LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15003, 27 May 1912, Page 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

THE HOSPITAL INQUIRY.

Sir,—After reading carefully the evidence riven at the hospital, inquiry, I can. only arrive at the conclusion that if anyone should have been dismissed it is certainly not Miss Griffiths. I trust some of our public men will get up an indignatio'n meeting of citizens to protest against the action of a section of the Board and medical staff. . A Ratepatbb.

PRAYERS FOR THE DEAD. Sir,— correspondent who follows up the Bishop's reference to John Wesley as one who advocated prayers for ■ the dead, quoted as evidence part of Wesley a reply to Bishop Lavington, but did not quote enough to do justice to Wesley. Ihe whole paragraph, from which a line or two were given, appears in vol. ix. of Wesley s works, and shows that Wesley's prayers for the dead, according to his own interpretation, were but the pious wish which we all utter when referring to a. departed saint. The matter is scarcely worth, writing about, but, as part of the paragraph was quoted, allow me to recite the whole:— . "Your fourth argument is 'That in a Collection of Prayers I cite the words of an ancient Liturgy—"For the faithful departed." ' Sir, whenever I use those words in the 'burial service, 1 pray to the same effect: ' That we, with all those who are departed in thy faith and fear, may have our perfect consummation and bliss, both in body and soul.' 'Yea, and whenever I say 'Thy Kingdom come,' for I mean both the Kingdom of grace and dory. In this kind of general prayer, therefore, 'for the departed faithful* I conceive myself to be clearly justified, both by the earliest antiquity, by the Church of England, and by the Lord's prayer, although the Papists have corrupted this scriptural practice into praying for those who dio in their sins, '■■ 1 J 0. H. Garland.

WATERSroE WORKERS. Sir,— Monday's BxnAVD there appears a statement under the heading "Firm For Arbitration," in which you state there are Auckland waterside employers who are not tied to any award, or any agreement. True, there are; but they are a very small minority, and they employ very little labour." Your informant goes on to state that an agreement was fixed up by tno Southern and overseas shipowners with, the Federation of Labour, and local conditions as applicable to Auckland were passed over. This is not correct, as 80 per cent, of the employers of the waterside workers of Auckland signed the said agreement. Further, I claim that the agreement was suited to Auckland conditions in every respect. It is also stated that had an official and really secret ballot been taken, tho majority of the members of the union would have agreed to the award. Now, the union had previously taken a secret ballot, and decided by a large majority to cancel registration. This ballot was carried out with the greatest care, and conducted by a returning officer, and two scrutineers. The members then had the opportunity to vote for the Conciliation and Arbitration Act. It is also stated that there is no secrecy in the ballots. ; This is not correct. The ballots are even more secret; than an election ballot, as the voting-paperij are not figured upon except stamped by the seal of the union. Further, your informant states that the day tho agreement came into force there were several breaches by the workers, but he omits to state that there were also breaches by the employers. He states further that when an employer of labour goes, to the waiting-room to engage labour ho is subjected to insult and abuse. I give this an emphatic denial. If such a thing did take place the members concerned would be severely dealt with, and lor the secretary would be sure to hear if such a thine did occur. ft R. W. Ainswcbth, President A.W.W.U. 86, Wellesley-street, City. , j UNIVERSITY COLLEGE. Sir, Every citizen of Auckland should read the report on the present condition of accommodation for higher education "in the so-called University College, ■ which Was lately laid before the College Council, and published recently in, the Hxbald-, and I imagine that every citizen who reads that report will hesitate before he again boasts of the primacy of Auckand among the cities of tho Dominion. Is it unjust to attribute to the apathy of the citizens of Auckland the present disgraceful state of our university accommodation? lam aware that when the public were up in arms to resist the theatrical transfer of Government House and grounds to the University, one or two mild protests were made against the accusation that*the citizens were indifferent to the interests of higher education but, so far as I know, the energy shown, by the publio of Auckland on behalf of their University, when compared with that displayed in supporting scores of other schemes, has always been "as moonlight is to sunlight, and as water is to wine. Has there ever been an " indignation meeting" 'of the citizens of Auckland to devise means for removing this ugly blot on the city's reputation? And the present position seems' far from hopeful. The College Council, whether or not in, despair of getting anything better,; now : asks for a little strip of ground which, if taken, will spoil tho Government House domain, and effectually cripple the future expansion of the University. I know it is said a whisper by the advocates of the scheme, and in no whisper by its opponents—that the possession of this bit of ground will be the small end of the wedge, which, when driven home, will secure the whole of the Government House grounds. But this result, whether good or bad, cannot "be relied upon, and meanwhile the college buildings cannot be designed with a view to the larger area, and so the whole plan must bo compromised from the beginning. It is surely useless to appeal to the Government until the publio of Auckland agrees upon some definite suggestion. Why should the Government meddle, so long as the citizens of Auckland show so little regard for , the advancement of learning and the reputation of their city? J. Giles. EUGENICS. Sir,—ln view of the awful condition of things concerning tho increase of mentally defective children, as disclosed every now and again, and referred to Bv the Minister for Education at Wellington recently, would it not bo of far greater benefit to tho community, and mankind generally, •if our clergy, instead of occupying much of their time troubling themselves and others about what takes placo after death, of which they can know nothing, were to take up a mo.'© important and living subject—eugenics? In face of the constantly-growing evil taking place in our midst, of tho propagation of the unfit, making the struggle for existence of the fit more severe, the action of the clergy seems like trying to grasp and preserve tho shadow, while the substance is left to perish. The majority of the clergy are men of culture and learning, whose notice the need of something being done to check the evil could not have escaped. They have, a? a rule, some spare time for study and who, I would ask, - are more fitted to mould public opinion on such a subject as eugenics than they? I feel no hesitation in saying that if they gave the results of such study from tho pulpit, or in the lectureroom, they would secure larger congregations, the units of which would remain awake instead of falling asleep, as many do, oyer the usual humdrum sermons. The time is ripe, th© leaders only are wanted to make known the evils under which societyis suffering to secure plenty of support. Very few indeed have any conception of the fearful burden we are • called upon to bear through our neglect in allowing the unfit to propagate their kind. For instance, Dr MacGregor, formerly inspector of hospitals and asylums in Now Zealand, gave in his report some years ago the asylum history of two families in New Zealand and their cost to tho State. There were, in the ono case five males, and in the other, husband wife, throe daughters, one illegitimate child' and a husband of one of the daughters. The total cost, up to that time was £3817 8s In the- case of one of the daughters alone the cost was £1318 2s, and her parents £590 2s; and these burdens are augmenting in an accumulative degree; that is to say, they are increasing in a greater ratio than-* the increase of population, or those that have to bear the brunt The question is aDpallintr to those who have given the matter any serious thought. I would refer those who wish to delve further into the matter to Dr. Chappie's (formerly of Wellington) book on "The Fortuity of the Unfit," and Dr. Rintoul's work. ,1. Hopkins. Epsom. PROBLEMS OF THE FUTURE. Sir,—Bishop Orcssley has, I notice, been discussing the question as to what becomes ?i S thumai ? V m &. aftor what we call death, and the clergy in the city and suburbs have also been expressing various opinions on this vexed question. Opinions must necessarily vary, and I venture to suggest that if the discussion continues for an unlimited time these theologians and wo ordinary human beings will be as far as ever from a knowledge of the truth. Most thinking people believe that there is a future activity for the human beinjr (the individuality or soul) after his probationary period on this earth has ended. Many believe that " there is no death," that "what seems so is transition," and that "This life of mortal breath is but a suburb of the Me elysian, whose portals we call death." We know not whence we came or whither wo are going, but we do know that, we aro here. Wo cannot see "behind the veil," and surely our best and wisest course is to endeavour to live according to the teaoh-

Christ,, and thus prepare ouwaU ** m another and probably more «£*£ ?'« 1 of activity beyond the portal wHel *&«*• I death. Let us, while we aro s(in 4 ft L li«flesh, remember the teaching ii l *** ■!' the example set by Christ, and I selves for another and higher £",% i tivity beyond tho grave. B I? %£*«{«*. 1 jvci may have to pass through' 1' before wo finally reach the ? -pSSijS I Of this we can know nothing I wo can trust to the omnipotent WW** 5 ' I just Creator of all to do with us aRLS 1 right to Him. And are we not «^ B *'l one stupendous whole, whose *«**«( ¥ is, and God the Soul?" Co » i consciousness that we have wit*?,, ™ *** II • spark or particle of the Blvi™ i » 1 call it thesoul-and that 27d^ b *| material existence is to dovelon tfi.iT *»■ or particle of the Divine, Mt&*l forwarding the great cv 0 l; ionary t» the great Creator of all. 1 wouTd SM» to say to our bishops and clergy «S» worry about these great problems Jill future, but endeavour to solve the of the present." Let them en deS» apply their minds to the study to i disturbing elements which are human being. Let the ChurchesdlMfß the numerous vices which demoraut **. B degrade, the human being and fe'#l' the Divine spark that is within SPI is much more to bo clone in this 1 while we are hero, and we need not"ssP 1 ourselves about the future*.™ ft* 1 evolutionary journey to the perfect 3' 1 We cannot in this existence see EhfA I veil and surely our boundbn duty W 1 apply our minds to the honest jS&& II of our duties hero upon earth - not vl?" 16 * I selves about what mar or ma- not £ I to us when we cross the divide. TW I ______ EPB Do*. ADVERSE WEATHER FORECAST* 1 Permit me to draw the attention <i M pleasure-seekers, etc., to the itartJSj ; ing. weather forecasts. During tSTS I boisterous season we have had some inL&f.fl of exceptionally fine weather (lasting I a fortnight) and almost throughout etffS B these periods wo have been warned gm heavy easterly, etc., gales, squalls,. 4 S etc. Having unfortunately to earh w|S-i B ' ing subject to the vagaries of the SC 1 I am reluctantly compelled to H*' 1 upon the apparent mistaken propbedffSs# are often never fulfilled (fortunately) i forecasts may have been warranted fromT H formation received as to subsisting or nA& tive local conditions that surround I oSS£lighthouses connected telegraphically fS if purpose of exhibiting storm signals to MS 'M shipping; but, as it often happens IT fl heavy weather that may obtain off the xl M Zealand coast does not always reach Z ffi protected harbour, which is siLuafed 5 ff inside the. Hauraki Gulf, many mil* «~T : fl the coastal line from East Cape, pa*ft2lß Barrier and adjacent islands towards I Brett. During the past fortnight'* ,Jffi<jß fine weather almost every evening .*** M warned of bad weather, which has as* : M arrived, and as the past summer *«•*£ "fl appointment from a weather point of i-« K' it naturally follows that pleasure-!cPk;M».'.\ SB invariably consult the weather forecast 'fl much that the continual warnings havMKi'fl fulfilled, "yea, verily to.tho bnro") !*£ | making preparations for a day's outuMrS-'' B the oft result that many beautiful few?' ' M calm days are lost owing to tlift ; S2 m monotonous warnings of gales and rain! 4 m Imagine the fleet of pleasure-boats l»u*k' & motor-cars, etc,, lying idle throuoliocJli fl beautiful calm weather we have 'ejetanjir " during the past fortnight, in eongaqSri ■ misleading forecasts. After the past's*- 1 ; - 1 eon's experience regarding bewilfeot fcl 1 casts it will be recognised that -a wjX■;''■. local prophecy (from a reliable and IS -. source) would lie gladly welcomed -iW'lijSand it is to be hoped t;hat such an ism tion will yet come to pass. We could haft expect "Windy Wellington's" forestrii apply here, as our local geogaaphkal t* tiou apparently sometimes protects hi* indicated oceanic .and coastal distiirbata. ■ ■ 1 and it would be acceptable if the mMw inevitable weather forecasts could weJM so that interested folk could distinmiijiffc. ' tweeu purely local indications and the«* lying- coastal weather. Thanking *<* a anticipation. E.M.STKSttroRi), ■■' ' ' Master Launch Sea Wolf. President irf. land.Coastal Masters' Association. ■ '"■ ' ■ »...».!?i^@^' ! »'' "HEAVEN, HELL, AND SC^F^fc Sir, —I would like to make a few r«« * rations on Bishop Crossley'a remark ai. jg lished in your paper of llav 6, under I heading "Heaven, Hell, and Script^:' 1 Tho oniy source from which we obtaii m ■ knowledge of the subject is from tfc* S therefore what it reveals must be tfcft'tjr K foundation upon which convictions 7 oJA. :^!s:: ■~ K based. It would app<sar that man hutat:' s sinned he was doomed to death, bit cr £ account of redemption being primmer W resurrection became necessary;, for «&W there been no redemption roan, hat» 1 been judged, wojild have xanxL Wfo ''Q doom; but this altered condition brtejiif m abo the need of a place for th* McepMi Sf and detention of ': the'i. disembodied?. Mvy 1 until the end of the age, when Jgpflßi { reclion body is to be bestowed. 1 ..i* ]/* , of reception or detention is epolea'« a - | the Bible under the Hebrew word SW - | and the Greek word Hades, both m» sions meaning the unseen world, that "fife' is covered up, and are used in ceiiaefli« with those who have passed away. *m' bodies are hidden in the grave. T3»*W Saxon word " hell" originally hid fbtfigm, meaning; it meant to cover up> M M over; and was used 'by our early trtM|/ in this sense, in the place of Mum' «h Hades, and also for other words which w the original manuscripts Have very different meanings and application. < ,^#'/ Sheol and Hades are alwavs spekeneftf being beneath, it is said to >«; a "gosj, - down into hell" (Prov. viL ?.?'.. !n W' time it was spoken of as '"tho house *' pointed for all living" (Job x«. 2. £ ; We are also told respecting it thftS.iMft different positions and experiences taH thoso detained there. Those who have an .tinned to .practise known pin (that in, m wilfully) tire in tho depth of hell. W* lit; read of Dives that "in hell: ha liftfld W his eyes, and seeing Ahrahara *-r off, w Lazarus in his bosom" evidently in m I figuratively within speaking disUncc, j» I distinct in position and experience: I the state and position of tho spirit iv 5«3 1 depends upon tho character and Qiiilitri*' 1 that have been developed and i)r«rtise*d « earth; for we nowhere read that totir*! arises simply from being there, but ■W/0. during lifetime having had the oppbrtyfls-■ ,■ of acting . right, through selfishnefi* 1 « «■ difference wo elected to act wrong v*nl3»4| consciousness of this is the cause of torwiit, : That the condition in hell is more; perience than a position may be ir.foitrt from what Christ said to the dving i» ! - "To-dav shalt thou Ik> with Ma in P»* disc" But St. Peter tells us Chri't *»f* to hell and preached to the spirits, <iw* , Yes, as regards location, but when God*, as • Saviour and friend, it must ho r«*j' dise. But why did Christ use the irtre Paradise on this occasion instead of '.Abaham's 'bosom, for lie was speak!:;/ 1* * , Jew? Because Abraham's bosom cobv'j* the idea, of a limited place, confined th|ffi»f connected with the faith of Abrabaa; v ; represents a place of peaceful, happy w' ing for the religious Jew who died m fflßwl but Christ's position in hell was not that cl >- hope, but that of assurance; not,W,3h., Jew only, but as the Saviour of all'm?*- ; So the term Paradise is used a* eiprs*i« of the place that once included the w?~ human family, as it did in Eden; and tf condition that made earth's garden Paradi* was the presence and communion with ■«« Lord; but when this communion could f* longer lie maintained, on account of : Bin, although the garden. remained theSAOiOj?" < was Paradise to them no longer. Bit through Christ this communion has »** restored, hence the universal salvation ; j all men who come unto God bv Him. J.iy* wo see the all-embracing suitability of *«» wx>rd Paradise being used by Christ en, w* \ occasion. i'V'X^l The Bishop has no Biblical authority Wj | making use of the word hell as he /•" done, and instead of hell commencing'**ft the Dar of Judgment, as lire said, ,-M*;/ Bible tells us that that is to be the W occasion on which it is to be destroy*** (Rev. XX. 14). Jobs Wakd, M V. Katikati. mm* —■ ammmm wg