POINTS OF VIEW

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 60, Issue 4231, 15 January 1940, Page 4

POINTS OF VIEW

OPINIONS OF OUR READERS. ENLISTMENT OF FARM WORKERS. TO THE EDITOR Sir, —I consider that, while the voluntary system is in vogue, every man should have the same chance, and if he had the fighting and loyal spirit in him, surely he would do better as a soldier than as a farm hand, and would not enlist unless he really felt he should be going. But when he is debarred from going, it is like putting a curb on a horse, and causes irritation, and breaks the spirit. This is more so when you have to work for employers who are receiving a square deal from the Government, but attempting all the while to “bite the hand that is feeding them.” The Farmers’ Union and Mr Adam Hamilton have been everlastingly crying out about losing the rights of their freedom; but do they realise they are taking, and have taken, the fredom of the farm workers away, namely, by fighting the classified award, and wages according to position, for shepherd, ploughman, fencer, cowman, etc.? A soldier’s pay is £2 9s a week, against a farm hand’s under the Agricultural and Farm Workers Act, of £2 ss, minus tax. I am not suggesting that a man would consider being a soldier to gain the extra money, as there is more to fight for in this grim struggle than mere ntoney; but all I ask is, why not leave the road open, and give all the same privilege of offering and giving their services as they themselves would wish, at least until such time, as conscription is enforced?—l am, etc., , EX-FARMER. RELIGIOUS IRONY. Sir, —On more than one occasion have I suspected the person who on behalf of the Council of Christian Congregations selects the daily text and verse for publication in the Herald to be an ironical fellow who, in his own way, pokes gentle fun at the pious Intentions of the sponsors of this practice. Confirmation in this suspicion becomes mist obvious when under the usual heading, “Beginning the Day,” we read the text and verse for Friday,. January 12th. Here they are: "He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth.” Psalm 46; 9. Under the shadow of Thy Throne, Thy saints have dwelt secure: Sufficient is Thine arm alone, And our defence is sure. Sir, this impractical idealism which very wisely is not reflected in our national ideas, and very judiciously excluded from our religious life, might with a greater regard for truth be interpreted thus: — God’s arm above, our guns beneath, And our defence is sure. That is in fact the underlying assumption in our present national effort. Frankly we do not as a nation regard God’s arm “alone” as sufficient defence, and wisely so. Surely, then, we would be more honest to cut. our hymns according to our faith?—l am, etc., DEXO.