LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1757, 23 May 1913, Page 6

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

THE W.C.T.U. AND THE BIBLE-IN-SCHOOLS MOVEMENT. Sir,—ln,your issue of May 21, a letter, signed "Total Abstainer," appears, asking for information on tho attitude of tine W.C.T.U. and tho Bible in schools. In the first place tho conference claims that it holds the same position towards the 8.1.5., but that it has altered towards the platform of the 8.-1.-S. League. As a member of the W.C.T.U. and president of a.branch I am deeply interested in the work done at conference, and as a member of the 8.-1.-S. League doubly ini "rested in this particular question.The resolution passed by conference is simply an expression of the personal opinions of the majority, not tho wholo of the delegates. Tho question of tho systems, New South Wales v. Nelson, had not been brought before the branches and tho delegates were not instructed how to vote. When the subject of B.T.S. came up, Mrs. Sadlier, wife of Bishop Sadlier, of Nelson, asked permission to read a paper. In the discussion which followed many of tho delegates confessed their ignorance of tho working of the Nelson system, and asked for information. Tho result was that a large number adjourned to a local clergyman's study, and made inquiries, and spent some time examining the scheme, which has been carried on for over lfi years.

On submitting their report, to tho conference, the rcsnlntioir was framed, and the platform of the league condemned and that of the Nelson system adopted. The representatives of the various churches htive watched both systems, and examined and compared results for many years, yet the conference, after what must have been but a perfunctory investigation, casts aside the reports of cautious, careful expert religions teachers, brings forward a new issue, practically allies itself with the opponents of the whole movement. and throws its members into confusion and distraction. The that so pi any branches have repudiated it shows that (he resolution does not reject the opinion of its members. It is therefore very important that each member of the W.C.T.U. should only follow the lead of the conference, when she is convinced that by so doing she will forward tho end we have in view, namely, the restoring of the Word of God to our children in tho dnv schools.

Let mo refer members and "Total Abstainer" to the excellent leaderettes which, have lately appeared in your columns, especially to that of Monday. The reader is plainly shown that if the 8.1.5. platform is abandoned, no other scheme has been proposed. Tho question will be shelved, and who can tell when it will be revived. To you, sir, the heartiest thanks of all interested in this subject are due for tho fair and open way in which you are permitting diseu»<iou.—l am. etc.. AGNESSF. K'C'AW. Knox Manse, Lower Ilntt, May 22, 1913. BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Kir,—The main issue in this question, as in most others, is the truth, and you would no doubt lift tho discussion oil to a higher plane if you would state for the benefit of your readers your answers to the following questions:— (a) What precisely is 4he issue that you would like to see submitted to the people? (b) In your opinion what constitutes a case so exceptional that it should be submitted to a plebiscite?

(e) What precisely are the reasons that make you think that the method of conducting Bible lessons by the clerKy, before or after school hours, is not a satisfactory solulion of this oiie-tion?—l am. etc.. TTfOS. A. IH'NTISi:. Wellington, May 18, 1913. IRoferenco is made to this letter in our editorial .coluaasj