The Lyttelton Times.

Lyttelton Times, Volume V, Issue 277, 27 June 1855, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times.

Wednesday, June 27. We publish to-day His Honor's message to the Provincial Council on the subject ot the payment of a salary to the chaplain

In Saturday's issue a report appeared of the discussion which ensued upon the reading of che message, and the adoption of the resolutions in answer to it. A most important principle, as His Honor truly says, is involved in this question. For the appropriation of any portion of the public funds to such an object is certainly in some degree an acknowledgment of a State religion. It would be needless to enter lure upon a controversy as to the advisability or the unadvisability of.such a step. It is enough that it aopears to be almost universally repudiated even by those who voted for the payment of a chaplain. If, it is not such an acknowledgment it is an application • without acknowledgment of a portion of the revenue belonging to a public of all creeds and denominations to the encouragement of one form of creed. Now there may be a very large majority in this Province both in the Council and out of the Council who would be glad to see the form of worship prescribed.by the Church of England predominant, and such a majority is always too apt to look to present "convenience without observing the danger cf establishing a principle which may bind them hereafter. The principle of a minority succumbing to 4 a majority is one which cannot be tolerated in any matter connected with religious observances. At the present moment we believe that all the members of the Council are members of the Church of England. This does not alter the case one iota. It is the principle of the final decision of a majority which rules in this question. The members of the Council, when t!iey talk about wfiat they wish, and what is convenient for them, must consider that they are dealing with the money of the publ'c, and not with their own private funds. If the members of the Council, on finding that they were all members of one Church, subscribed among themselves to pay a chaplain, it would be very right and proper; they would then compromise the public fo no principle, either of State religion, or of the supremacy in matters of'religion of a majority. Many of the present Council would not like to-think hereafter in the event of an Anabaptist or Quaker, or even Mormon majority overruling the Council, that they had been instrumental in establishing the principle by which such tyranny was established over an orthodox minority. If men would look a little closer into the principles of what they . are doing, instead of beingso ready to ca?ch at what is merely plausible, they would pause before they so far committed themselves. Of course weallknowthatagreatmany plausible, nice respectable speeches can be made about the expediency of paying a chaplain for the Provincial Council, and the public would not mind such speeches being made; but they do object to seeing their money voted away in such a manner as to compromise them, simply to suit the views of 24 gentlemen who happen at present to be the representatives of the people. It was ob. served that it was not just to give a clergyman so much extra duty without remunerating him. Most certainly it is not. But this is no reason that the public should countenance the payment of a clergyman if any particular church by the State, because the gentlemen of the Council wish to hay.: certain services, but do not like to be put to expense on that account. Of course, if a chaplain is appointed, such a chaplain ought to be remunerated; let those, therefore, who appointed him remunerate him. One hon. meir her remarked that the labourer was worth}' of his hire ; such a speech is safe; nobody will deny it. We hope, however, that if the hon. member was agent for another, and that he wanted a little work done on his own land, he would not think it right to [pay the labourer out of the funds of his trust. In such a case the labourer

might be worthy, but would receive his pay in a most unworthy manner. Whilst we are on the subject of the expenditure of the Public Revenue, we have another observation to make. Whenever His Honor the Superintendent "checks the Council in any way when inclined to be extravagant, whenever he simply hints at the state of the exchequer, there appears to be a kind of soreness among the members :— their dignity is hurt; and " they don't see what business it is of His Honor's." They forget.that he is by law an estate of the legislature, and that one of the uses of a second estate is to check, and if possible to modify hasty legislation. Not long' ago His Honor sent a message to the house, on receiving extravagant reports of what was wanted for fitting up a temporary Council Chamber. Many of the Council did not like this, but the public generally were delighted. When it does not touch themselves individually, when it does not interfere with their dignity or comfort, the public have every reason to be satisfied with the Council. They are economical, we may indeed say extremely economical, but in anything that concerns themselves they are large handed, we may say extravagant. Do any of the public know anything about the vote for the expenses of members beyond the fact that £30U was voted ?■ Does anybody know in what proportions and how it is to be spent ? It may be, it probably is a very satisfactory vote, but why was it passed in three minutes without discussion, when every other vote received such minute attention and was the text for so much oratory and patriotism ? Why was the" report of the Committee which advised .the expenditure of £300 more than had been placed on the estimates not even read ? Why in fine, when we know so ranch about every other vote, do we" know nothing about this one ? The members of the Council may be very patriotic, we know that a large majority of them are very wise, but they are not infallible. We for ourselves are very glad to see a second estate in the person of His Honor the Superintendent giving them a little advice now and theu; —and we believe that the majority of the public will agree with us in this.