SUNDAY OBSERVANCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21782, 23 April 1934, Page 12

SUNDAY OBSERVANCE

gj r) —As a student, of history Iwould be very much obliged to Mr. John Edwards if he would give us the names ot the countries to which the non-observ-ance of Sunday has proved a curse sftid a downfall. I have often heard that statement made, but have never heard, or read, any attempt to substantiate it. If Mr. Edwards does so, he will confer a favour on me and many others. A. Wabburton.

gj r> —Jlay I suggest to Mr. Melvin that so long as many members of the community are not in a position to exercise a choice ill the matter of Sunday observance his plea for the "rights of religion'' will not engage the sympathy of humane-minded people. There is surely something wrong with ths public conscience when amid all the dust of the milk controversy no voice has been raised on behalf of the unfortunate roundsmen, who, compelled to rise in the small hours every morning of the week, work anything from seven to twelve hours a day—a condition that in any intelligent and humane "planning" would have been among the primary considerations. The public could, if it were sufficiently consciencestricken, demand milk powder for Sunday use and the distribution of fresh milk for infants and the sick would be a comparatively small matter. _ The fact ths.t the public has no conscience in this matter (one that goes to the root of the inescapably material basis of society) renders Mr. Melvin's argument trivial and futile. He is trying to mako a silk purse out of a sow's ear. F. 6.