Citizens Say

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 584, 9 February 1929, Page 8

Citizens Say

GAS HORRORS Sir, I read with interest this evening a letter under this heading, and should like to venture my opinion. No matter how’ one can argue against the horrors of war, the fact remains that we have to bo prepared. As every nation has, and still is, spending hundreds of thousands of pounds for defence purposes, we naturally have to keep up with them if we wish to exist for any length of time. Probably the most important way is not only to build guns and ships, but to get the men as thoroughly accustomed to the conditions of modern warfare—or as nearly so as possible. Then, naturally, when the next war comes (as it certainly will, sooner or later) w r e will not be quite so “at sea” as if we just sat down and wished for no more war. I can quite see that “Parent,” being a mother of a gas victim, naturally looks on gas with horror. So does everybody else; but the fact remains that if our boys are trained how to combat gas, they will stand a better chance of living when it comes to meeting gas on the actual battlefield. COMMON SENSE FREYBERG, V.C. Sir, — | The cabled announcement that Col- ! onel B. C. Freyberg, V.C., had been appointed to command one of the English regiments must have filled with pride all New* Zealand-born people; and the favourable Press comments relating to his appointment are fully justified. The gallant colonel is ail example of what courage, perseverance and fearlessness can do. I recollect that in 1912 Mr. Freyberg was in a modest way of business in Morrinsville, New Zealand. One day the local paper intimated that he intended to swim from Te Aroha to Thames, and he successfully accomplished the undertaking. One wet Saturday afternoon I saw him playing in a iootball match at Morrinsville. He was a real battler for victory, and his face became almost unrecognisable, with blood and mud. New Zealand has produced a few great men, and Colonel Freyberg is one of them. J. H. CLARIDGE. THE TRUTH ABOUT DARWIN j Sir, — j The übiquitous Sun has followed me to Rotorua. 1 was much interested in ••A.E.C.’s” reference to Darwin’s religious views. Tt should be quite plain ito a careful and intelligent reader of

(To the Editor.)

Darwin’s “Hife” that Darwin's mind oscillated between Theism and a mild form uf Agnosticism. Probably he never came to a final decision. But his heart was always Christian. He was a supporter of missions, and never repudiated his membership of the Church of England. He associated himself to the end with the work of his parish. There was nothing militant about his Agnosticism. He was very unwilling to give public expression to his religious opinions. He felt that his theological views were of no great value for controversial purposes as he was not an expert in philosophy or theology. It is. very important to remember this. One of Darwin’s most famous followers, G. J. Romanes, tells us.that Darwin’s most troublesome religious difficulty had no connection with science. It concerned the late of the heathen. NORMAN BURTON. CRYSTAL GAZING Sir, — We have rid ourselves of witches wizards, gnomes, fauns, goblins, mermaids, and what not—and now find ourselves faced with spiritualism. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (at one time a materialist J showed great gifts as a writer. His works indicated a freshness of Style and his constructiveness to say the least of it—was suggestive of originality. Then he started '‘chasing spooks.’’ When in Auckland lie fcld us that he had seen in England a fairy sitting on a toadstool! From time immemorial the human mind has dearly loved to commune with spirits. But in this age of the electron, wireless and radium; in this era when our scientists have gone so far in dissolving the miasma of superstition one can scarcely understand how this belief in spiritualism can prevail. At all events it is high time crystal-gazing, and such things were put down— and the public protected against itself. HERBERT MULVIHILL. TRAFFIC CONGESTION Sir. Once more we have to thank The aun for having the courage to advocate some plan which will be an ultimate gam to the city as a whole. Your leader stressing the need for proceedmg right away, without any further dU y-danymg, with the Belgium Street outlet is very timely. There is no other practic a l way to relieve the Graf-tonßridge-Symoods Street congestion. I his new main thoroughfare (for Queen Street will always be the main line WIU proceed in a direct p“/‘" ht through to the New North taking the northern traffic out of the narrow and dangerous]-.-savin'^ 6 Edc ? Terrace, ineidentalfv sa\ing a. quarter of a mile, which here j means several minutes of time. This j (Continued in next column)

original scheme to widen both sides of Belgium Street (until it bends to the right at East Street) and from this point continue on in the same straight lines to the New North Road at Kendall Place, is undoubtedly the only one which is worthy of consideration, as a glance at a good map will show. Another scheme which has been advocated—to widen the street on the righthand side only, and to accentuate the twist in Belgium Street from East Street onwards, making almost a capital S of it, is too humorous for words. Besides spoiling the effect of the “One Great Thoroughfare” idea, it shows want of foresight on the part of its advocates, When the Masonic Hall was built, it was placed well back at what, it was understood, would be the future street-line—about 15ft back from the present line, which would then conform to the line of Queen Street. Unless this is conformed to, that side will always be about 15ft out of line. There are no other expensive buildings in the area affected, and there must be much less compensatioa paid for a straight road than for ope with an S tail to it. As it will be more valuable, more “betterment” will have to be paid by the property owner* who benefit. Thus it will not cost the city any more to have this a grand continuous Queen Street right through to the New North Road. The council should look ahead and try to view this thing in the light of twenty years hence. NORTHERNER

BIBLE TRANSLATIONS Sir, —

Your correspondent, in attempting a reply to • W.E.C.C.,” has fallen into several errors. When he alludes to the credence given by sonu men of science to “Spiritualism” ware with him. I would point out, however, that the proper term to designate this cult is “Spiritism.” X cannot agree with your correspondent’s view in regard to translations of the Bible into western languages. We find, as the go by, the scholarship of age is enabled to find a clear explanation of the Scriptures. Hebrew scholars, by the help of early manuscripts and innumerable quotation* enshrined in the works of the early Christian fatliei's, have produced translations that will satisfy most, unprejudiced people. The same method* are applicable to, say, Greek writers--Homer, Socrates and others. Strange is it not, that “The Iliad” and “TheRepublic” of Socrates are not questioned? There is. of course, a deep reason. Archaeology is constantly coming to our help, for the Bible w being proved every month, by scientific explorers in Palestine. Egypt ana Babylonia, to be authentic. REUBEN E. DOWLB.