Citizens Say—

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 972, 15 May 1930, Page 10

Citizens Say —

(To the Editor.)

CONSCIOUS CREATIVE POWER Sir,— “Profanum Vulgus” has evidently misunderstood me when I wrote “all things.” Of course, I meant all things created, or all material things that are one and all created and, after a period of life, de-created by one and the same eternal power. Science is at least on this point at one with religion: that nothing is really created or destroyed. That is to say, when anything that has been created becomes non-existent it has simply returned to the elementary state from which it came. I believe with most philosophers that that invisible eternal power must be conscious, and an infinitesimal portion of that consciousness is transmitted to all life_when it is created, though each life is sent into the world with its “own bag and baggage,” or destiny as some call it. If that is so, and if we call that eternal creative God, then God and Man must be one, and that is what Christ contended. C. P. W. LONGDILL. “A.E.C.” REPLIES Sir, — Whatever our differences of opinion, £ would ask the Rev. R. D. Scott to do me the justice of not misrepresenting rny remarks. I did not request him to concern himself only “with such matters as stand within quotation marks.” as alleged by him, nor did I descend to the absurdity of counselling him to leave alone what he considered self-contradictory in my argument. On the contrary I took Mr. Scott to task for devoting the whole of his last letter to a side issue and concluded, “I shall be pleased if your correspondent will devote at least a part of his next letter to the principal matter of discussion.” A very different thing. Mr. Scott repeats that the definition of Rationalism under review is “timid, tame and quite respectable.” Readers must not confuse this repetition of opinion with proof. Rid he hope to find in our definition some grandiloquent and dogmatic denial of the historicity of Jesus, a definite statement of the origin of the gospels and o definition and disquisition upon miracles? It would seem so from his following remarks. Roes he know that the two former propositions form subject of difference of opinion among Rationalist scholars, for the reason that tradition and myth so befog a ailable sources that the true facts are largely lost in the mists of history Official Rationalism does not insist upon any defimte view of these or most other problems from its members—it allows each one to form his own conclusion —insisting only that those who would to the name of Rationalist should survey both sides with unbiased mind before making a decision and further, remain .willing to amend .; ia L decislon sh °uld fresh light justifv it. This is a unique attitude of mind found among scientists, where their science is concerned, found among Rationalists, but not found as a phinciple of religions. Is such

a courageous determination to seek truth at all costs a tame or timid ideal? Rather is that man who determines on conformity to orthodoxy whatever the evidence, the tame and respectable individual. I ask Mr. Scott to name any sect or individual church which advises its youth to read Rationalist literature as well as religious before deciding to embrace Christianity? Yet that is what Rationalism does. It asks its members to read not only its own literature, but to study the Bible and Christian apologetics. That is the essence of Rationalism, and implicit in its definition. I do not know to what information Mr. Scott refers as being circulated, but would be glad to learn more about it and whether it bears the imprimatur of the local association. A.E.C. A MASTER MARINER’S COMPLAINT Sir, Citizens of New Zealand are well aware that there are thousands of unemployed in the country, and that it is a big problem to face. These unfortunates are sometimes classed as unemployed, and sometimes as unemployables by their more fortunate fellows who are fortunate enough to be employed. I am unemployed and have been for over a year, with the exception of a few months’ casual work I had about three months ago, but I would not like to think that I am unemployable. Employment in my profession is hard to find and if one has not influence it is almost impossible to get a position, even if one is willing to start at the bottom of the ladder again. The Hon. "W. A. Veitch has stated very recently that unemployed are coming over from Australia and participating in the unemployed relief schemes of the Rominion. Of course, we all know that people cannot be prevented from entering Xew Zealand from Australia, even if they are unemployed, but there is no reason why the Government of Xew Zealand should send over to Australia for a man to iill a Government position when there are dozens of men equallv qualified walking the streets of Auckland and w ellington. The position I refer to is that of master of the Government vessel, Maui Pomare, which fell vacant a month or so ago. I am New Zealand - born and served my apprenticeship in " le Lnion Company’s training-ship Dartford, and have sailed out of New Zealand ail my life. I hold a master’s certificate and am still on the right of forty. Having the responsihilities of a wife and family, I cannot leave New Zealand—a thing I feel I would like to do at times—to seek employment elsewhere, because I cannot get employment here. The position referred to was not even advertised, but was mysteriouslv filled " r \u! fore anyone knew it was vacant, it there wero no qualified men in Xew Zealand then you could understand the Government sending to Australia for someone, but I know a dozen men out

of work In Auckland today who couli fill the position. Can the Hon. W. A. Veitch or any other member of the Government explain how this came about? ZEALAXDIA.