LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 15060, 1 August 1912, Page 4

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

BIBLE-READING IN SCHOOLS. Sir,—ln a recent issue of your much-read Paper, someone writing under tho name of "Liberty" seems to think Bible-reading in schools will infringe on tho liberty of the subject. Ho quotes one text to prove his assertion, but may I ask has ho road other parts of tho Bible, such as Matthew vi. 30, or tho Books of Moses in the Old Testament? Having boon educated in schools whore wo always read the Bible and learnt a verso of Scripture overcy day, I can safely say my " religious liberty " was never tampered'with. ' F.Y.M.D. INCURABLES' HOMES. Sir,—l was delighted yesterday to read in your journal tho letter of "Ooßtley Homo." I did not for one moment think the oHicors ho has mentioned were anything but attentive. It is not tho management, but tho place, to which I object. Your correspondent is wrong in thinking that I do not know my subject; but I would like to point out that tho remark ho objected to was passed more particularly in relation to the quarters provided for incurable tuberculous patients. I would be tho last one to endcivour <<? sow discontent in tho minds of any of the inmates of the home, but with my knowledge of tho subject I feel it a disgrace to think that these unfortunates should bo in such quarters. Williau Tell. THE SINGLE-HANDED DRILL. Sir, —It is beyond all reasonable argument that the single-handed drill is synonymous with one man working by himself. Everyone acquainted with mining must admit that it is very dangerous for a man to work alone in a mine. That thoroughly practical miner, Inspector Paul, even with regard to a mine worked on tribute from an adit level, said on Monday last at the Corotnandel fatal accident inquiry that "ho would recommend that no tribute bo let in an isolated position, unless two men were in tho tribute- and were working together." How much move dangerous are the workings in extensive mines, operated from deep shafts. His testimony is worth that ot scores of theorists, who have neither credentials nor practical experience in mining. It is thus evident that the way is clear for a clause to bo inserted in tho Mining Act to that effect. This clause should be universally applicable in mines, as indicated by Inspector Paul, and thus cover tho single-handed drill and all its objectionable features, and leave no excuse for the men not using tho spray. If this is done, then the Labour party will lose a grievance, which in this case ia a genuine one. An Old Mi.ye it, DEMANDS OF UNIONISTS. Sir,On opening a registered letter addressed to me, I was reminded that a dispute had arisen between tho Auckland. Operative Plasterers' Industrial Union ol Workers and myself and over 200 others. I am not an employer of plasterers or other workers. Tho demands of unionists aro moro than I can agree to. Take apprentices. Here tho union demand is that only 0110 approatlco should 'be allowed to every three journeymen employed. I have always understood that Magna Charta was supposed to have settled such questions. Then wo have sub-letting. The union wants to prevent sub-lettirg. I know many men' have got a start in lifo by taking sub-contracts, and worked themselves up to be largo contractors, whilo, if only day labour had been allowed, most likely they would not have risen above tho average wages man. But tho most unreasonable and unjust demand to me is tho demand for preference to unionists. The clause reads thus: "If any employer shell hereafter engage any journeyman who shall not bo a member of tho union, and who within one week of his engagement shall not become a member of the union, the employer shall dismiss such journeyman from his services if requested to do so by tho union." How reasonable men can expect such power to be granted is a mystery to me. When such laws enter the Statute Book the decay of the raco has set in. Suppose the Farmers' Union demanded of the merchants and storekeepers and preference unionists preference of their produce over non-unionist farmers'. What a howl would set in. Further, the claim says: " All future applications by employers for labour shall bo made through an office established by tho union." To expect employers to submit to such dictation ! can scarcely bo considered seriously. ~ , . Thomas Caeless. j Ngaruawahia, July 30, 1912,

THE WAR CLOUD. . Sir,—lt is much to bo feared that tho interpretation put upon tho appointment of the now German Ambassador Jo Eng'and by tho Berlin correspondent of tho New "York American reveals tho truth as to our ieiation3 with Germany. Iho German attitude to all possible foes has its basis deep down in the history of nation. In £.11 other countries in which tho Reformation obtained a footing, its most permanent and effective principle was the regulation of tho relations between tho civic community and its rulers; it was democratic and constitutional, The ruler was the representative and tho mandatory of the public, and responsible to them as tho true source of power; it was held that the divine right to reign depended on the public rieht j to choose. It was the Calvinistic doctrine I of election brought down into civic life, and it meant that the ultimate right of any man to havo a voto depended entirely ' upon whether ho had a•' divino call" to ' bo a votor. And in England this theory | was asserted in the principle of an elective I monarchy, which was set up in 1688. But j German Luthornnism transferred to tlio territorial princes all the powers and prestige of the Holy Roman Emperor, and gave co | sanction to any final power in tho com- I munity; tho result is ths-t 'Germany is to- j day tho one representative in Europe of i the Machi&vehan doctrine thai tlio ruler of a State is bound by no consideration tor any other State, that tho narrowest pi (riotism is the only morality for any statesman, and that ho 13 clear of all moral obligation when it is a question of his country's interest against another's. This is candidly acknowledged by Professor Max. Weber tho political economist, and by Admiral' von lirpitz, the German Naval Director; and it was applied by Bismarck, with a cool and dispassionate determination, to Denmark, Austria, and I ranee, in succession. But it wi 1 never be applied to Great Britain as long .as thero is the least doubt as to tho certainty of a German success; everythingwill bo calculated ', 0 a 5 the most rigid and thorough pr j;i.--.f:ons will bo made. They will 'mark time" till sorno such complication as civH war in Ireland or the aggregation by them of a stronger force in conjunction with allies, may afford the presumably B afo opportunity, for it is becoming only too evidently true, what an American fr.ond writes, that "Germany is going to jump on you tho very first chance she gets. In a nearly equal struggle with Germany, if we were riot crushed at an ! early date f '™» would always Ik, on our side, for if German calculations fail now plans and now resource- are not at once | available, whereas the British havo a tenacity and a power of quick adaptation to difficult circumstances which have always help. 1 , to worry through, 'and was acknowledged by German militarists *"*" last war 111 South Africa. w\t- « 1 j Ouehunga. W " UN -