W.C.T.U. AND BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1755, 21 May 1913, Page 4

W.C.T.U. AND BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Sir,—Last week and again to-day you publish a resolution passed by the Wellington Women's Christian Temperance Union opposing the platform of the Biblc-in-Statc-.Schools League. I am not .fully aware of (ho facts, and am writing in tho hope that some of Ihe leaders of tho W.C.T.U. will let the real facts lie known. What. are the personal views of the leaders and their reasons for them? Would you give them the hospitality of your 'columns to state' thoni so as to enlighten many who, lilco myself, do not quite knowwhere 1 am in regard to the union. I'roni inquiries 1 am told that Morrinsville, Hamilton, I'iclon, Blenheim, Timaru, Wanganui, ami Auckland brandies of tho W.C.T.I'. have passed resolutions either unanimously or with insignificant minorities dissenting from the convention resolution, and differing from the resolution of the Wellington branch. I have also sesia a circular issued to members of the union and signed by Mrs. M'Combs, and Mrs. Seed, amongst seven of the most prominent members of the organisation. This circular states that the Convention made a mistake which, if persisted in, would pr.ssibly create distention in the union, and further complained that tho_ Convention did not ascertain the mind of the various branches before its resolution. The circular also emphasises the fact that two district conventions and a number of local unions had previously passed resolutions in favour of tho Bible-in-Stnte-Schools League platform. I am somewhat muddled as to my own position. Did the Convention resolution represent tlw real feeling of the members of the union ? Will its leaders pleaso enlighten mv ignorance.—l am, ctc., y b TOTAL ABSTAINER,

[Possibly some of the leaders of tho W.C.T.U. will enlighten our correspondent as to how- far tho, action of the union represents the views of tho main body of members as distinct from the personal views of its leaders.]