Mr. G. Bernard Shaw

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 171, 17 April 1934, Page 11

Mr. G. Bernard Shaw

Sir. —“Tile Dominion” is to be commended for the impartial manner in which it has given its correspondents fiee rein to discuss Bernard Shaw. This clears the air. and now it only remains for our broadcasting authorities to give us free air. and poverty amid plenty will be a thing of the past. It will be apparent to the intelligent reader of “The Dominion” that all adverse criticism of Bernard Shaw comes from ignorance and egotism and lack of a sense of humour. To those thoroughly’ conversant with the works of Bernard Shaw, he is probably the greatest living Christian denouncer of Mammon and Pharisceistn, the source of all evil. It will be remembered that Dame Sybil Thorndike, when in New Zealand, spoke of Bernard Shaw almost with reverence, comparing him to Saint Francis of Assisi. None, possibly, is more fitted to give an accurate estimate of this “noble Roman” than England's beloved Dame of the Theatre.

For over fifty years Bernard Shaw Jias been a true Saint George tilting at the old dragon Ignorance, with all its: trappings of vice, pride, prejudice, superstition. selfishness, cruelty, bigotry, nd nauseam, and it is more than likely from the way events are rapidly shaping, that George Bernard Shaw will live to see nis dreams come true, and the world as a Christian world, peopled by true ladies and true gentlemen.—l am. ete., BERNARD THOMPSON. Wellington. April 16, 1934.

Sir, —Another letter concerning one of Bernard Shaw’s remarks. A few days ago lie remarked about unstumped paddocks. Indeed, he could not have described them in a better way than he did. As one is travelling along in a train, passing hillsides with black stumps and logs in every direction, it is not only monotonous. but it makes one’s blood boil to see weeds springing up here and there, when the fields could be covered with luxuriant bush.

What a joy it would be to travel along will) magnificent trees on either side. The destruction of the forest is still going on, and if something is not done immediately beautiful New Zealand native forest will be no more. Regarding the stumps, Mr. Shnw suggested that the Government should compel the farmers to take them out. The farmers are not in a position to take them all out these days, but surely this would be n desirable occupation for the unemployed —I am. etc., DOUGLAS SMITH. Mangnmaire. April 13, 1934.