A Question Of Orthography

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30559, 30 September 1964, Page 16

A Question Of Orthography

Sir, —In your first leader today you use a word not recorded before 1892, but now in increasingly common use, which you, and the dictionaries, spell “unco-ordinated.” “Unco,” sir, as a word in itself, is as meaningless as it is ugly, an offence alike to the ear and mind and eye, little better than, a hiccup, as I hope you may agree. If so, I would ask you to take the lead and set a precedent in future toward a more seemly orthography, by writing the word in question without any d — -d hyphens. The dictionaries are sensitive organisms and would probably soon follow you. (I note that those in my possession do not yet acknowledge the word “un-co-operative” either with or without any hyphen.)—Yours, etc., L.G.P. September 29,1964.

Religious Broadcasts

Sir, —Recently it was reported that, as they had no share in the time allocated for religious broadcasts, the Seventh Day Adventists were intending to try to buy time on our commercial stations. As a staunch Anglican, whose church is well served in broadcasts, I applaud their enterprise and wish them the best of luck. A few years ago I was perturbed to hear that it was impossible to buy time in this country for religious broadcasts. I felt ashamed to find that New Zealand is one of the few countries in the world where this is not permitted: yet horse racing is broadcast all day long as well as the dividends. Australia, like most other countries, has religious broadcasts at times purchased from commercial stations, usually between 9,30 and 11.30 p.m. Would you please ascertain whether time for religious broadcasts may be purchased in New Zealand and if not, why not? —Yours, etc..

ANGLICAN. September 21, 1964. [The Director-General of Broadcasting (Mr G. H. Stringer) said: “The N.Z.B.C. does not sell time for religious broadcasts. Seventh Day Adventist submissions on this question are at present in the hands of a Parliamentary petitions committee.”]

Religious Canvassers Sir,—ls there not some bylaw to prohibit these religious fanatics from’ invading the privacy of pur homes with their insidious propaganda? I understand pedlars require a licence to hawk their wares, but these people seem to have the run of the town, and unless one is prepared to be downright rude or call out the dog it js impossible to get rid of them before they have wasted up to an hour of precious time. One tries to keep the commandment, “Love thy neighbour,’ but these persistent callers try one’s Christian charity to the limit. They would be better employed helping some of the underprivileged sections of the community where their energy and fervour would be of some practical use.—Yours, etc., EXASPERATED HOUSEWIFE. September 29. 1964.