i* a crude and bigoted statement reflecting discredit upon tho*e wio stand as examples of dignity aad brotherhoods XJX

, I was surprised to see a protest br the Auckland Presbytery regarding funeral of "our late beloved Wader." With regard to the "radio racket." tnrtlr these people can think for a while <ff the people in the South Trland. the backblocks, the old-a«re pensioners, and tie pick. ThU was their only chance to bear anything of it. I myself thought' tie programme very beautiful and would like to co in pi iinon t the broadcasting compaiiv on their effort. Surely tlw» remark of Mr. H. B. Burnett, "the who)* 1 procession wa= just a ;rreat piece of propaganda for the Labour party and a sieter Church." was quite unnecessary and will never help to brin;r the ClmrcW together in unity. They admit themthey are always protesting I think we ran all agree with them ia this statement. T would like to ear that I am not a Roman Catholic or % Preshylerian. X. McEVOY.

Reading a. report in the "Star* ef the Presbytery discussion on the late Prime Minister's funeral being on the Sabbath. I would like to ask the Presbyterian minister who introduced tin subject- if he that he is paid to work upon the Sabbath? But tkt men who worked on Sunday «.t the femoral performed a labour of love for one they loved dearly, also their work wm voluntary. Regarding the radio radcet Pr«=byterian3 have enjoyed the privilege of usin«r that medium on Sundays. Mr. Savage never withheld from invalids tad pensioners the contact with life and happenings that was. and still is. rightly theirs. I am more than surprised at * minister saying that Mr. Savage's fineral wa* used as propapanda, ont: of the sister church.