PUBLIC OPINION

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 22611, 16 May 1945, Page 6

PUBLIC OPINION

CURRENT VIEWPOINTS BAND AT HOSPITAL (To the Editor). Sir,—May I express the appreciation of many patients in the hospital for the splendid gesture of the Hamilton Citizens’ Band in rendering another enjoyable sacred, patriotic and stirring programme on Sunday afternoon. It is a frequent visitor here and its presence is always locked forward to. I understand that this public spirited body gives its services voluntarily to about 60 functions each year in the way of concerts, parades, fetes and other gatherings. However, there is one thing which mars their efforts—lack of uniforms—and I consider this a disgraceful lack of civic pride on the part of we Hamilton people. Come on, Hamilton, give them the support they deserve!—l am, etc., MUSICIAN PATIENT. OBSERVANCE OF SUNDAY (To the Editor) Sir, —In reference to the published articles in the Waikato Diocesan Magazine, it is a most serious state of affairs when a bishop of the diocese countenances using the Lord’s Day for pageantry and high carnival, be the funds for ever so worthy a cause. The sanctity of the day of worship is one of the elementary principles of Christian conduct, and in a day when men treat lightly holy verities, we would expect to hear the bishop with no uncertain voice calling the people to a way of life honouring God and obedient to His holy will. The fact that the Air Force works every day of the week should make it more than ever possible to stage a pageant on a Saturday. As for spending the day in a place of worship, there are not a few in Hamilton who do it and do it voluntarily and count it a privilege and a joy.— I am, etc., J. W. ENRIGHT. LICENSING LAWS [To The Editor] Sir, —Dean Allerton’s reply to my statement and questions is quite delicious. I could almost fear I may have misjudged him. If his address to the men of St. Peter’s was given in the same humorous vein as that in which he writes, nothing should ever have been said about it. But it was so seriously reported that I really thought he meant it. In case he did, I must make my reply. I am sorry that in my letter I appear to have misquoted, writing “most drunkards” for “most drunkenness.” That was a mistake, but not mine. Simple minds, however, invariably associate one term with the other. Still, I think it would be fair inference that most • drunkenness implies most drunkards, unless the Dean in his own whimsical way would say, “It might mean a few drunkards getting drunk more frequently.” In any case, would he blame “misguided temperance reformers and others” for that also? But speaking of evidence, if personal observation in “about 20 countries only” is the sole basis of the Dean’s contention, a Royal Commission might want to know the length of his tarry in these countries as well as the time and scope of his observations in our own.

Dean Allerton is evidently much attached to the use of the word—so expressive of “playful affection,” — which he so cleverly and so unsuccessfully tries to make me claim for myself. We must leave him to his fancy, much as some of us dislike his use of it. I turn to his very naive and interesting question, “Will Mr Gilbert please tell me what he would like to be called?” The answer is of course, “Yes, just Mr Gilbert.” But what does Dean Allerton wish to call me?

The Dean’s reply to my questions 2 and 3 is very pretty and a nice example of clever question begging. His little smoke screen will trouble no man’s eyes. It is kind of the Dean thus, on his own terms, to ex-

press his agreement with me, when he well knows, as your readers know, that I do not agree with him. A well known authority has said that a man is known by his adjectives. It is the Dean’s use of the adjective “bad” in the next paragraph that breaks the pretty lilt of his harmony. Let the Dean make it, “We dislike breweries, gin etc.” and then we are unanimous and the ayes have it. After Dean Allerton’s enumeration of the places—particularly the last three, ships, slums and pubs—where he tells us most of his life has been spent, there is surely something very appropriate in his turning to Falstaff for a quotation. This, I judge to be humour of a high order; especially in the light of the Dean’s mirth-provoking sidestepping of my question regarding the alcoholic content of light wines. I have read of Falstaff that when he was nearing the end of the road and needs must babble, “A babbled of green fields.” His modern humorous admirer turns to tannin in tea, caffeine in coffee and grease in cocoa. But we like old Falstaff all the same, and sympathise with him. and personally I always feel that King Hal bounced him too heavily when he said, “I know thee not old man ; fall to thy prayers; How ill white hairs become a fool and jester.” There are other questions I would ask touching the address to the men of St. Peter’s, but the Dean tells us he is a busy man and has to work for his living. It would therefore be unkind if one of the many others who bask in the light of his tender insinuation should impose upon his praiseworthy activity. Yet do I trust that he will not be too busy to appear before the Royal Commission on the Licensed Trade. They will love his gentle humour though they might possibly require of him some authenticated evidence also.—l am, etc., H. G. Gilbert.