THE LICENSING BENCH.

Globe, Volume XXIV, Issue 2454, 16 February 1882, Page 3

THE LICENSING BENCH.

To the Editor of the Globe.

Sib, —I entirely approve of all that your correspondents “ Pax ” and “Ballot Box” have said. They have my blessing, my esteem, and my cordial love. I am not acquainted with “ Ballot Box ” to my knowledge, and as to “Pax,” he must be a scholar of no mean degree ; about my equal, I think, in theological degrees. They speak of some persons mentioned in Scripture, The first Herod, I know him not; the second Herod I believe is a relation of mine by my mother’s side. Pilot must be the person that guides the ship to a safe anchorage. Him I know since I was three pennyworth of coppers high, but I have never heard of him or the others having anything to do with the conducting of a Christchurch election. I am, like “ Pax,” not much in theology, hence my ignorance of all my relations. One thing I am certain of, that if all clergymen, of no matter _ what denomination, were to take the advice of nine-tenths of the people, they would leave the ruling of politics and licensing benches to the laity. Are we descending again to the dark days of the olden times, when the Church ruled, or tried to be the universal ruler of the world ? God forbid ! There is a scarcity of clergymen,by every Synods’ showing, in almost every district throughout Now Zealand, And, in the face of their own showing, some of the few wo have at present have time enough to contest elections. If Archdeacon Harris, instead of seeking to be a commissioner on the Licensing Bench would give a part of his spare time to the teaching of the children in the Government schools a portion of scripture, wo (the lai(y) would be forced to say that ho was wise and prudent in his generation. The Government has empowered the clergy of every denomination, in the sanction of the committees, leave to teach their communion at stated times in the different school-rooms j but have we heard of any clergyman that has taken the opportunity of so doing? No, sir, they will aspire to anything rather than that which they ought to do. In conclusion, I trust that no elector in any ward of our city will over assist in placing a clergyman in any public or political place. They by their own showing have too much to attend to in Church matters—matters theological is their business. It is a high position to hold, and why step down from their place of dignity to make an attempt at doing what our laymen are better competent of doing. Yours, &3., Phot.