PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 87, Issue 13269, 26 August 1916, Page 3

PUBLIC OPINION

As expressed by correspondents, whose letters arc wicc:;.,', but lor whose views we have no responsibility. SUNDAY GAMES. (To the Editor.) Sir,—Your correspondent, .John Ramsay, in his endeavour to find r.ii argument to bolster up the proposal to prohibit innocent recreation on Sunday by a by-law, takes up nearly half of a long letter to try and prove that the young fellow who indulges in strenuous games is using up his reserve strength —though he does not know it—and wl] shortly be in the same predicament ;:s the Germans, who were too prodigal ■ ■ their troops at the start, and are s- - f'oring for it now; so -Air ltamsay ; those who think with him, will m; these young fellows rest on Sunci whether they want to or not. \- anxiety about men's health is not ?' r Ramsey's reason for wanting to scop Sunday games; he gives his real reason later on, when he says, "The time which might be devoted to game-- on the Sabbath is required for a higher purpose." Yes, that's what's the matter. Mr ltamsay wants the boys at Sunday School and church and prayer meetings all day. And y< the talks of rest! Here is the programme (I went through it when I was a hoy. and know all aliout it) : Sunday Schooi, 9 am. to 10.15; march from Sunday School to church, commencing 10.30, a service which lasted about two boms: just get home in time for dinner at i p.m.; then off again for Sunday School at 2 p.m. till 3.15; went to church in afternoon for Catechism and "Children's Sunday Service." Soon after tea olf again for evening service —nearly two hours more—then home for Family Prayers, and wearily off to bed. Rest! Rest! What a farce to call this rest. It is Tragedy. But the main point in my contention is that the Hamilton Borough Council have no right to make the playing of innocent games on Sunday an offence against the law. I plead tor a rational and sane view of Sunday observance, and 1 protest against being compelled to spend my Sundays as Mr Ramsay thinks best, and to have to—

"Put my playthings all away. To-morrow is the Sabhath day!" It is the tolerance of the whole thing that -Mr Ramsay misses, lie does not see the gross impertinence of the proposed action by the Council. It is quite right to hun, because it is done to smooth the susceptibilities of those who think as he does, but to my mind it is simply colossal impudence, which it is a mistake to ignore, or sucli Antcdeluvian by-laws as the one it is now proposed to make are the result. T sincerely hope that the members of the Hamilton Borough Council will not allow this proposed by-law to be adopted, "Eternal vigilance is the price of Liberty," and Liberty is often restricted because the danger of attempts to do so are not recognised in time to 'top them. This proposed by-law is a case in point.—l am, etc., J. THORXE. Victoria Street, Hamilton. FAREWELLING SOLDIERS. (To the Editor.) Sir,—l would like to draw public attention to the treatment of next-of-kin and departing ,soldiers, and the matter of wishing them farewell in Wellington. On Saturday last the 16th Reinforcements left Wellington, and as usual, there were relations from all parts of the colony to see the lads away, expecting tliat some little time would be allowed the relations to see the boys. The tomfoolery of a march through the city had to be endured, and after dinner on board the transport, at 2 p.m., the lads were marched off and lined up in the public street, and relatives were permitted to say their good-byes in the ranks. Information re this opportunity is only obtained after badgering every officer and official met, although next of-kin passes were issued, and in cases special permits. Two cases came prominently under notice. One, a Christcllurch father, who had come to see his only son and could get no information, and only saw his boy at a distance on the transport. The second case, was that a married man who served in Samoa and re-en!i,sted in the 16th. This man's wife stood on the wharf and begged her husband "to try once more, Jack, to get leave," and lie came back to call to his weeping wife, "It is no good girlie, I have tried five times." Now, Sir, these are voluneers, not conscripts, and if there were any special reasons why an hour or two could not be granted to say good-bye relatives should have been informed, and not treated with brusque answers and no account replies. I wish to say here that the IGths claim to hold records for shooting, marching and "hard work." They claim they have more fatigue work, and less training than any contingent—l am, etc., THOS. 0. HODGSON. Tamahere, August 24. 1916. (We are unable to publish the concluding portion of your letter under the War Regulations Act.—Ed. W.T.)