THE TRAMWAY EMPLOYEES AND GOOD FRIDAY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13855, 19 March 1907, Page 6

THE TRAMWAY EMPLOYEES AND GOOD FRIDAY.

Sir..—Arc wc a Christian community, working under and believing' in the Chrislifin doctrine'; .To tlio world wc profess to be so. Why, then, this controversy of opinion re Good Friday holiday? The day is recognised by the nation. Wliv? As I understand it, it ia because the Christian belief is practically based on tlio Crucifixion, ami Church anil Siato recognise Good Friday as iho fit and proper day to celebrate that sacred occasion. If it is not intended to uphold the Easter season, why should the holidays be given at a!l? i There would certainly bo a loud cry from' all sects of the community if Easter were not recognised, and yet your correspondents who aro complaining about the tramway employees getting a holiday on Gocxl Friday utterly ignore Die purpose for which the day is set aside. They got their holiday, and that is all, in tlio littleness of, their souls, l lial I hey care about. Never mind tlioso unfortunates who can't get a- holiday. '"We've gAt ouis, and expect others to work to help 113 enjoy it"—ilia lis f heir spirit. Personally speaking, I regret to say I liavo advanced with tlio age, and am far from being religious, and many tilings puzzle 1110, but my instinct ami judgment still guide 1110 to a certain extent, ami there is one day in the year I always have, and always will, respect so long as I profess to belong to this Christian nation, and that is Good Friday. The tramway management are quite justified in giving their employees a holiday on that most'sacred of days, if only. to act up to the principles of the age. Of course, it is unfortunately into that certain work must of a. neccfsity be undortnken 011 Good Friday, but "necessity is no siii." 'J'rams arc a convenience—not a necessity. We were given legs and feet and if we arc not prepared to use them 0110 day in the year, then it is time wc all took to invalid, chairs. As to the tramway people holding their picnic on Good Friday, that is a. matter lor their own conscience. Tlio management give Hie holiday, and llieir responsibility ends. For my part, I hold the day as I do the anniversary of the death of those loved ones who have passed beyond, and I cannot reason or understand why certain of the community do not recognise Good Friday, professing, as we do as a- nation, to believe in Christianity. Rather than make.a mockery of the season. I 6ay do away with it altogether, and he honest. I may have put my subject crudely, Sirin fact, I feel my weakness, for I am quite inexperienced and unread in these matters, but I liavo simply staled my opinion as my intuition and common sense guide me. I am, etc., AN.N'O DOJIIXI,