DR. KENDERDINE AND THE LIBRARY RATE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9161, 17 September 1888, Page 3

DR. KENDERDINE AND THE LIBRARY RATE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—As your editorial mind seems to be somewhat exercised as to my object in appearing as defendant in the Resident Magistrate's Court the other day, perhaps I ought to satisfy your curiosity by seating that I did so merely as a protest against; what 1 conceive to be an iniquitous tax. You are quite right in your conjecture that I do not intend to go to gaol, as I could not do so if I wished ; as l happen to possess some household goods, and these would be distrained upon first; and this would entail a good deal of inconvenience on my wife and family, or they might distrain away to their hearts' content. As to my motives for resisting payment, they are two ; first, my duty to God, and second, my duty to my neighbour. As to the former, I consider that the opening of the Library on Sunday is a breach of the Fourth Commandment, and therefore dishonouring to God ; and with regard to the second point, it is not doing as I would be done by. I never have any work done for me, that I can avoid, on the Sabbath. Ido nob see any harm in doing any work of necessity, charity, or mercy ; but I contend shaft the case in point is none of these. Your contention that the opening of the Library on Sunday has been taken advantage of by many, I take to be very little worth, as by parity of reasoning, the theatres might bo opened on Sunday, and I have no doubt? we have plenty of godless people who would frequent them. I may state that I paid the Library rate before the Sunday opening. In conclusion, I would venture to throw out the suggestion, that seeing the large exodus of our population which is going on, it is hardly wise of our city fathers to try to disgust people with the place, and tend to make others follow. - I am, &c, Thos. B. Kendekdine, Auckland, loth September, 1888.