CORRESPONDENCE.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VIII, Issue 679, 20 June 1914, Page 7

CORRESPONDENCE.

Letters for publication, and articles for insertion must be accompanied (not necessarily for publication), by the name of the writer, and, provided they are not offensive in any way, will be •viblished as space permits. The Editor does lot identify himself with the opinions expressed by correspondents, and accepts no responsibility for them. The Editor Sir,—We feel that the letter over the signature of a "Catholic Priest/' appearing in your paper on Saturday last, demands an explanation as it is Jvery misleading. We wish to Btate that our party at all times welcomes criticism on all its actions. Mr Way, during his address, did not in any way refer to any religious matter whatever, as those who heard him throughout can testify. Tne rev. gentleman, however, did not enter the hall till near th-j close of the address, and the reference to religion emanated from a question on the Bible in State Schools. The Social Democratic Party deal* exclusively with the bread and butter question, and has no connection in any way with any religious creed whatever. We deal exclusively with politics just as the Reform or Liberal parties dp. We welcome, into our organisation ministers o? bll Teeds. As a Social Demucratie party we believe that if the advocates of the Bible in Schools question obtained a requisition signed by 10 per cent , of the adults of this Dominion, then a referendum should be granted by Parliament <,n the question, and we would most probably find members of our party fighting on both sides of this issue. Furthermore, Mr Way qualified his remarks by stating that he was speaking personally, and not on b3 half of the p*tty. He answered the question from his own personal point of view, which fact seams to be overlooked by the Rev. gentleman. The third part o£ the letter is most unfairly misleading, a 9 we in no way hide anything whatever in our methodfl and at all times throw oar platforms open to all comers, and invite the closest and most searching investigation into our philosophy. Too often has the question of religion, been confounded with tnat of economics, to our national sorrow . and regret, and too often have the churches failed to realise that religion and economics are distinctly separate philosophies, and in nowise should one wield any influence over th§ other. 11l fares the land to hastening ill a prey, Where wealth accumulates and men decay; Princes and lorda may flourish or may fall, A breath hath made, but a bold peasantry, their country's pride, When once destroyed can never be supplied. FRANK LANGSTONE. President Te Kaiti Branch R.D.^.