China

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28528, 6 March 1958, Page 3

China

Sir.. —One of your correspondents thinks with gusto of Shanghai's “night life” before the Communist regime. I, who have lived in cities with that nightlife, know its dangers, its vanity, and its crime. I am afraid for Christchurch that with the import of wrong ideas and ideals, the easily led youth may follow the gay and frivolous life, because, they feel a greater vitality there, than in the churches, who are taking the place of God; keep the congregations in the fold without puling them to read philosophical works of high ethical value and to embrace new ideas, even if they are expensive to buy. It is neither communism nor our present state of thinking here which grants a basis for “global thinking,” thinking in terms like for example: “I rejoice in the happiness and achiement of my neighbour.”—Yours, etc..

L. J. SCHWARZ. March 5, 1958

Sir,—Mr P. M. Butler, the 1.L.0. delegate of the Federation of Labour, is reported as saying that he hoped New Zealand would not recognise China. When I was in

China I asked such questions as “Why do you not send cultural delegations to New Zealand?” “Why can we not have some of your sports teams sent to New Zealand?’ A further question I asked was “Why do we not have trade relations with each other?” The answer to all these questions was, “But you do not recognise us.” It is in the interests of New Zealand with wool and meat prices falling to find alternative markets. China is concerned about improving relations between our two countries, but if New Zealand likes to cut its own throat by refraining from recognising China, then China will not worry, because China has a selfsufficient economy. New Zealand will be the ope to suffer the consequences of such an illadvised policy.—Yours, etc.,_ March 5, 1958.

Sir, —Analysis of the views expressed by your correspondent “A.M.” suggests that the power of religious organisations emphasising disputable Christian theological dogma is of more importance than Christian ethics and their practical application. The great sin of the Chinese People’s Republic is a dissolving of any political or economic power of such religious organisations. As regards similarity in the ethics associated with Christianity and communism, the famous Dean of Canterbury—the Rev. Hewlett Johnson —some time ago gave a series of addresses on the subject, since published with the title “Christians and Communism.”— Yours, etc., A.H.S.H. March 5, 1958.

Sir, —There are two points in Mr Wheeler’s letter on China that might call for comment. The first is his assertion that “bribery, corruption. ‘squeeze’ gambling, drugs, flies and prostitution”, have disappeared from Communist China, the second that “Communist China is a puritan society.” Taking the two in conjunction, possibly we shall see a reason why missionaries have been, shall we say, politely asked to leave China. Doubtless in the near future we shall have Communist puritans, imbued with a fervent zeal to redeem and evangelise a sin-stricken world, invading many countries now groping in darkness Even enlightened New Zealand has some of the evils mentioned as virtually non-existent in Communist China and we would be grateful if Mr Wheeler would inform us of the methods adopted by his “puritan society to reach its Utopia. Yours, etc., WONDERFUL. March 3, 1958.

Sir, —“Gedel” made a good point when he, in effect, told “P.J.A. that only for the United States which he is always so ready to condemn, he would not be in a position to pursue “the improvement of engineering” in this country. In fact, he wouldn’t bt enjoying his comfortable ’job were it not for the fact that we are living here in peace and security under the protection of the United States. Should the day come when America is not in a position to afford us this security we shall most assuredly have to kiss this country good-bye, as it will then be wide open for investment by the millions of underfed Asiastics. especially as, according to “P.J.A.,” China is on the way to outstrip the rest of the world in industrial development.—Yours, etc., SOUTHRON. March 4, 1958.