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New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5119, 20 August 1877, Page 2

We have great pleasure in giving extended circulation to a notice which was distributed in the Episcopalian places of worship yesterday, as follows : —“ Diocesan Church Extension Fund.—The Bishop desires to bring under the notice of Church members of the diocese the great importance which he attaches to the above fund. The object of the fund, which is administered by the Standing Committee appointed by the Synod, is to help our brethren in the poorer and the more thinly populated districts of the diocese, in maintaining clergymen and erecting churches and school-houses, by supplementing local subscriptions with annual grants towards stipends, and with donations to building funds. The incomes of the clergy in the newly-formed country districts are, even under favorable circumstances, very precarious, and so much so in some places that a part of the stipend has to be guaranteed before a clergyman can venture to undertake a charge in such districts. Funds are urgently required to assist in locating clergymen in some of the outlying districts of the diocese, and the Bishop would therefore express a hope that every member of the Church will become a contributor towards an undertaking of such deep importance to the spiritual well-being of the members of the Church congregations throughout the diocese. Subscriptions or donations, however small, will be thankfully received by the treasurer (Mr. C. B. Bowles), or by collectors duly authorised by the Bishop.” And we' commend its contents to the consideration of every member of the Church. It will be within the recollection of many of our readers that we referred to this subject in a leader published in the New Zealand Times of the 28th December, 1876, and it may tend to promote the good work if. we reprint what we said on that occasion, namely: “We would impress upon churchmen the importance of following the advice given by their excellent Bishop, and strengthening his hands by making it a rule to subscribe regularly to the Diocesan Fund. In hia opening address to the Synod, delivered on the 3rd October last, he referred especially to this subject, and said:—‘While in many respects this diocese has net been wanting in liberality, I believe that in no other diocese is the amount raised for the Diocesan Fund or Home Mission so small as in this.’ This is strong language, but it is well known that desperate diseases can only be cured by using powerful medicines; therefore Bishop Hadfield was simply doing his duty in calling attention to the facts on !which he commented, and asking every member of the Church to assist in sweeping away such a sad reproach. It appears to us that every churchman and every ehurchwoman should make an effort to subscribe a certain sura annually according to his or her statien in life. If a yearly contribution of, say, only 20sl, 10s., or 4a. were given, and paid quarterly, each payment would only amount to 55., 2s. 6d., or Is., and surely the number must be very small who could not, without inconvenience, accomplish this. The total would make up a very large amount, and enable an immense deal of good to be done in the way of making provision for the spiritual wants of those living in out-districts where the population is sparse and the want of churches, schoolhouses, and clergymen severely felt. It ought always to be remembered that iu newlysettled countries as a rule there are very few endowments, and that unfortunately there are fewer in this diocese than there are in any other part of the colony, hence the importance of giving hearty and generous support to the Diocesan Fund.”

It has often been said, and with much truth, that the advocates of “ temperance ” are usually very intemperate in the manner in which they set to work to promote their cause, which is intrinsically- a good one. Here is a case in point. A Mr. O. S. Ellis, who styles himself “ Grand Secretary of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand North,” hailing from Auckland, is taking Dr. Wallis, M.H.K., to task for the action he recently took in the House in reference to the Local Option Bill. This “ Grand Secretary ” and the lodge he represents publish in the advertising columns of a Northern journal the following telegrams, which have passed between the Hon. Mr. Fox and the aforesaid Mr. Ellis : Wellington, 10th August, 1877.—T0 Rev. S. Edger. —Second reading last night adjourned to next Wednesday. Wallis goes dead against, because no comSensatlon and not a permissive Bill, but an arbitrary ill. His speech very offensive and hostile.—William Fox. Auckland, 13tU August, 1877.—T0 James Wallis, HOLE.— The Executive of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand North consider that you, in opposing the Local Option Bill, have deceived the Good Templars, and violated your written declaration. —0. S. Ellis, Grand Secretary. The following are the principles to which Dr. Wallis, M.H.R., gave his written adherence to the Grand Lodge of New Zealand North, 1.0.G.T., before his election, which are published verbatim : —“ Ist. The giving to the people direct control over the granting of licenses for the sale of Intoxicating liquors." Dr, W.'s answer, “Yes.” “3rd. The allowing of a district, by a two-thirds majority of its adult Inhabitants, to prohibit all public sale of intoxicating liquors within the district; and the providing that, upon the request of not fewer than twenty householders, any district shall be tested by a poll by ballot of Its inhabitants, to be taken by the proper ofiicer.’’—Dr, W.'s answer, “Yes.” “12th. The limiting of, licensing districts within such areas as will render an Act embodying these principles easily workable."—Dr. W.’s answer, “Yes.” Dr. Wallis appended this foot-note:—“ I will support any Bill embodying the principles to which X have hero assented. (Signed), J. Wallis, 30th April, 1877.”-0. S. Ellis, Grand Secretary, Grand Lodge of New Zealand North. • The “Grand Secretary,” pursuant to instructions, we presume, from his lodge, has further telegraphed to Dr. Wallis : The Executive of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand North consider that you, in opposing tke Local Option Bill, have deceived the Good Templars and violated your written declarations _ Now, we cannot help thinking that that

Northern Lodge is acting very unfairly to Dr. Wallis, who, as it appears to us, has been thoroughly consistent in the action he has taken in the matter. He is prepared to support a Bill, which provides that a majority of “ two-thirds ” shall have the power ot suppressing the liquor traffic. Mr. Fox’s Bill, it will be remembered, proposes that this power should be vested in a bare majority; but Dr. Wallis is not prepared to sanction a legalised system of fraud under which no compensation should be given to a publican deprived of his license through no fault of his own. All men holding just and “ moderate,” if not “ temperance,” views will, we think, agree with us in saying that the course adopted by Dr. Wallis in this matter is a manly, honest, and straightforward one, and that the action of the lion. Mr. Fox and the Auckland Lodge in seeking to throw odium on the member for Auckland City West in this matter will not redound to their credit.