IF THE WORLD ENDED IT 1937

Opunake Times, 19 January 1934, Page 3

IF THE WORLD ENDED IT 1937

READERS RfcPLY TO BEVERLEY NICHOLS. What would you do if you had only lour years to live —if you knew that tiie worid would end in chaos ia 1937. V\ ould you carry on your daily life in the ordinary way? Would you experience a burst of religious fervour ! J Or would you lay your hands on every available penny aud have a good time? Mr Beverley Nichols set this problem in an English paper, and letters have poured in since from people in every walk of life. Obviously leaders have studied the question deeply. Diversified opinions come horn people as a school girl and a veteran of the Crimean War. Joy cf Life. Mr Bussel Marsh, of Dane Road, Sale, says:— '•Happiness has always been close to me. Life has never presented me with new joys. . . This contentment only makes me feel more acutely the appealing pain of the people who have never known happiness. "Thus my supreme duty during these short years left would be to bring happiness into the lives of these people before, in this world, they come to an end." Mr Beverley Nichols' question has already altered the life and outlook of at least one man, All G Eardley, of Lowei Biedbury, Stockport, who says: — "In a wav I am sorry it is onl.v a dream, this time limit. Still, it lias given me an idea. "It would be a magnificent getlure to help a few people to taste I lie joys of our modern world. If I don't go the whole hog, 1 can try my campaign in a smaller, though less purjwsei'ul way. 1 will start right now, and I hope it will continue for 40 years at least."

Mrs J. Greenwood, of Varley Street, Burnley, who is 19 next month, sets out an interesting schedule of the hist four years of her life. "x\. year to read the finest literature. A year to learn to play lovely'music on the piano. A year to travel to the most interesting places in the world. And a year to fall in love. If T could do all these things I would consider myself well served indeed." Four Great Years.

Another aspect is provided by Mrs A. E. Jones, of Stanley Bark Avenue South, Anfieid, Liverpool. "I would review my past life," she writes, "and. realising my tailings, 1 would try to make amends, making my peace with any enemies I may have made or perhaps hurt b\ 1113' thoughtlessuess.

"I should do my utmost in the home to show my husband that he has been appreciated. My four years would be as great as twenty. • •

"The happiness I would derive in training my children to succeed in being thoughtful, loyal, courageous and good citizens, able to stand alone when the guiding hand has been called home."

t Mr Pat Loftus, of Pollok Street Glasgow, has a touch of romance in his letter, which says:— "Four years in which to be free . . . free from ambition, the inexorable master whose lash goads me on with my task. "I would pack ;ind take a train —to Campbeltown, near the Mull of Kintyre. There I would rejoin someone from whom ambition has separated me. "If you think I could do better than that in the world's last foui years, you know not the girl I mean, nor that I am Hearing 25."

Mr Beverley Nichols has awarded his three prizes of a guinea each to Mr ltussell Marsh, Miss J. Greenwood, and Mr Pat Loftus, whose letters he considers the most interesting. Mr Nichols regrets that he will be unable to reply personally to all the thousands of letters he has received. He will, however, reply to as many as possible.