SHEEP TRAINS ON SUNDAY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20481, 5 February 1930, Page 14

SHEEP TRAINS ON SUNDAY.

Sir, —So it has como to this. On Sunday afternoon, February 2, a heavy sheep train was running on (lie Paeroa-Frank-ton line. This then, is the next move in the secularising of New Zealand's Sunday. A storm of protest was heard throughout the land two years ago when the policy of special week-end excursion trains running on Sunday was inaugurated. The then Government snapped its fingers *in the faco of a protesting Church. Specially attractive fares were offored at half ordinary rates to tempt the people to travel. The resulting crowded trains were claimed to constitute a demand for such Sunday railway facilities. During the intervening years the practice of Sunday trains has been enormously increased. Of course, protests have been made, and ignored. And now we have sheep trains on Sunday. Will Church people again protest, and again lie politely ignored? Well, if sheep trains aro to run, why not sheep lorries? Why not other freight services? Where is the practice to end ? Again, who sanctioned this Sunday sheep train? Is the law of Sunday observances to be regarded or set aside by the Government just as it pleases, or should I say, when the inducement to do so is made attractive enough? If any semblance of Sunday as ,1 day of rest is to bo preserved, the people of this land must protest, and in unmistakable terms tell the Government that Sunday trading, if objectionable and illegal for the rank and file of commercial and working folk, is equally, nay moro, objectionable and illegal for a. Department of State. Surely thoughtful and far-seeing folk will see to it that more is heard of this matter and that the responsible party is called to givo some explanation. H. B. Hughes. Te Aroha, February 3, 1930.