CHURCH EXTENSION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1693, 9 March 1906, Page 2

CHURCH EXTENSION.

iTo the Editor Gisborne Times.

Sir, —Your report of the meeting con- ■ vened for the purpose of taking steps to enlaige the English Church states that i there were about 50 persons present (the same number which attended the late bankrupt meeting). This is surely not a representative meeting, for aooording to the Rev Mr Thomas’ statement there are 2,500 Church of England people residing within a radius of three miles from the church. Then the question is, why do not people lake more interest in ohurch matters ? This, I think, oan easily be solved, namely, the Rsv Mr Thomas, sb leader of the oburcb, is a prohibitionist, and his pronounced principles are at variance with tho welfare of a large section of the church people, and the welfare of a la'ga portion of. the population who pay rates to schools, ohurohos, teaohers, and clergymen.- i. Yet these same olergymen proclaim prohibition views whioh are at variance with the people’s mode of making a living, together with causing «tr.f‘, anger, and ma'ioe amongst neighbos, who are heretofore tranquil and peaoe&ble, Is it therefore surprising that as many parsons attended a bankruptcy meeting as attended the church meeting, and still our clergyman feels surprised why more did not attend. If this is the interest taken in the Church in Gisborne, I eoaroely think wo are likely lo bavo a new church within tho present clergyman’s 1 regime.—Yours, etc., 1 E. P. JOYCE.