Broadcasting and Prayer

Manawatu Times, Volume 66, Issue 103, 2 May 1941, Page 8

Broadcasting and Prayer

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Might I be allowed to express my disgust at the unwarranted disregard for religion that is shown by the New Zealand broadcasting service. Our most gracious and religious Majesty and our courageous captain at the helm, Mr. Winston Churchill, have asked that a silent time of prayer should be observed throughout the nation during the striking of Big Ben every day at 9 p.m. Last night there was a Labour union representative from England speaking from the Trades Hall. This speech did not end till about 9.6 p.m. Tho time of prayer was to be at 9 p.in. Was the speech cut short so that all could turn their sinful hearts to God and ask for His help and forgiveness? Not it. The speech had to have first place and God had to come in at the convenience of the broadcasting service. Also many times church services have been cut short so that the broadcasting programme should not be interfered with. In my opinion and that of thousands of othors it is a crying shame that at the most critical stage in the history of this Empire and of the world, when the help of God was never more urgently needed, that there should be in the Empire men who seem to think that God and his teachings should take second place.' If they would only read their Bibles they would find out that no material aid that we can get from anyone on this earth will win the war for us. It is Divine help and nothing else that will beat the Axis Powers and any other Powers that range themselves against us. This Divine help will only be given us when we all turn to God and ask for His help and forgiveness and not just when our King or some minister asks for a national day of prayer, but genuinely and continuously by tho whole nation.—l am, etc., H.W.W.