LETTERS TO EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 16, Issue 119, 5 February 1923, Page 8

LETTERS TO EDITOR

THE OBERAMMERGAU PASSION PLAY

Sir, —Some three or four months ago, a statement having appeared in the New Zealand papers (copied from the “Westminster Gazette”) to the effect that tho Bavarian peasants who appear in the Oberammergau passion play had become thoroughly commercialised and mercenary, I felt constrained, as a matter of fair play, to say that this was entirely opposed to the impression they left on my mind after seeing the performance of 1910. To satisfy myself, however, I wrote to ai Christchurch friend now in London, who, with his wife saw the performance last year, and asked him for his opinion. You may like to publish his reply, which repeats almost in the same language the impression which I said w.p<j left on my own mind of this wonderful representation. He writes: “I will send the letter on to my wife, who is in the Isle of Wight, for her to answer in reference to the Oberammergau plav. but I must at once express my own opinion that the ‘Westminster Gazette’- is absolutely and entirely wrong. What impressed us most was the wonderfully religious spirit of the whole play, and all the performers went through their parts as though performing a religious duty. Even the chorus, standing out in front as you remember they did, took no hoed whatever of the vast audience, but sang straight away to the back of the theatre as though they were seeing visions rather than the audience. It was a wonderful revelation to see the hushed silence of the thousands who wore seated there feeling, as we did. the' strong rel’gious force which so dominated the whole of the actors. An instance of their earnestness is seen by the fact that some Americans wished to kinematograph the play for reproduction in America and made a very attractive offer to tho players which they refused, and, in order that they might not be tempted to a&cept it at a. later time they actually cX off their hair and beards. This was in face of the fact that they had suffered a tremendous loss on the production of* tho nlay owing to the very rapid fall of the mark after the arrangements and prices wero fixed. That they did not raise their prices when the mark fell is certainly a proof that thev associated no commercial spirit with the work they were doing.” —I am, etc., W. H. TBIGG. RAILWAY REFRESHMENT ROOM CHARGES Sir, — Is it not time these charges wero reduced from the profiteering one of fourpence for sandwich or cun of tea. to threepence?—-Travellers please “AGITATE.” TELEPHONE CHARGES Sir, —I imagine the members of the Chambers’ of Commerce do not realise the possible loss there will be to the trading community if there arc many like myself will not care to pay the increased rates. My telephone does not bring me a scrap of business, but I havo it as a convenience to give urgent orders to wholesale and retail firms. The Rost and Telegranh Department offer me, it is true, to share a party line, but I have a'ready experienced tlie drawbacks of a partv telephone at my private address, and bc'tig tbo one who has to collect the other subscription. have on one occasion .through the inability of tho other party had to nay both, subscriptions. The feeing generally is that t'b n Post and Telegranh Donartment, I'ke the Rai’wav Deuart-mont,, do not show anv ability i? finance their departments ns thev should do. For example the Post and Telegraph Department consider that tbov do a lot of work in connection with overseas parcels, tho revenue for which goes wholly to the Customs Dcrartmeiit. Instead of mnking book-kcepimr adjustments between the two departments Hie brilliant idea was conceived of making the public pay 3d. pc l - parcel. this r<?voiu' A to no to the Postal Department. The telephone service showing a loss on working, therefore double the rates. These may be sound bureaucratic methods, but I submit thev aro not n, ood business practices. The public think that- there is extravagance in administration, and in all the departments there aro too manv dunderheads. —I am. etc.. TRADER. ■Wellington. January '3l. 1923. LAND AGENTS

Sir, —In connection with land agents public opinion seems to be labouring under a misapprehension. Could I ask a small space in your columns regarding same? First of all, land agents are often spoken of as being rogues. Are then* not good and bad amongst all? If poopie knew more about file land agents' side, of affairs they would realise that land agents are often confronted with some very smart people, and land agents are often robbed of their commissions. The land agents’ scale of charges is a set scale and people know exactly what the comnffssioiUwill be beforehand. How many professional charges are such? Out-of-pocket expenses are ranch greater than mauy people could realise. expense of taking ‘‘joy-riders” out for an occasional airing is no detail. There is a land agents’ association to. which only agents of undisputable character and repute are admitted. There is now a very severe taw governing tho land agency profession. Th : s Act (known as the Land Agents’ Act. 1921.-22 Amendment) puts all new applicants to a very severe test, and it is really in connection with this Act that I write. I quite agree with the 1922 amendment, but surely it should apply to old holders, anil tile annual renewals should be treated as new applications. It must be borne in mind that any underhand practices have- been committed by established agents, and not of course by new applicants for licenses. Thus file object of the Act is to a great extent camouflaged. If the profession ist to be kfipt strictly clean, then T say that this important point must be made law. There are many, laws in this country of ours, and many flaws in those laws. Surely /if Is the duty of those of us who bitterly learn of these flaws, to give public expression to same. I have recently been amazed at the extensive authority given to our Police Department. Surely Government opposition criticism is not levelled at this Department as it is at other Departments. Ono may wc4l wonder why this is. Is this Department faultless? Like all machinery, surely every Department-' needs a thorough overhaul occasionally. The Police Department is n very important Department. Then why not overhaul it? Why should not a Civil Department deal with applications for various licenses? Such is the case in England and America. Why not here? I say that the methods are wrong. Is it not a fact. Sir that objection was raised in the House in connection with old-age pension applications being thus dealt with? I might add. Sir. that I have- recently experienced “the miscarriage of justice.” but “a cork never sinks.” —I am, etc., I{. VAUGHAN VENABLES.

THE DEMAND FOR RURAL' BANKS Sir, —Under the heading “Fictitious Value,” I react Sir Harold Beauchamp’s statement. While agreeing with him on land values to a certain extent, I do not agree with him on his statement re agitation for rural banks. Now. Mr. Editor, take myself. I applied to a bank manager for an accommodation for £lOO, and could give ten. times the amount in value, bat was not asked for security, but told that the bank had not a penny to lend. However. I got it without the bank n help, and I hope we get the rural banks. I am satisfied tho banks are no good for the small man. Now Sir. if wo had rural banks we could get accommodation from them on our stock and not by playing 10 per cent, interest, and" compound interest, s-s some of us aro doing now. The banks and. stock agents have no one else but themselves to blame for the agitation. -I am, etc., gMALL